Across our council areas there are free events and resources to help with wrangling your finances and gaining advice for jobs.
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support is available for free for all Victorian small businesses through Partners in Wellbeing. Receive one-to-one support to improve your wellbeing if you’re worried about your business, as well as free access to business advisers and financial counsellors. Telephone hotline 1300 375 330 (9am to 10pm weekdays). Find out more
Banyule Council
Banyule Business Grants
Banyule City Council’s popular COVID-19 Banyule Business Grants program returns this September. These grants have supported over 160 businesses since May last year.
Applications for Round 6 will open on Monday 6 September and close 11:59pm Thursday 14 October. The total funding pool is $120,000.
Two grant streams on offer:
Business support grants of up to $5,000
Business coaching and development grants of up to $2,500
Past recipients of a minor grants i.e. a Coaching and Development Grant (up to $2,500) or a Business Continuity Grant (up to $1,000) are eligible to apply for a Business Support Grant but the sum of both amounts must not exceed $5,000.
Guidelines will be released when applications open on Monday 6 September.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/banyulebusiness
Small Business Mentoring
September 7 10.00am – 3.00pm
The City of Banyule in conjunction with SBMS is offering business mentoring sessions to support businesses which are situated within the City of Banyule. Bookings and further information: https://banyulebusiness.com.au/event/small-business-mentoring-5/
Project management workshop with non-profit training
15 September – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Learn how to plan a project to ensure you can successfully complete it within your timeline and resources. Bookings and further information: https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Events-activities/Whats-on/Council-events/Project-management-workshop-with-non-profit-training
Rediscover Local
Banyule’s Rediscover Local campaign shines a light on small businesses in Banyule and the amazing variety of goods and services they offer. Through this campaign you’ll be able to locate Banyule businesses in one easy place, have access to offers from a range of local businesses and get the opportunity to win some great prizes. Click here to register your business on the directory.
Check out the campaign and discover local businesses in your neighbourhood: https://www.rediscoverlocal.com.au/
Banyule Inclusive Employment Program
Applications close 5 September
Every year Banyule City Council opens applications for 6-month employment opportunities, tailored to your area of interest, goals, strengths and ability. With 18 different roles across council services to choose from, there are many different pathways to explore. If you are a Banyule resident facing barriers to employment, person living with a disability Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or aged 16-25 you are eligible to apply. https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/About-us/Careers/Inclusive-employment
City of Whittlesea
Women & Small Business Information Session
Friday 27 August, 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Hosted by Whittlesea Community Connections, learn about the stepping stones of small business practice tailored for women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
They will also cover topics such as:
- Interests and skills you can turn into a small business
- Local markets and online selling options
- Different types of small business support programs
Bookings essential: https://www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/event/women-small-business-information-session/
Fix it Fridays with Whittlesea Community House
August 27th from 10am – 1pm via phone, receive assistance from their experts.
Bookings are essential.
Contact 9716 3361 or visit http://wchi.com.au/
Tax Help with Whittlesea Community House
Available on Fridays August 27th and September 10 via phone.
Bookings are essential.
Contact 9716 3361 or visit http://wchi.com.au/
$250 Victorian Power Saving Bonus
What is the $250 Power Saving Bonus?
The $250 Power Saving Bonus is a one-off $250 payment which provides direct support to Victorian households experiencing power bill stress during the coronavirus pandemic. It is available to over 900,000 eligible Victorian households with at least one eligible concession cardholder.
Who is eligible for the Power Saving Bonus?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Victorian residential energy consumer (i.e. have a residential electricity account) and
- Be receiving payments under one of the following concession programs:
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession
- JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy
- Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession
- Or hold a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
- Holders of Health Care Cards who are not recipients of Youth Allowance, JobSeeker, Austudy or Abstudy are not eligible.
If you, or people you know, meet the eligibility requirements Greenbrook Community House or Whittlesea community House can help you to submit an application to receive these funds.
For Greenbrook Neighbourhood House call Rachel on 8401 6261 or email psbgreenbrookch@whittlesea.vic.gov.au to make an appointment. Appointments are available via phone (and in person when allowed) on Tuesdays.
For Whittlesea Community House call 9716 3361 or visit http://wchi.com.au/
For more information on the Power Saving Bonus: https://www.nhvic.org.au/power-saving-bonus-outreach-program
Financial Wellbeing Booklet
If you can’t pick up your free copy from Thomastown Library, the Financial Wellbeing Booklet is now available on the Whittlesea Council website in languages including Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Tamil, Macedonian and Simplified Chinese.
https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/community-support/financial-wellbeing-booklet/
Free Work and Training Advice
Presented by Jobs Victoria Advocates and Whittlesea Community Connections. Information sessions and individual consultation now available.
Contact us for information and advice about:
- Job seeking and training supports to meet your goals
- Grown industries for employment
- Volunteering as a pathway to employment
Support can also be provided in Hindi, Singhalese, Malay, Punjabi, Urdu and Indonesian
Email jobadvocates@whittleseaacc.org.au or call 9401 6666
NILs is coming to Whittlesea Community Connections
What is NILs? No Interest Loans (NILs) provided to individuals and families on low incomes with access to safe, fair affordable credit with no fees and charges applied. What can I use NILs for? Loans are available up to $1,500 for essential goods and services including:
- Household Items
- Car Repairs and Registration
- Medical & Dental
- Technology
- Furniture
- Education
Other items may be available upon request. Loans are NOT available for: Bills, Cash, Debts, Food and Rent. To check if you are eligible and for more information, talk to Whittlesea Community Connections on 9401 6666 or visit www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au
PRACE Forms and Advocacy Assist Service
PRACE in partnership with La Trobe University is now offering free Forms and Advocacy Assist Service for local community members.
This service runs on Thursdays and can be by phone, zoom, or (outside lock down restrictions) in person.
Contact 9462 6077 or email faasprace@gmail.com