You can download the Business Foundations NEIS application form as a PDF.
All applicants must attend an information session to find out what opportunities exist for you and what you will be required to do.
If you have not attended one of these sessions, you need to call us on 9430 9342 before you send us your application form.
About the allowance
Do I have to swap to the NEIS allowance from my current payments?
Yes, unless you are receiving one of the following:
Do I pay tax on the NEIS allowance?
Yes, so you must consider this in your financial projections.
Can I receive rent assistance while I’m on the NEIS allowance?
If you were eligible for rent assistance before you began NEIS then you can continue to receive this extra allowance for 26 weeks (6 months).
Do you provide grants or loans to help start my business?
No. If you are organising a loan or business partnership which will change your circumstances compared to when you applied, you need to let us know.
Am I eligibile if I’m receiving the Family Tax Benefit?
No, if you are only receiving FTB you are not eligible. You should talk to Centrelink about your options.
The eligible Centrelink benefits include:
Am I still eligible if I’ve already started my business?
Yes, as long as you are not “commercially operating”. You can register the business name and ABN, register for GST, and organise business cards, stock, leases and so on.
What does “commercially operating” mean?
Hobby activities and small-scale businesses such as weekend market stalls may be considered to not be commercially operating. If the business income has been minimal, and only used as supplementary income, you may be eligible.
If your business matches one or more of these descriptions it may be considered to be commercially operating:
Each case is assessed individually so talk to us about your situation.
Can I buy a business or join a franchise?
No. Businesses must be new to be eligible for NEIS.
Can I go into business with a partner?
Yes. If the other person is not eligible for NEIS then you must control 51% or more of the business. In all cases a NEIS partnership agreement must be signed.
What sort of business can I run?
The business can be in any area as long as it is:
Pre-NEIS training
Do I still have to report to Centrelink during training?
Yes, you must submit your forms, but as the training is an “approved activity” you are not required to look for work. When filling in your forms:
Write ‘no’ in the area asking if you looked for workWrite ‘yes’ in the area asking if you took part in an approved activity
Enter ‘Pre-NEIS Training’ as the type of activity.If Centrelink or your Job Services Australia provider asks you for an interview during training you must comply.
Am I automatically entitled to join the NEIS program when I have completed training?
No, your business plan must be approved in order for you to commence the NEIS allowance. When you have finished your business plan and financials we assess them to determine whether you have met the criteria for NEIS.
What do I do if I haven’t finished my business plan and financials at the end of the course?
The pre-NEIS training gives you up to 13 weeks’ exemption from looking for work, which includes the 5 weeks of course time.
During NEIS
Am I allowed to work at another job or study while on NEIS?
Yes, as long it does not interfere with working full time in your business. You must not exceed the allowed external income threshold and you must declare all external income on your income statements.
Can I travel while on NEIS?
Yes, if the travel is part of your business plan. In this situation your allowance will not be affected. You can also undertake limited travel which is not in the business plan but is related to the operation of the business, however your allowance will be suspended during this time. Travel which is not business-related means you would not be working in the business so this is not acceptable.
Can I lose my allowance?
Yes, there are some circumstances in which your allowance can be suspended or terminated. You must:
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a self-employment program which trains, funds and coaches eligible unemployed Perth people to establish and run their own businesses. We help clients from across Perth to access NEIS services.
Eligibility
To be eligible for NEIS you must be at least 18 years of age, available to participate in training in the Perth metropolitan area, and able to work full time in the business. You must be in receipt of an eligible Centrelink benefit including:
You must not have received NEIS assistance in the last two years, and cannot have received NEIS assistance for a similar business activity.
Note that if you are only receiving family tax benefits (FTB) you are not eligible for NEIS. You should talk to Centrelink about your options.
Your business must be legal and reputable, new (not a purchase or franchise) and not currently commercially operating.
How to apply
To apply for NEIS, you must have a viable business idea which fills a market need. You'll need the necessary experience, skills and attitude to become a successful small business operator.
Research
Carefully investigate the business that you're proposing. You need to show us that you have a good knowledge of what you're getting into. Know what sort of business you want to run, where and how you plan to operate it and what market you expect to meet.
Phone Business Foundations to book into an information session
We hold information seminars to prospective participants of the NEIS program. Please call us on 9430 8569 to book into a session where you will find out what opportunities exist for you and what you will be required to do.
At the information session you will receive an application form. Business Foundations will review your application and if you are successful then we will contact you to discuss training venue locations and dates that will suit you best.
Attend business training
If you're accepted, you will receive expert training to give you the best possible start in running a small business. Business Foundations is a registered training organisation and offers training at Certificate III level, Micro Business Operations. These are nationally recognised qualifications and the training covers essential issues in running a small business.
Submit your business plan
During the training, you will be given help to investigate the market for your business and develop a business plan. This plan must be submitted so that we can assess how viable your business idea is for the purposes of the NEIS program. It will be reviewed by a group of business professionals who will give you expert feedback on the level of potential of your idea. If the panel agrees your business idea is viable, you are entered into the NEIS program for a year and given access to business coaching and NEIS payments.
Running your own business
You will now be able to start your business with the security of still receiving fortnightly payments equivalent to Newstart. After a year, your payments cease, but you can continue to receive free business support as long as you require.
What you receive
Call us on 9430 8569 if you need any more information.
How is NEIS funded?
The scheme is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).