Small Business Coaching provides 12 months of personalised mentoring to help you start, run, or grow your business.

Each participant receives:

- 1 initial business planning session, followed by

- 5 one-on-one mentoring sessions, delivered approximately every two months. These sessions can be held online, by phone, or face-to-face.

- Tailored guidance on business planning, marketing, operations, compliance, and financial management.

- Ongoing accountability from an experienced small business coach.

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If eligible, participants may also receive:

- Up to $300 in start-up support costs (e.g. insurance).

- A Self-Employment Allowance for up to 39 weeks.

- Rental assistance for up to 26 weeks while operating their business.

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To access the program, you must:

- Be 18 years or older.

- Not be enrolled in full-time secondary education.

- Be legally able to work in Australia.

- Not be an undischarged bankrupt or on a temporary work or student visa.

- Have a new business idea or existing micro-business (up to four employees) that is assessed as viable by your Self-Employment Assistance provider, independently structured, lawful and operated solely within Australia, and under your controlling interest while participating.

- Maintain public liability insurance of at least $5 million during the program.

This program is fully funded by the Australian Government for eligible participants. There are no fees for mentoring or coaching.

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MIC delivers Small Business Coaching for Self-Employment Assistance participants located in the Inner Metropolitan Melbourne Employment Region, which includes:

- Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs

- Alphington, Kew, and Doncaster through to Box Hill and Blackburn

- St Kilda, Elsternwick, and Caulfield down to Brighton, Moorabbin, and Cheltenham

- Extending south to Sandringham, Parkdale, and Patterson Lakes

If you’re located outside this region, you can find your nearest provider via the Workforce Australia provider directory.