Support Services

Jump to: Customer Service Centre - Business Guidance - Austrade - Australia Government Business - Business ConnectSelf-Employment Assistance

Covid-19 update

Affected by COVID-19 and need assistance with your small business? Find out the types of services available on our Support for Small Businesses page.

City of Ryde Customer Service Centre

Located at 1 Pope Street, Ryde (Top Ryde City shopping centre, below Ryde Library), the centre includes Customer Service and the specialised Building and Development Advisory Service

The Centre operates to provide services on a wide range of town planning and business related issues. You can book online a free appointment with a with a Town Planner to discuss any development matters or call 9952 8222 to arrange a meeting with Council's Economic Development Officer.

The Centre's operating hours are from 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. 

Business Guidance

Small Biz Connect is a program that accelerates small businesses to economic sustainability, delivering growth and employment for NSW. It is a practical, government-funded program that links experienced business advisors with small business operators who want a personalised focus, local know-how and mentoring support.

How is the program structured?

  • An appointment with a Business Advisor is arranged for a general discussion around your business, at no cost to you or your business
  • A further appointment of up to two hours with a Business Advisor, using a comprehensive business diagnostic tool to assess your business, at no cost to you or your business
  • A business review appointment of up to two hours with a Business Advisor to review the diagnostic results and develop an action plan, at no cost to you or your business
  • Ongoing assistance will be available, if requested, in support of your action plan over a 6 months period, at a heavily subsidised fee, which may be tax deductible1

This depends on individual circumstances. Please seek professional assistance in this matter.

Bookings: To book an appointment contact Sydney Business on Ph (02) 9415 2630 or email info@sydneybusiness.org.au.

Small Biz Connect is delivered by independent not-for-profit organisation Sydney Business, funded and supported by the NSW Department of Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.  

Austrade

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency. Through a network of offices in over 50 countries, Austrade assists Australian companies to grow their international business, attracts productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promotes Australia’s education sector internationally.

Austrade's role is to advance Australia's international trade, investment and education interests by providing information, advice and services.

Australian Government Business

Visit the Federal Government's Business website for simple access to information and services for business. Here you will find helpful information on planning, starting, running, selling, transferring or closing a business as well as business support and assistance like grants, advisers and events.

For more information go to www.business.gov.au.

Business Connect

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.

To assist small businesses in building capability to win government contracts, additional specialist procurement advisors have joined the team and are on hand to offer their expertise.

Businesses can book a session with a specialist like Neil Maniar, who offers over 15 years of experience in procurement, tendering and contract negotiations across the construction, mining and utilities industries.

For more information, visit the Business Connect website.

Self-Employment Assistance

The Federal Government initiative, Self-Employment Assistance helps to explore your business idea or improve your existing small business by accessing support, advice and mentoring.

Sydney Business is an approved Workforce Australia provider for Self-Employment Services and provides business training, mentoring and coaching to maximise your success.

You can access free accredited Small Business Training (up to Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business) and get assistance with Business Plan Development, 2-year cashflow forecast & business viability assessment. Small Business Coaching also gives you 12 months of personalised mentoring and support to help you start and run your small business.

The 1-hour, one-on-one tailored Business Advice Sessions (x2) and 3-hour one-on-one Business Health Check can also assess your business and analyse how you can improve it, at no cost.

To register your interest or find out about your eligibility for Self-Employment Assistance, contact Sydney Business on 02 9415 2630 or info@sydneybusiness.org.au.