Nimble News 14 August 2025
- fftitc
- Aug 13
- 5 min read
We love Small Businesses!
Most of the business stakeholders in our industries are from small businesses (employ 0-19 employees). They are committed to their industries and provide a valuable service and contribution to WA. The FFTITC's vision is for our industries to have a workforce development environment that encourages growth and innovation for today and for the future. This is why we are passionate about assisting our stakeholders to grow and develop their businesses.
The reason why our small businesses are so important:
Small businesses are major employers in most economies. They account for a significant portion of all jobs, particularly in sectors like retail, hospitality, and services.
Small businesses contribute significantly to GDP by offering goods and services that meet consumer demand.
Small businesses are often at the forefront of innovation. Their flexible structure allows them to take risks and experiment with new ideas, which can lead to breakthroughs in technology, design, and business processes.
Small businesses are crucial to the vibrancy and identity of local communities. They contribute to the local economy by providing jobs, supporting other local businesses, and fostering community engagement.
For those of you who love data:
In WA, Small businesses constitute 97% of all businesses in WA, totalling approximately 238,900 enterprises as of June 2023.
These SMEs employ a substantial portion of the workforce, with over 489,000 people working in small businesses across the state.
The number of small businesses in WA increased by 2% in the year leading up to June 2023, with notable growth in areas like Gosnells, Swan, and Wanneroo.
Approximately 80% of WA's small businesses are in Greater Perth, with the remaining 20% spread across regional areas.
Advice, resources and support available for SMEs
Running a small business is no easy feat! Having access to advice, free resources, cheat sheets, templates etc. is such a help. Below are some handy links that may be of assistance to you.
WA State Government Support
Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) provides confidential, no-cost advisory services to both aspiring and established small business owners across WA. Services include assistance with business planning, market research, financial management, licensing, marketing, and dispute resolution.
Small Business Growth Grants (Up to $10,000)
The WA Government's Small Business Growth Grants program offers matched funding vouchers of up to $10,000 to assist small businesses in accessing expert services. These services can include business planning, digital marketing, cybersecurity, export readiness, and more
Here you will find useful information, templates, links and resources to assist you to better plan, attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce that can help you reach those business goals now and into the future.
Commonwealth Government support
Here are 10 resources and services put out by the Commonwealth Government to help small business owners. They include a Small Business Toolkit, information on recruitment, digital solutions and much more.
The program provides an Advisory Service for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s
This program provides support to people interested in starting their own business or who need help to refocus an existing small business.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has an excellent Small Business Showcase which has Tips, tools and training to find your way in the workplace. It also has an Employer Advisory Service (EAS) which gives small business employers free tailored written advice about pay and conditions to help you make sure you’re meeting your obligations under the Fair Work Act.
Here is a collection of news that we get from our network that we think you'll want to know about. We hope you enjoy.
The VET Qualifications register provides industry advice for schools and RTOs on the suitability of qualifications for secondary students and delivery requirements to meet industry standards. It is developed in consultation with schools, RTOs, and industry.
The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have officially opened the Kimberley Cotton Gin in Kununurra, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs over the next decade in a new billion-dollar industry for the State's north.
This Grant from DEWR will fund activities addressing local employment needs, supporting individuals into ongoing employment, or providing a clear pathway to employment. A priority of this fund is supporting employment outcomes for those in receipt of an income support payment.
The Farm Business Resilience Program is designed to equip horticulture business owners and emerging leaders with the practical tools, strategies, and confidence to respond to change, manage risk, and drive sustainable profitability.
The Australian Government is inviting applications in an open competitive process to apply for a grant under the Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges Pilot Program
Skills Insight is inviting your feedback on proposed recommendations and the draft action plan. An online session is being held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025,with feedback due 20 August 2025.
The program assists WA landholders to assess the feasibility of integrating carbon farming into their operations and build stronger and more sustainable businesses. In this round, $500,000 worth of vouchers are on offer to support WA farmers to access professional expertise to progress carbon farming initiatives.
Opportunity to promote your business, network and hear from guest speakers from Jas International, Miss Scarlett, 33 Poets, Belmont BEC as well as Carol Hanlon from TCF WA & TCF Australia.
TCF Australia Export Training & Mentoring Project will provide free access to export assistance to TCF sole traders, micro, small, medium size businesses across Australia looking to update and improve their exporting skills.
The Department of Employment and Workforce Relations (DEWR) has published a series of fact sheets on their Qualification Reform webpage to assist all stakeholders to navigate the transition to the new VET qualification design approach.
This VDC workshop will delve into the nature of anxiety, equipping you with the skills to recognise and understand it in your classroom. We'll explore the unique challenges anxious students face and discuss strategies for building positive relationships with them.
Media release: A diverse range of scientific initiatives helping Western Australia’s valuable agriculture sector and the regions to grow and thrive will be profiled at the
WARP is held at Curtin Stadium on the 23rd and 24th of August 2025. For teams, parents, supporters and the community for this high paced, sporting match like event.
High school graduates are choosing trades over traditional careers, driven by fears that a growing technology could make certain jobs obsolete
We hope this has been of some assistance.
Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council
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