Learning and support resources
If you run a business in Australia, there are many free resources and support services that can help you.
ASIC resources
ASIC free online educational modules
ASIC has developed a range of educational modules to help you understand and apply key obligations and requirements in the Corporations Act 2001.
- Becoming a company director educational module
- Managing your director obligations educational module
- Sustainability reporting educational modules
Company director short videos
ASIC has produced a series of short videos to help explain important information about becoming a director and acting early when a company is facing financial difficulty.
- Becoming a company director short video
- Keeping your business on track when facing financial difficulty short video
Sustainability reporting
ASIC provides useful information about Australia’s mandatory sustainability reporting requirements and what they mean for small business.
Sustainability reporting for small business
Loan and credit contracts
When you sign a contract for a business loan or credit, you should check the terms to make sure they are fair.
ASIC has published an information sheet that explains how the law protects small businesses from unfair terms in contracts for financial products and services. It also outlines what small businesses can do if they think a contract term is unfair:
Information sheet 211 Unfair contract term protections for small businesses (INFO 211)
Moneysmart for businesses
ASIC's Moneysmart provides free and independent financial information and tools to help consumers and investors, including business owners and self-employed people, manage their money.
Money management content that can help people in business or for those who are self-employed include:
- Income tax - find out how much tax you need to pay
- Self-employment - money management when you are self employed
- Super for self-employed people - why and how to pay yourself super
Tools available for people in business include:
- GST calculator - how to calculate Australian goods and services tax
- Income tax calculator - how much Australian income tax you should be paying
- Employer contributions superannuation calculator - work out how much super to pay staff, as an employer
Business owners can also help their staff by directing them to the money management resources and information available on Moneysmart. For example, information about budgeting, saving and superannuation.
Latest ASIC news
Stay informed about ASIC updates, newsletters and regulatory information relevant to small businesses, companies and company directors.
Other related resources
Tax and super
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides practical resources to help small business owners understand and meet their tax and super obligations, including guidance on record keeping, lodgement, payment, and upcoming changes such as Payday Super.
Resources include the annual Tax Time Toolkit, small business benchmarks, checklists, and more than 30 free online courses designed to build business and tax knowledge.
- Tax Time toolkit for small business | ATO (PDF 1.57MB)
- Essentials to strengthen your small business | ATO
Competition and consumer laws
The Australian Competition Commissioner (ACCC) provides guidance and tools to help small businesses comply with Australia's competition and consumer laws, including information on fair trading, consumer guarantees, unfair contract terms, franchising and industry codes.
Complaints about financial firms
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) provides a free, independent dispute resolution service for eligible small businesses with complaints about financial firms, including issues relating to banking, lending, insurance and financial advice.
Small Businesses with a financial complaint | AFCA
Workplace obligations
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) makes it easier for small business employers to access information about their workplace obligations. Their Small Business Showcase has resources, advice and tailored information that covers everything from hiring employees, to calculating pay and resolving issues in the workplace.
Fair Work Ombudsman Small Business Showcase | FWO
Resolving disputes with other businesses or government agencies
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) can help you resolve disputes with other businesses and government agencies. They can:
- provide you with information to help you resolve a dispute in a timely, low-cost way
- help you access low-cost legal advice (eligibility criteria apply) and arrange dispute resolution, such as mediation.
For more information, see ASBFEO dispute support.
Financial counselling
The Small Business Debt Helpline provides free advice for small businesses that are having trouble with their finances.
Mental health support
NewAccess for Small Business is a free mental health coaching program run by Beyond Blue. The program helps small business owners and sole traders manage stress and anxiety.
For more free resources and services, see business.gov.au’s page on Mental health and wellbeing support for business.
business.gov.au
business.gov.au is a great website to visit if you have questions about starting, running or growing a business in Australia. It provides information about how to set up your finances, improve your cashflow, manage disputes and manage being in debt.
business.gov.au also provides helpful tools and templates, such as a cashflow template, marketing plan template and cyber security checklist.