Have you ever wanted to work for yourself?  Have you got a great idea for a business but don’t know where to start?

There are lots of really good reasons to work for yourself: 

• You have an excellent idea and can see a chance to make more money.
• You want to work from home to spend more time with your family.
• You want to use your hobby, skills or experience to do something a lot more interesting.
• Or maybe you just want to be your own boss.

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) can give you a lot of information, advice and practical support to help you start your own business.  NEIS can support you with everything you need to know from developing your business plan and applying for finance, to assist you to work out that you have enough to live on while you get your business off the ground.  All of the training you receive is free, and you’ll even receive a year’s worth of NEIS payments (paid fortnightly) to help you get your business up and running.

Close to 2 million people in Australia run their own businesses, and probably all would agree that having access to the right information and support before you launch your business is crucial to success.

What is NEIS?
NEIS is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and is designed to help you set up and run your own business.

If you’re unemployed and you meet the requirements, NEIS provides you with small business training, income assistance and business mentoring support during the first year of your business.

How does it work?

1. If you feel you have a good business idea ad would like to do NEIS, simply apply on line.
2. After receipt of your application, if you meet the eligibility criteria we’ll contact you and let you know if you have been accepted to receive NEIS training. 
3. You’ll then commence training in Certificate III in Micro-business Operations (BSB30307); or a Certificate IV in Small Business Management (BSB40407).
4. During the course, you’ll receive training in business management, and also receive assistance to develop a business plan.
5. Your completed plan will be assessed by an external NEIS panel of business people, and if accepted, you’ll receive a year of NEIS payments – paid fortnightly - totalling over eleven thousand dollars and paid independently of business income.
6. You’ll also be assigned with a Business Mentor who will provide guidance for the first twelve months of your business operation.

All training and support is free of charge, and you will also be provided with training materials.

Business Eligibility
Your proposed business should:

• Never have operated commercially.
• Be independent, reputable and legal.
• Have the potential of operating on a self sustainable commercial basis by the end of one year.
• Must have access to start-up capital: NEIS does not supply bulk-sum payments such as grants and loans.
• Be assessed as commercially viable by a NEIS Panel.
• Not involve the purchase or the direct takeover of an existing business.
• You can demonstrate that there is unsatisfied demand for the product or service you wish to provide or the services are to be provided in a new way.
• Be established, located and operated solely in Australia.

Practical Eligibility
To be eligible for NEIS assistance you must:

• Be registered with Centrelink, and in receipt of income support e.g. Newstart, PPS, Carer, DSP etc. Please note that there is no minimum waiting period to be on payments (you qualify the first day you receive them) and there are over 20 eligible payments.
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of signing the NEIS contract.
• Be available to participate in NEIS training and work full-time in the business (or fewer hours if eligible), and
• Be available to participate in NEIS training and work at least 20 hours a week in the business in the case of parents with part-time participation requirements.
• Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
• Not have received the NEIS Allowance in the last two years, and not have received NEIS Assistance previously for a similar business activity.
• Agree to hold and maintain a controlling interest in the business during the period you are in receipt of NEIS

Contact NEIS
To apply online, simply complete and submit our online application.

For more information about starting your own business with NEIS, call us on 1300 00 6347 or visit our NEIS website at www.missionaustralianeis.com.au.