View this email online
  • Roadmap to Reopening: Last Steps 
  • Government Grants for Manufacturers
  • Upcoming Webinars 
  • Brimbank.Localised Virtual Meetup
  • Small Business Digital Adaptation Program
  • COVIDSafe Plans 

Victoria moves to Last Step restrictions. 

Understand the new statewide Last Step restrictions for: 

  • Social gatherings and leaving home
  • Education and childcare
  • Hospitality
  • Ceremonies and religious gatherings
  • Creative studios
  • Community facilities
  • Shopping, retail and personal services
  • Exercise and recreation
  • Entertainment and leisure
  • Public events
  • Real Estate Services
  • Accommodation and tourism
  • Care facilities
  • Hospital visitors

Download: Roadmap to Reopening Summary: Last Steps


For more information click here

Friday 27 November
12.30-1.30pm 

You're invited to a manufacturing webinar focusing on strategies for success and new Federal and State Government grants. 

Guest speakers from Matthews Steer Accountants & Advisors will discuss strategies on how manufacturing businesses can adapt to change and achieve success in a post-pandemic environment.

Topics include:

• Preparing for change
• Road to recovery
• What success looks like
• Government grants and incentives.

A key focus will be on large capital equipment grants announced as part of the recent Federal Government Budget as well as new grants in the upcoming Victorian Government Budget. These grant programs provide opportunities for manufacturers to modernise their operations and bring new innovative products to market, as well as stimulate the economy.

Register now!



Navigating COVID19: Keep your small business on track 
Wednesday 25 November, 6-8pm

This 2-hour workshop is specifically designed for sole traders and small business owners in metro and regional Victoria who are finding it difficult to make ends meet during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Starting our Business: How to make it happen 
Wednesday 2 December, 6-9.30pm

There are no guarantees in business, but often it’s what you do before you get started that will ensure those vital first steps are on the right path for the best chance of success.

Business Planning Essentials: How to build a road map to success
Wednesday 9 December, 6-8pm

Put your business on the path to long-term success at this essential workshop that will take you, step by step, through the vital process of building a business plan to drive your business forward.

Taking your Business Online: What you need to know 
Wednesday 16 December, 6-8pm 

Build your understanding of online advertising, search engines, websites, blogs and social media through practical exercises and real-life examples, then learn how to bring them all together into an effective online strategy that matches your objectives.

For more information and to register click here


Thursday 3 December, 9.30-10.30am


The Localised Brimbank Meetup! It's a great way to connect with a vast range of businesses within Brimbank and explore opportunities to buy from, sell to or partner with local businesses.

The Localised Business Meetup events are easy and effective. It's a great way to introduce yourself, your business and your expertise by getting up and promoting your business to the crowd in the form of a lightning pitch (only 20 seconds!). 

Register now!

The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and then receive access to digital products, tools and training they can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations. 

Businesses will be able to register and trial selected digital products from suppliers who have partnered with the Victorian Government, then choose one of these products to purchase.

Products currently available to businesses through this program include website, e-commerce, finance and digital business management tools. The program also offers free digital adaptation training and workshops to help registered businesses adopt and implement online tools in their business.

Before submitting an application, please check eligibility and read the program guidelines and the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Register now!

It is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are occurring in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Your COVIDSafe Plan must demonstrate:

  • your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) to your workplace
  • the type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
  • how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
  • how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.

Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes. Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

For more information on COVIDSafe plans, please visit the coronavirus website. 

Please contact Business Victoria if you require any further assistance on 13 22 15.

Council has established temporary outdoor dining permits to support the operation and hospitality businesses in a COVID safe environment. 

Businesses are encouraged to read the Covid-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit Guidelines before completing an application which are issued free of charge. 

In some areas outdoor dining can only be accommodated by using existing car parking spaces. The temporary and short term use of some car parking for outdoor dining will help our restaurants and cafes reopen and stay viable. They’ll also attract customers back into our centres and support surrounding businesses too.  You can help by supporting the use of car parking for temporary outdoor dining.

Business Victoria have Business Grants to support outdoor dining and entertainment, and Council has developed COVID-19 temporary outdoor dining permits for hospitality venues. 

For more information and to apply for an outdoor dining permit click here. 

A range of financial support is available from the Australian and Victorian governments to help your business through coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Business Victoria Financial Support page will help you find programs and other support options available to you and your business.

For more information click here



IGNITE Food Passions is delivered by The Business of Food. The purpose of the IGNITE program is to provide ideas and information to get your food business venture started with interactive sessions covering business operations and food regulations, as well as providing an opportunity for participants to interact and share their journey.

The Program runs over five weeks every Tuesday commencing 16 February 2021.

Apply now!




“Start, Now” - a new pre-accelerator program.

It’s designed to help you turn your idea into an actual business startup.

The program will run from the 15 February to 16 April 2021, and involves individual online learning and structured group learning, peer catch-ups and mentoring.

Find out more on nowdoit.com.au

Apply now!


Are you a woman in Leadership or do you know a woman in Leadership? 

The Brimbank Women in Leadership Program provides meaningful, practical and holistic business support in a way that also enhances relationships, networking and support opportunities. 

The program runs for 12 weeks commencing on 9 February 2021.

Applications opening soon! 


Cul-ti-vate is a Brimbank City Council initiative delivered by VU Innovations and Roshambo.

Cul-ti-vate's purpose is to accelerate the process of finding a business idea, developing it, and scaling the business into a sustainable model.

Cul-ti-vate is designed for entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs, as well as small business owners, looking to future proof their business.

The program runs over nine weeks in a fast paced mode that mirrors the speed needed to succeed in the real world. 

The program will commence in April 2021. 

Applications opening soon!

Navigating COVID19: Keep your small business on track - Register here 
Government Grants for Manufacturers - Register here
Starting your small business: how to make it happen - Register here
Business Planning Essentials - Register here
Taking your Business Online - Register here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve business success - for further information click here  

Melbourne's North Food Group 
Webinar - Economic Recovery: The challenges and opportunities for businesses - register here

Upskill My Business (Business Victoria)
Develop your business skills and strengthen your business - for further information click here   

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A wide range of interactive online webinar seminars presented by experienced tax officers, where you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) 
ASBAS is delivering FREE online workshops and Business Resilience programs for Victorian businesses: 

Online Workshops  - Register here
Business Resilience Program - Register here
Business Resilience Mentoring - Register here
Business Resilience Workshops - Register here

Business Mentoring 

 Council's partnership with the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) and ION Group provides businesses with vouchers to access mentoring sessions. Sessions are provided either online via Skype/Zoom or by telephone.

SBMS mentoring sessions are designed to provide operational support and identify resources for businesses in these extreme times.  There are different mentoring options available, and they can be provided in languages other than English.

ION Group provides a strategic ‘whole of business’ approach to their mentoring sessions. These sessions include an opportunity to review your situation, undertake planning and business strategy, and prepare adaptation strategies for re-opening, reinventing and rebuilding your business.

For more information and a discussion about your mentoring needs, contact the Economic Development Team ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Have you responded to the Business Impact Survey?  

We'd really like to hear from you to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting your business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. 

Complete the Business Impact Survey here 

Brimbank.Localised - it’s more than business to business – it’s business to people, people to business – it’s a business community â€“ it’s letting people know where there is local expertise, local services and local opportunity.

There is no cost to sign up to Brimbank.Localised, and by signing up you will receive ongoing promotion and exposure to other Brimbank businesses, access to local supply chains and local business networks.

Brimbank.Localised is ready for Brimbank businesses to upload their profile, business information, articles and blogs - you'll just need a photo, logo, website and business details to create your profile account and get started.

Guide to getting started

Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (English)
Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (Vietnamese)

Find out more about Brimbank.Localised and upload your business profile here


Are you a local business looking for new staff and want to employ local?

There's no cost to join the Joblink community or to post your employment opportunities. You’ll also receive promotion for your business on the JobLink Facebook Page.

Check out Brimbank Joblink for more information and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook. 

Copyright © Brimbank City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 70, Sunshine 3020

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

This email was sent by Brimbank City Council and is intended for .

To review the newsletters you subscribed to, or unsubscribe from all email sent via this service please click here.