RDASI Newsletter - April 2022
A message from the CEO
With the drought still so fresh in all our minds, it’s hard to complain about the rain. But our region has been ravaged by the deluge of late and it looks like we’ve got more to come. Please remember to play it safe and never try to drive across rising water that you cannot see the depth of.
On March 15th RDASI hosted the Assistant Minister Nola Marino on a video conference to discuss the local damage in the Southern Highlands due to the floods. With representatives from Resilience NSW, Wingecarribee Shire Council, the SES and the business chamber, Minister Marino was well informed on the infrastructure damage and impacts to the community.
I’d like to congratulate Mel Jones from our team who has moved into the Workforce Development role. Mel has considerable experience in HR so was the perfect person to take the lead on our Grow Our Own project. You’ll be seeing more about this exciting workforce engagement program over the next few months.
Last week’s budget included the extension of RDA funding as well as a raft of promises to assist small business and regional communities. These are my top picks:
Small business can claim a bonus 20% tax deduction for investment in digital technologies like cloud computing, cyber security and web design.
For every $100 a small business spends on training their employee - they will get a $120 tax deduction.
For the next 6 months fuel will be cheaper with a 50% reduction in the excise tax.
Small business can write off new assets until 30 June 23.
$5000 in payments and $15,000 in wage subsidies for new apprenticeships in priority industries.
$420 tax offset will assist with cost of living expenses, once your tax return is complete.
Thanks to Phil Gibson for running our small business month grant writing workshops across the region. If you missed them, we have recordings, so please contact him for access on grants@rdasi.org.au. We’re always looking for great projects to assist with, so if you need help getting your project funded, please contact Phil for assistance.
Suzanne Gearing, RDASI's Deputy Chair and myself were lucky enough to attend the latest Jindabyne Connect at the end of last month. Pictured here are some of the Jindabyne Connect Business Owners, alongside Kristy McBain, the local Federal Member and Olivier Kapetanakos, the Jindabyne Chamber President.
ABC Heywire Winners
The ABC Heywire competition gives a voice to young people living in regional Australia. Over the past 23 years more than 11,500 young Australians have taken part in this annual regional youth project.
38 young people from right across regional, rural and remote Australia have shared their stories. From surviving a refugee camp in Congo, keeping the Corrigin Hockey Club alive, caring for the place you love in the face of climate change and finding a language – the stories are tributes to life living in a regional community.
Check out their remarkable stories.
Employing workers in Regional Australia
The Australian Government offers a vast range of visa programs to attract migrants to help strengthen our economy and boost regional areas.The Department of Home Affairs have released a handy guide briefly outlining the conditions of a range of visas for employers seeking to hire visa holders.
For more information on visa options for employing workers in regional Australia visit: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/working-in-australia.
Community STEM Engagement Grants
Applications to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning for young Australians are open as part of the Maker Projects – Community STEM Engagement grants. The $2 million in grants is part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Programme.
The funding will support projects that deliver hands-on science, engineering, technology and engineering (STEM) experiences for students and youth under 18 years of age.
Projects that will engage and make a positive ongoing impact for people aged under 18 who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
Eligible organisations can apply for grants to help deliver hands-on, inquiry-based STEM projects. Applications close on 9 May 2022.
Strengthening the Southern Inland Workforce
RDA Southern Inland have launched a pilot program aimed at connecting Job Seekers and School Leavers with employers. The “Grown Our Own” program, an extension of the successful program run by RDA Riverina, has commenced in the Goulburn-Mulwaree LGA, with the objective of promoting a variety of occupations and opportunities during group workplace and educational facility visits.
Participants will learn more about the careers on offer, and the educational pathways they can take to enter their field of interest.
Want to know more? Contact our Workforce Development & Projects Officer, Melissa Jones on 0422 596 235 for more information.
Economic Development Training Course Now Open
Commencing 3rd May 2022, this weekly virtual course is designed for economic development professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.
Participants can enrol in the full course or individual modules. EDA members who successfully complete 4 core and 2 elective modules receive recognition as an Australian Certified Economic Developers (ACEcD) and are authorised to use the nominals ACEcD and the new ACEcD logo in their email signatures and on business cards, etc. to demonstrate their achievement and position themselves as leaders in their field. Book your Spot Here
Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant
Financial support has been extended to eligible businesses in your local government area that have been impacted by storms and floods.
If you were affected in February and March 2022, you can apply for February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.
Click 'Apply now' to check if your business is eligible, and see the documentation you'll need to apply.
FREE Workshops for supervisors
Employers and workplace supervisors play a central role in the success of apprenticeships and traineeships and are in a key position to maximise the success of training.
To help them improve their skills, Training Services NSW, Illawarra & South East NSW, is offering free four-hour workshops for supervisors of apprentices and trainees.
Workshops are scheduled for the following locations from 9:00am to 1:00pm - venues to be advised:
8 April – Wollongong
10 May – Batemans Bay
26 July – Goulburn
23 August – Nowra
6 September – Wollongong
20 September – Merimbula
25 October - Queanbeyan
For more information and to book your place, please call:
Lyn Eckersley, Training Services NSW on 0400 316 308.
Snowy 2.0 Business and Job Opportunities
Future Generation JV will run a series of Vendor Development Workshops across the Snowy Mountains and surrounding regions. This is an opportunity for local businesses to find out more regarding the Vendor Qualification process and what is required to work on the Snowy 2.0 project.
Topics covered will include pre-qualification, health and safety, procurement, chain of responsibility, environment, industrial relations, and financial.
Workshops will be held on the following dates:
Wagga - 12 April
Cooma - 26 April
Bega - 3 May
Queanbeyan - 17 May
Advanced Business Accelerator
The Canberra Innovation Network will be running an Advanced Business Accelerator programme on the 6 - 7th June 2022.
Join a select cohort of small and medium business peers for two days of focused work on your business run by successful entrepreneurs and venture investors. The programme will focus on assisting you to grow your business, find new customers and hire more people.
Horizons Leadership Program International Engagement
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in partnership with The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) are seeking applicants from regional and rural shire councils, chambers of commerce and economic development organisations to participate in a leadership program designed to better inform participants about the benefits o regional Australia from international trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and international tourism.
The program consists of six interactive webinars and workshops will run from 29 April to 15 July 2022 and is open to early to mid-career applicants who are working in economic/growth roles within regional and rural organisations.
Mental health at work
Black Dog Institute is providing free mental health training funded by the NSW Government, to eligible businesses across NSW.
In just a few hours, get practical actions to create a positive and engaged workplace. It’s also a legal responsibility to have a safe and healthy workplace. So, learn more about mental health at work, your rights, and obligations and complete the Workplace Pulse Check to see how your business compares.
Funded RSA Courses
The NSW Government is currently funding 10,000 Responsible Service of Alcohol courses across NSW for those aged 17 years and above.
Enrolments are now open until 30 April 2022.
Training must be completed by 30 June 2022.
To view eligibility requirements and to apply, visit Skills NSW.
Expanded Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate
The NSW Government has increased the Small Business Fees and Charges rebate from $2,000 to $3,000. Eligible employing businesses will also be able to use the rebate against 50% of the cost of rapid antigen tests from late March.
To view the full range of fees and charges eligible or to apply for the rebate, visit Service NSW here.
Australia’s Brand Toolkit
Looking to showcase your Australian products or services to the world?
Australia’s Nation Brand Toolkit is designed to create a unified brand identify and voice for Australian businesses, industries and government agencies.
There are a wealth of resources available including logos, fonts, social media images etc. to use as part of your marketing theme.
