Business Connect Program NSW

Purpose and Program Overview

The Business Connect program is a dedicated New South Wales (NSW) Government initiative that provides free, trusted and personalised business advice to help individuals start, run, adapt or grow a small business in NSW. It focuses on practical one-on-one advisory support, skills development and access to tools and resources that assist small business owners at any stage of their business lifecycle. The program operates as an advisory and support service rather than a cash grant, with the NSW Government fully funding the delivery of services for eligible small businesses and individuals considering starting a business.

Business Connect plays a broader role in strengthening the small business ecosystem in NSW by improving business capability, decision-making and resilience across metropolitan and regional areas. Through accredited and experienced business advisors, the program supports planning, marketing, financial management, digital adoption and business adaptation, helping businesses respond to challenges and identify growth opportunities. This support complements other NSW Government programs and services designed to encourage sustainable business growth and economic development.

The program has traditionally provided up to around 8 hours of advisory support per financial year for eligible businesses, delivered at no cost to participants. While the core service remains advisory and non-cash in nature, it can be an important precursor to accessing other grants or finance by strengthening business plans, strategies and compliance readiness.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Advisory support only (no direct cash funding); typically up to approximately 8 hours of free one-on-one and event-based support per financial year for eligible small businesses.
• Application open and close dates: Ongoing access to services; external reporting indicates the program will cease operations on 30 September 2025, so support is expected to be available until that date unless updated by the NSW Government.​
• Eligible industries or business types: Open to small businesses and individuals planning to start a business across all industries in NSW.
• Required co-contributions: No fee for core advisory services; some events or workshops may require a refundable or nominal deposit as determined by individual service providers.​
• Location/state/territory applicability: Available to current or prospective small businesses located in New South Wales, including metropolitan and regional areas.

Priority Sectors

• The Business Connect program does not specify priority industry sectors and is open to small businesses across all industries in NSW.​
• Support is accessible to businesses at different stages, including startup, growth, adaptation and expansion, regardless of sector.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: Not applicable; the program provides advisory support rather than direct financial grants.​
• Categories or streams of funding: Support is generally delivered through one-on-one business advice, coaching or mentoring, skills training, workshops, webinars, and access to tools and resources.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Businesses typically receive up to about 8 hours of advisory support per financial year, including advice sessions and events, with services expected to remain available until 30 September 2025 based on current public information.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a current small business owner in NSW or an individual planning to start a business in NSW.
• Business (or intended business) must be located in New South Wales, including metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
• Businesses across all industries and at any stage (startup, growth, adaptation, expansion) are eligible to access services.​
• The business must meet the general definition of a small business under NSW policy (typically a small number of employees), noting that detailed thresholds may be confirmed in official program materials.​
• An active ABN is generally expected for existing businesses accessing NSW Government business programs; applicants should ensure their registrations and compliance obligations are current in line with NSW and Australian Government requirements.
• Standard business obligations may apply, such as maintaining appropriate insurance and complying with relevant legislation and regulations; applicants should confirm specific requirements in the official program guidelines.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

As an advisory program, Business Connect does not fund specific expenses directly but supports a range of business development activities through free advisory time and training.​

Eligible uses of support include:

• Business planning, strategy development and improvement of business models.
• Financial management support, including cash flow management, budgeting and financial planning.
• Marketing, branding, digital presence and customer acquisition strategies.
• Assistance with navigating licences, permits and NSW Government programs and services.
• Support for business adaptation, resilience and recovery, including responses to economic or disaster-related challenges.
• Guidance on expanding locally or into new markets, including export or interstate opportunities.

Assessment Process

• Nature of support: Business Connect operates as an entitlement-style advisory service for eligible small businesses in NSW rather than a competitive grant round.
• Engagement process: Businesses generally register or book through approved providers or Service NSW, after which an advisor assesses business needs and tailors support.
• Key considerations: While there is no formal competitive assessment, access may be subject to eligibility checks, availability of advisors, and program capacity or time limits per business within a financial year.

Recent Program Updates

• Public reports indicate that the NSW Government’s Business Connect program is scheduled to cease operations on 30 September 2025, marking the end of approximately eight years of free advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises.​
• Businesses are being encouraged to complete any ongoing advisory engagements before the September 2025 deadline and to consider alternative advisory services, including the Service NSW Business Bureau and private consultants, for ongoing support.
• Users should monitor the official NSW Government website for any updates or changes to program timing, replacement services or transitional arrangements.

Application Tips

• Confirm that the business is located in NSW and meets the small business or prospective business criteria before registering for Business Connect services.
• Prepare key information in advance, including ABN (if applicable), business structure, key products or services, current challenges, financial position and goals to make advisory sessions more effective.
• Use advisory sessions to align business strategies with NSW Government priorities such as compliance, resilience, digital adoption and sustainable growth, and to strengthen eligibility for other grants and support programs.
• Clearly outline desired outcomes and timeframes so that the advisor can focus on practical, implementable actions that improve capability, productivity and risk management.
• Where possible, attend workshops and webinars in addition to one-on-one sessions to build skills across multiple areas of business management.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application and in leveraging Business Connect support to position the business for other funding opportunities. For official guidelines, registration processes, service provider details and up-to-date information on the Business Connect program and related NSW Government business services, visit the NSW Government and Service NSW business websites.