Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)

Straddling the frontline of the energy transition, Australia’s small businesses find themselves in a precarious position. They strive for green energy adoption while grappling with the sting of rising energy costs. Over one-third have faced energy hardship in the past year, outpacing the financial distress experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. COSBOA would like the government to support targeted education, advice, and financial resources to help small businesses through the energy transition. Read the full findings in the Small Business Perspective Report –https://lnkd.in/gsgHmiD3 #SmallBusinessPerspective #SmallBusinessData #SmallBusinessPolicy

It was Queanbeyan’s turn for the NSW Small Business Month Expos touring the state. In a practical session about Cyber Wardens, attendees heard about the skills and tools needed to defend against cyber threats and creating a culture of cyber awareness and resilience, ensuring small businesses can protect themselves in an increasingly digital world. These Expos bring together small business owners, industry leaders, and government representatives to provide invaluable resources and support to the small business community, fostering growth and innovation throughout the state. https://lnkd.in/gmWxuFwF #NSWSmallBizMonth #CyberWardens NSW Small Business Commissioner

It's time to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and contribution small business makes to WA. More than 225,000 small businesses – which make up 97% of all WA business – contribute $50.1 billion to the state’s economy. We were delighted to host our third Industry Leaders Lunch for the year in Perth in July with robust discussions around the theme of the day “Back Small Business: Productivity, Payment Times, and Procurement.” Watch the video from the day here - https://lnkd.in/gzsp6MiE Tomorrow during WA Small Business Day, think small first. By shopping at a small business, you support the heart of the WA economy. #SmallbizWA

The COSBOA team was at the Batemans Bay Soldier’s Club today as part of the NSW Small Business Month Expos touring the state. The team shared information about Cyber Wardens and Small Business PEAK. COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat presented ‘Cyber Secure: Safeguarding your business in a digital age’. In this practical session Luke shared the skills and tools needed to defend against cyber threats with Cyber Wardens. These Expos bring together small business owners, industry leaders, and government representatives to provide invaluable resources and support to the small business community, fostering growth and innovation throughout the state. Great to catch up with and hear from NSW Small Business Commissioner, Chris Lamont. https://lnkd.in/dKNGVqW4 #NSWSmallBizMonth #SmallBusiness #CyberWardens #SmallBusinessPEAK Cindy Rue Elizabeth Picker

According to the recently released Small Business Perspective Report by COSBOA, Australian small businesses continue to face significant workforce challenges, including a critical shortage of both skilled and unskilled workers – with this shortage limiting business growth. A multifaceted strategy that includes targeted migration, enhanced financial and operational support, and a focus on skills development, is required to tackle the workforce challenges of Australian small businesses. Further, it is vital to ensure that small businesses are considered in national workforce strategies. COSBOA has been appointed to the Jobs and Skills Board by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and appreciates the opportunity to advocate for small businesses, represent our members as the only organisation that solely represents small businesses and speaks for their distinct experiences, struggles, and needs. Read more about workforce and training challenges small businesses are facing in the Small Business Perspective Report – https://lnkd.in/gsgHmiD3 #SmallBusinessPerspective #SmallBusinessData #SmallBusinessPolicy

Recapping a busy and impactful few weeks at the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA): -We hosted our Kickstarter Challenge Final at Parliament House which saw Rosie Dumbrell (founder of Everform Therapywear) take out the main prize, and the amazing high school agri-whiz-kid Isabelle O'Sullivan as the Enterprising ME winner. All finalists were congratulated by Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, the Governor-General who gave a fantastic address. -We launched our Small Business Perspectives Report that highlights operating challenges in conjunction with Commonwealth Bank with coverage across the front page of The Australian and its editorial, The Australian Financial Review, breakfast television, 2GB radio with Ben Fordham, The Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, ABC Radio National and Sky News. Rebecca Warren Steven Blaney -We hosted our COSBOA Council Day at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra to review the year in numbers including 100% member retention, 12 new association members joining COSBOA and over 40 policy submissions made to government. We discussed the significance of being appointed the only business representative as a Designated Complainant by the ACCC and the dynamics of an upcoming federal election. -We convened our Annual General Meeting which saw new director Rachel Smith from Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association elected to a formidable board alongside Matthew Addison Christine Pope, President Australian Traditional Medicine Society Simon Foster Jos de Bruin Wes Lambert CPA, FGIA, CAE, MAICD Denita Wawn Andrew Ngeow and Ann Davey. -Networking drinks were hosted by Simeon Duncan and Intuit followed by informal dinner with guests Angus Taylor MP Murray Watt David Pocock The Hon Bruce Billson GAICD and a toast by Lisa Belcher from American Express. -We represented small business at SXSW Sydney at Darling Harbour discussing cyber awareness strategies. A fantastic panel including Renée Baltov and Andrew Charlton the Special Envoy for Cyber Resilience on the need for small business uplift and the role of programs like Cyber Wardens. Many thanks to the amazing COSBOA team William Harris Catherine Donnan Adele Sutton Sonia Sadrani Cindy Rue Aaron Jessop Alvin Lo Zoe Dyson-Smith Mike Sommerton, and our partners, sponsors and members!

COSBOA is a key member of the Executive Cyber Council, working alongside government and prominent industry leaders, to promote stronger cyber defences for Australian small businesses, this Cyber Security Awareness Month and every month. As well as activating multi-factor authentication, applying all software updates, avoiding password reuse, and learning to identify phishing emails, small businesses can enrol in Cyber Wardens to #StopTheHack. Get the tools and knowledge to secure your business operations against cyber threats and foster a culture of vigilance and security within your team. Learn more about #CyberWardens and sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gm5ZgwH4 #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth2024

The Australian small business community faces a significant cash flow crunch, fuelled by soaring business and living costs and exacerbated by unpaid debt from the high number of business insolvencies nationwide. COSBOA has put forward targeted policy interventions to alleviate business costs. These interventions will support small business sustainability, enhance business resilience and lead to a reduced cost of living and an environment where both businesses and consumers thrive. COSBOA’s latest Small Business Perspectives Report highlights several critical challenges facing Australia’s small business sector, including the cost of doing business. Access the report here – https://lnkd.in/gsgHmiD3 #SmallBusinessPerspective #SmallBusinessData #SmallBusinessPolicy

COSBOA recently joined with Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and CAFBA – Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia in a meeting with NSW Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper and the NSW Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos MP to explain the consequences for homebuyers and small businesses should payroll tax be applied to mortgage and finance broker commissions. COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat said that the payroll tax was similar to a tax on jobs. This comes off the back for COSBOA’s continued calls for broad-based tax reform in Australia and the raising of payroll tax thresholds. Read more here - https://lnkd.in/gsx9E6mH

Last Wednesday, the Kickstarter Challenge 2024 winner was announced following the five finalists presenting their groundbreaking ideas. Congratulations to Rosie Dumbrell from Everform Therapywear, who secured $30,000 in equity-free funding to help accelerate her business idea. Everform™, a patent-pending medical compression system for pregnancy and postpartum, empowers women worldwide by revolutionising comfort, confidence, and body mobility. Congratulations also to the finalists: Kylie Wallace, Upcycle; Catherine McDougall, Support Plus; Catherine Mary Said, Gooday; and Ebony Kriedemann and Morgan Becker, InPsync. Read more about the winner and finalists – truly inspiring entrepreneurs! https://lnkd.in/gb9xTgx Presented by Accelerator for Enterprising Women, proudly supported by COSBOA, Visa, and the Australian Government . #enterprisingWomen #KS2024 #Kickstarter2024 #Entrepreneur