New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
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:
- Newstart
- Parenting Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Youth Allowance
- Other Centrelink allowances
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. They are held in Perth suburbs north and south of the river. Please call us on 9430 9342 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
- 12 months of business mentoring by professional business coaches
- NEIS allowance equal to Newstart allowance for 12 months
- The opportunity to meet and interact with others who have been through the NEIS program
- Access to all of the other services offered by Business Foundations.
Call us on 9430 9342 if you need any more information.
How is NEIS funded?
The scheme is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
