The Hub, Hunter Region Business
Contact

Start your own business

Start your own business, with the Hunter's business hub behind you

The Self-Employment Assistance program gives you the practical, fundamental skills to run a business, and it is fully subsidised, delivered at no cost to you. Twelve weeks, a mentor who checks in every week, and a nationally recognised qualification at the end.

Ask about the program

A joint initiative

Delivered with The Business Centre

The Self-Employment Assistance program is a joint initiative between the Hunter Region Business Hub and The Business Centre, backing new Hunter businesses from idea to trading.

New Hunter Business

Program cost

$0

Fully subsidised

Program value

$5,000

Training, mentoring and qualification

The Entrepreneurship Pathway

How the 12 weeks run

The pathway is self-led through an online portal, so you work at your own pace, with real people alongside you the whole way. Training must be completed within 12 weeks.

Weeks 1 to 12

Training, your way

Self-led learning through the online portal. By the end you will have set your goals, your business model and an action plan to get started.

Every week

One-on-one mentoring

Weekly coaching and tutoring with your dedicated trainer, 10 hours across the course, applying each unit to your business.

Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12

Boot camps

In-person half days on Saturday mornings and midweek nights: learning, connecting, ideating and using the business tools from the course.

The outcome

A recognised qualification

You finish with a BSB40320 Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business, and extra Business Advisory sessions are there if you need them.

Who it suits

Made for ideas, early starters and micro businesses

  • You have a business idea and want to start off right
  • You are in the early stage of business and want to grow, or make sure you are on the right track
  • You run a micro business with up to 5 employees, including you

Eligibility basics

  • 15 years or over (18 or over for Small Business Coaching)
  • Australian citizen, permanent resident or nominated visa holder
  • Not an undischarged bankrupt
  • Not already enrolled in education

Places are subject to program screening. Send an enquiry and we will talk you through eligibility before anything else.

A young Hunter baker serving a customer across her counter

Outcomes

What people take away

Our team and customers shared the outcomes they experienced:

Reached goals

The program has supported creating the life they want.

Became a leader

Skilled and confident in leadership in business, employment, industry and life.

Owned their skills

Converting life experiences into a nationally recognised qualification.

Ahead of the pack

Gave small business owners a competitive edge.

“My first contact with the Hunter Region Business Hub was while I was only considering starting my own business. The encouragement and motivation I found from any contact really did help me along.”

Karen Clements, Hub member

Take the first step

Tell us about your idea

A sentence is enough to start. We will come back to you about eligibility and the next intake, and there is no cost and no obligation in asking.