The Self-Employment Assistance program can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. The program allows you to choose the level of support that meets your needs and the needs of your small business.  

Self-Employment Assistance program replaced the New Business Assistance with NEIS program in July 2022.

To be eligible you must:  

• be at least 15 years of age (a person must be 18 years of age to access Small Business Coaching)  

• be: an Australian citizen, or the holder of a permanent visa, or a nominated Visa Holder (including a New Zealand Special Category Visa, Temporary Protection Visa Holder and a Safe Haven Visa Holder)  

• not be an undischarged bankrupt  

• meet any additional eligibility criteria specific to the Service(s) you they have chosen as some services available through Self-Employment Assistance will also have additional eligibility criteria. For example, to access Small Business Coaching you must have an eligible business idea or existing business. This means your business idea or existing business must:  

• be either a new business or a micro-business (up to 4 employees) at risk of not operating commercially  

• be assessed as viable by your Self-Employment Assistance provider  

• have an independent business structure  

• be lawful and capable of withstanding public scrutiny  

• be established, located, and operated solely within Australia  

• be structured so you will maintain a controlling interest over the business through your time accessing the Services 

Yes, you can still participate in the Self-Employment Assistance program even if you are not receiving Centrelink benefits. The program is available to a wide range of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, which include being unemployed or underemployed and interested in starting or growing your own business. Centrelink status is not a requirement for participation.

Self-Employment Assistance program can help you with your business idea or existing business through its flexible services including:  

• Exploring Self-Employment Workshops  

• Free accredited Small Business Training  

• Small Business Coaching 

• Business Plan Development  

• Business Advice Sessions  

• Business Health Checks  

Small Business Coaching involves individualised business mentoring for up to 12 months.  

Over the course of a year, you’ll be connected to a business mentor who will keep in touch with you to give you guidance, coaching and other business support. 

You can also receive a $330 (including GST) reimbursement to assist with your eligible business costs (such as business insurance). If you’re eligible, you can also receive a Self-Employment Allowance for up to 39 weeks and Self-Employment Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks.

You can access coaching when you have:  

• a Workforce Australia approved business plan 

• All the required documents, such as insurance 

• Your business actively up and running 

• When your Small Business Coaching Agreement has been signed  

Small Business Coaching gives you 12 months of personalised mentoring and support to help you start and run your small business.

If eligible, you can receive the equivalent of the single, 22 or over, no children rate of the Job Seeker Payment, paid fortnightly.  

Most income support recipients will automatically transfer to the Self-Employment Allowance. If you are not receiving income support, you must make a claim for support prior to commencing coaching.

39 weeks from the date you commence coaching. 

No. The program does not provide any funding, financial support or capital for businesses.