Major boost for small business jobs

18 May 2017

Roger Jaensch, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Trade, and Red Tape Reduction

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to helping the State’s hardworking small business community prosper, grow, and employ more Tasmanians.

Tasmania’s 36,000 small businesses are the backbone of the State’s economy, employing around 100,000 Tasmanians.

Today I can announce that in the coming Budget, the Government has committed an additional $2 million to pilot a small business grants program to support small business employing more apprentices and trainees.

In recognition of the commitment of the small business sector to support the creation of new apprenticeships and traineeships, incentive payments of up to $4,000 per apprentice or trainee will be provided upon successful completion of major milestones in the first two years of their training.

It is estimated that this program will help support 500 young Tasmanians into a job.

The Budget will also include additional funding of $50,000 to the Tasmanian Small Business Council to help the Small Business Council engage with both the Government and its members on the take up of government programs.

We want to ensure Tasmanian businesses who want to take part in these programs are able to, meaning the benefits are maximised for Tasmania's small business community.

From Business Tasmania to the Digital Ready for Business, the Hodgman Liberal Government has a suite of small business assistance programs to help Tasmanian businesses reach their full potential, and to help Build Tasmania’s Future.