Small Business Charter – Small Business Association of Australia

Small Business Charter

Small Business Charter of Australia – Think Small Business First

Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy. They are a key source of employment and a platform for business innovation. Small Businesses are also the most sensitive to changes and the first to suffer if weighed down with excessive bureaucracy, changing rules, draconian regulation and unfair competition. Governments and policy makers need to adopt a more sophisticated approach towards small business by providing an economic plan for small business. Such plans need to identify strategic priorities and create opportunities for global economic sustainability for Australian small businesses. Small businesses make up the majority of businesses in modern contemporary economies ranging from 96% to 99.7%. For your copy of the Small Business Charter of Australia email [email protected]
 

“To date Australia has never had a Small Business Charter”

At the SBAA Summit held at the Southern Cross University Gold Coast in May 2017, ten pillars were identified as the core activities. Those pillars now form the framework of The Small Business Charter of Australia. The Charter is a living document that will constantly change to reflect current trends and requirements. The Charter is the foundation for the advocacy position SBAA will adopt. It incorporates all levels of government across all States and Territories. It seeks to ensure that all governments will recognise the valid elements within the Charter and work in the best interests of Australian small business.  


Ten Pillars of Small Business

SBAA has identified ten pillars for small business, these pillars may grow or change over the lifetime of this strategic plan. The ten pillars form the framework for the SBAA Small Business Charter.

  • 1.Entrepreneurship

    Adapt government policy to recognise the necessity to support innovation and the value of small business entrepreneurship.

  • 2.Industrial Relations (IR)

    Ensure small business needs are fairly represented in IR and any associated policy making.

  • 3.Technology

    Facilitate access to the best information, research and technologies.

  • 4.Competitiveness

    Enable small businesses to compete in local, regional, national and global opportunities.

  • 5.Finance

    Facilitate access to finance at favourable terms in a supportive fiscal, legal and competitive business environment. Destructive legal actions against small business owners are to be avoided.

  • 6.Taxes

    Ensure the development of small business is aided during the early years with supportive tax rates and other incentives that promote sustainability.

  • 7.Regulation

    Ensure Government administrators are responsive to the needs of small business. Adopt clear terminologies as to the definition of Small Businesses.

  • 8.Trade

    Facilitate small business participation in Government procurement policies, international trade and exchange.

  • 9.Education and Training

    Support affordable education and training in business practice, technology, innovation, management and leadership skills for business owners.

  • 10.Climate Change/Energy

    Ensure that environmental, infrastructure including water, energy, telecommunications planning, digital cities, digital government and digital industry initiatives take into account small business first.

‘Building relationships that support, sustain and grow small business opportunities’