Small Business Financial Counselling Services

Small Business Financial counselling services provides free, impartial and confidential financial counselling and are available to businesses to help them plan for the future and pull through adversity, including:

  • understanding finances
  • accessing government assistance
  • identifying risk
  • dealing with debt
  • succession planning
  • business plans.

Small Business Support North Queensland | free, impartial, confidential

Jessica Winter

Jess supports small business owners in Cairns and surrounding areas.

Email: jessica@sbsnq.com.au
Phone: 0447 754 739

Paul Misipeka - Financial Resilience Program

Paul is based in Cairns and works with small business owners across FNQ and the lead for the Financial Resilience Program.

Email: paul@sbsnq.com.au
Phone: 0448 307 635

Mentoring for Growth (M4G)

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.

When you participate in the M4G program, the Queensland Government matches its mentors’ expertise and experience with the business challenge or opportunity you have identified.

Mentors are drawn from a Queensland-wide pool of more than 300 registered mentors. All mentors have expertise and experience in coaching and/or developing businesses.

Mentoring for Growth is currently being delivered predominantly online. The program is available to businesses across Queensland.

Mentoring for Growth program | Business Queensland

The Queensland Government Business Assist connects small and family business owners with the right information on programs and services to support their unique situation.

Melissa Fox is our Small Business Assistance Officer in Far North Queensland. Based in Cairns, Melissa supports businesses from the Cassowary Coast to the Torres Strait.

JCU Tax Clinic

The JCU Tax Clinic may be able to assist if:

  • you need advice and assistance regarding a tax matter;
  • you are uncertain of how to respond to a notice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO);
  • you require assistance with your tax affairs such as:
    • meeting reporting or filing requirements;
    • applying for remission of penalties and/or interest;
    • negotiating a payment plan with the ATO; or
    • assistance with computing tax liability;
  • you are dissatisfied with an assessment and want to know what your rights are;
  • you have an on-going issue with the ATO; or
  • you need some assistance in understanding how to complete your taxation return.

Tax Clinic – CBLG – JCU Australia

Self-employment Assistance

Services – Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government provides business advice sessions, business health checks and small business coaching.

Phone: 1800 161 335

Email: Cairnsselfemploymentassistanceprogram@busyatwork.com

Location: 15 Vernon St ATHERTON QLD 4883

QLD Small Business Commissioner (QSBC)

QLD Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) delivers services to improve the business environment for small and family businesses. This includes reducing the time and cost of resolving retail lease disputes and small business lease disputes and providing advice and assistance to support their success.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner – qld.gov.au

These web sites provide up-to-date references and information for businesses and industry.