How NEIS can help
Developing a business plan
Every business needs a business plan. As part of your NEIS training you will get help with developing your business plan. The business plan will then need to be approved before you can start your business with NEIS Assistance.
Your business plan will help you if you need to approach banks or credit unions for finance. However, NEIS will not provide you with start-up funds in the form of loans or grants.
Mentor support
Mentor support is an essential component of NEIS. Mentors are people with proven business acumen and experience in marketing, finance, accounting or other relevant business skills.
As a NEIS participant you will receive assistance and business advice from mentors during the first year of your business operation. Your NEIS mentor will meet with you and visit you in your business a number of times during this first year of operation.
Keeping in touch
Your NEIS provider will maintain regular contact with you throughout your first year of trading to see if you are experiencing any business problems. They can also provide additional support where required.
NEIS training
NEIS training is the Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management), a nationally recognised qualification. NEIS training is a Centrelink 'approved activity' for up to 13 weeks, which allows time for completing the course (normally six to eight weeks), assessment of your business plan by the NEIS provider and any final business preparations.
If you are selected for NEIS training, it will be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation, using appropriately qualified trainers and assessors.
If you have prior training or experience in business, you may be eligible for prior learning exemptions.
You will receive help to develop a business plan as part of your training. Before you can start your business with NEIS Assistance your business plan will need to be approved. The business plan will assist you if you need to approach banks or credit unions for finance. (Please note that NEIS will not provide you with start-up funds in the form of loans or grants.)
The training course covers:
- researching business opportunities
- establishing business and legal requirements
- undertaking financial planning
- promoting the business
- undertaking business planning
- analysing and presenting research information
- coordinating business resources
- reporting on financial activity
- profiling the market
- analysing consumer behaviour for specific markets.
Read more about the training, including a full guide, on the NEIS Training Curriculum page.
Tools to help you get ready for business
If you’re thinking about starting a small business and using your savings, retrenchment payout, or borrowing money, there are a few things you should think about. To help you manage the risks of starting your small business NEIS has developed two tools for people to test their business suitability and readiness. These tools can be used by people interested in applying for NEIS or to support training in small business management.
- NEIS Business Feasibility Study
How much have you thought through your business concept? This useful eight-page survey asks key questions that anyone starting out in business should work through to help avoid the pitfalls.
- NEIS Personal Enterprise Profile
The Personal Enterprise Profile is an online questionnaire designed to tell you about your personal skills and abilities, and how they will relate to running your own business. You can print out your own personalised report on your strengths and weaknesses, together with some suggestions.
These tools are also available on the NEIS Interactive CD-ROM. You can order a copy of the CD-ROM through a NEIS provider or Job Network member. Click here to find your local NEIS provider.
The Australian Government provides free access to business information, transactions and advice at business.gov.au, including information on how to set up and manage your business, and how to get financial and other assistance.
If you have any further queries, please contact your local NEIS provider, or call the Employment Services Information Line on 13 62 68.