Australian Government funding of up to $100,000 is available under the Small Business Advisory Services program for eligible non-profit organisations to deliver small business services in 2009. It is expected that the advisory services to be offered will focus on:

• business planning advice
• advice on loans and banking products
• development of simple marketing plans
• assistance accessing legal and accounting services
• leasing guidance
• advice on government regulation
• mentoring for business
  

The Australian Emissions Trading Congress 2008 will build on themes developed during the Australian Water Summit in April and the recent Australian Energy and Utility Summit. With mandatory reporting underway and a National Emissions Trading Scheme under discussion, there is a need for businesses to investigate a carbon constrained economy. Learn how you will be affected and what you should do.

Applications are being called for the provision of linkage services between research organisations and Enterprise Connect to support the Researchers in Business initiative. There is $600,000 in funding available this round. The role will predominantly involve brokering relationships and projects between the research and Enterprise Connect target market SME communities. Applications close at 5pm, Friday 28 November 2008.

The clean energy industry will grow by up to $20 billion and employ up to 50,000 people in just over a decade. Zero & low emission power will be a permanent, main-stream clean energy source for Australia's growing economy and all issues will be tackled at this month's Clean Energy Council 2008 Conference and Exhibition on the Gold Coast.

The Australian Government's Export Market Development Grant scheme helps businesses cover the cost of export promotion. Applications for the EMDG's 2007-08 grant year close on Monday 1 December 2008. Click here or call 13 28 78 to find out how to apply.

Austrade is staging free briefings in November in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane on opportunities for Australian companies in the Indian information technology sector and to learn more about the Indian 2009 ICT partnership program.

The Council for Australian-Arab Relations' CAAR Grants Program is calling for applications for funding for projects that seek to enhance Australia's economic, cultural and social relations with the Arab region. Applications close on Tuesday 2 December 2008.

Grants from $50,000 to $500,000 for up to 50 per cent of project costs are available under Round 1 of the Australian Government's Green Building Fund. The program will provide grants through two streams of activity with applications for both streams to close on Thursday 15 January 2008.

Next year's Asia Pacific Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation - New Thinking and Practice, will involve academia, industry and policy makers in bringing together theory and practice on entrepreneurship and innovation. Emphasis will be on international dimensions within the Asia Pacific region. The symposium will be in Sydney from 1-3 April 2009.

AusIndustry Customer Story

AusIndustry announcement

AusIndustry will be launching a dynamic new website on Monday 1 December 2008. It is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with new features that include a tool to find AusIndustry grants and assistance and an interactive map of Australia to help you locate your nearest AusIndustry office and/or contact, and events in your area.