NEIS: 30 years of helping job seekers start their own small businesses

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) which has helped over 150,000 job seekers start their own small business over the years.

Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker said that NEIS is an important component of the Australian Government’s new $6.8 billion jobactive employment system.

“The Government is committed to helping people to move from welfare to work, and for some job seekers the best pathway into work is through self-employment” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“As part of jobactive 21 organisations will provide NEIS services across the country to around 6,500 participants every year.”

“NEIS participants receive nationally accredited small business training, help to prepare a business plan and mentoring support throughout their first year of operation to ensure their business is on track and growing.

“Participants remain on income support for up to 39 weeks so that they can focus on giving the business the best start possible.

“I have met many people around the country who have been part of NEIS, and I am repeatedly struck by their energy to start a business, their determination to get off welfare, their desire to create a good job for themselves and to provide job opportunities for others.

“NEIS has helped kick start businesses in many different industries over the years – everything from a sole trader gardening business to a multi-million dollar manufacturing firm.

“The Australian Government knows that small business is the engine room of our economy and we know that many Australians who are looking for work have the talent and drive to become small business operators – NEIS can help provide that start.

“I encourage anyone looking for a job to consider starting their own business and to speak with their jobactive provider about how NEIS may be able to help them, just as it has helped thousands of others over the past three decades,” Mr Hartsuyker said.