Phone 1800 77 7275 to access the Australian Government's new Small Business Support Line. Advisers can help or refer callers on issues including:

• business planning
• registration and licences
• ebusiness and online assistance
• marketing and promotion
• government initiatives, grants and assistance
• employing staff
• importing and exporting
• insurances
• government regulation
• personal stress and hardship counselling
• human resource management.

Through the Business Tax Break, businesses can claim an additional tax deduction when they buy certain assets, and when they spend money to improve existing assets. Small businesses are able to claim a 50% tax deduction on eligible assets bought by 31 December 2009.

The Australian Growth Partnerships program is a new, competitive, merit-based pilot funding program, worth between $500,000 to $2 million, managed by CSIRO. The program aims to provide investment funding to high potential, technology-receptive small and medium enterprises to access CSIRO research, development capability and intellectual property.

National water reform is accelerating under the Australian Government's Water for the Future program, a $12.9 billion investment. The National Water Information Seminar Series 2009 starts in September, to be staged in all capital cities.

The Australian Government's Small Business Online program offers service providers to apply for grants for projects ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 which can provide free or low-cost IT skills development, training and mentoring services to small business. Successful grantees will be expected to equip their local small businesses to go online, enhance their web facilities and engage in e-business capabilities.

A consultation paper has been released on how best to implement two new Textiles, Clothing and Footwear programs - TCF Strategic Capability Program and TCF Building Innovative Capability. Sessions about the paper are being held in Melbourne and Sydney. Email tcfconsultation@innovation.gov.au to RSVP, together with your name and organisation details, for either session, by Thursday 10 September 2009.

Free Government Tax Basics Seminars explains tax issues relevant to owning and operating a small business and practical tips. The three-hour seminars will be staged in most states and territories. A Tax basics for small business booklet can be downloaded.

Telstra's External Research and Development Program provides support to research and/or development projects which have the potential to benefit industry or Australian end users. To be considered for the research program, submit details by Wednesday 16 September 2009, 5pm.

IP Australia invites interested parties to make a written submission to discussion papers: Flexible search and Examination and Streamlining the Patent Process. These are the latest of seven papers outling various reforms to the IP system that aim to reduce barriers to innovation for researchers, improve certainty about the validity of granted patents and allow patent claims to be resolved faster. The closing date for submissions is Friday 16 October 2009.

CPA Congress 2009 - the way forward, is not just a conference for accountants but aimed at everyone who wishes to advance their career by gaining fundamental business insights, staying up-to-date with technical knowledge and improving their personal effectiveness. This year's Congress venues are Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Austrade is running free nation-wide EMDG coaching sessions throughout September and October. These small-group, personalised sessions will help you get EMDG-ready and maximise your grant entitlement.

Nominations are now open for the Consensus GreenTech Awards. The Awards recognise the contribution made by Australian and New Zealand organisations in the development and commercialisation of environmentally-friendly technologies, such as carbon capture, renewable energy, waste reduction, waste recycling, water management, energy reduction.

Recent AusIndustry announcements and project highlights

An organic pesticide for the control of powdery mildew and an extract from the bark of a tree that may provide relief from pain and inflammation are two of 52 projects to share $3.6 million in Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) funding. The latest 52 COMET-funded projects also include a tool that uses laser lights to measure levels at construction sites and a grey water treatment system for recreational vessels.

The Australian Government's Green Car Innovation Fund offers grants from $100,000 for projects that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles. Applications can be lodged at any time. Potential applicants can submit a customer enquiry form.

The Tradex scheme is helping Turner Bros compete to supply soft furnishings to hotels round the world. Tradex provides up-front exemption from customs duty and GST on imported goods which are to be exported or to be used as inputs to exports.

Topgun Technology received a Commercialising Emerging Technologies grant of $64,000 toward the development of its portable and powered sealant applicator gun. The Topgun eliminates worker fatigue and injuries and is 2-4 times faster than conventional guns. It is also more accurate, and can be adjusted on the move. Topgun featured in Factory Maintenance.

Andromeda Industries manufactures products in such diverse areas as aerospace, precision components, bulk handling and erosion control, with the latter enjoying a solution made from recycling old conveyor belts. Andromeda attributes R&D Tax Concession registration for allowing further R&D work, being able to maintain staff numbers and reducing tax. The concession helped the company build its new $2 million Advanced Engineering Division. Andromeda featured in Materials Handling.