Establishing a business can be an interesting, alternative path to employment for people with disability. It allows flexibility to choose work hours and work practices.
Encourage job seekers to start out small, test the water, get a taste of being their own boss and an idea of their chances of success. Starting a small business and making it a success means a lot of hard work, focus and commitment.
Getting started
There are a number of things job seekers will need to think about and do before starting their own business. You can encourage job seekers to do market research and develop a business plan. You can also point them in the right direction to register and set up their business.
What other help is available?
Job seekers may be eligible for support or assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme helps eligible unemployed people to start and run their own small business.
Research has shown New Enterprise Incentive Scheme participants with disability have very good chances of success with 78.2 per cent still employed after completing the scheme (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations 2007).
Through the Scheme, participants get training, support and help to become self-supporting and independent in the first year of business.
A network of private, community and government organisations, such as Business Enterprise Centres and TAFE Small Business Centres deliver the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme throughout Australia. All New Enterprise Incentive Scheme providers have accessible training facilities and premises.
As well as the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, there are a number of other government schemes and initiatives that can help job seekers start their own business (links will open in a new window):
Online Resources
There are also online resources that you can direct job seekers to help them get started.
business.gov.au is a whole of government service that provides essential information about planning, starting and running your business. It provides useful how to guides and templates for developing a business plan and more. Visit business.gov.au (link will open in a new window):
Case studies and success stories
References
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations 2007, New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS): For client groups, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra, viewed 27 March 2007, <http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Category/SchemesInitiatives/NEIS/Forclientgroups.htm>.