Category: Education and Training

For many small business owners, employment law is one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of running a business. The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out minimum entitlements and obligations for employers and employees across Australia, and getting it wrong can be costly.

The National Employment Standards

The National Employment Standards (NES) are minimum entitlements that apply to all employees covered by the national workplace relations system, including annual leave, personal leave, parental leave and notice of termination.

The Fair Work Ombudsman maintains free, plain-English guides, pay calculators and employment contract templates.

Modern Awards

Most employees are covered by a Modern Award setting minimum pay rates and conditions for their industry. As a small business employer, it is your responsibility to identify which award applies and ensure you are paying at least the award minimum rate.

Small Business Unfair Dismissal Rules

Businesses with fewer than 15 employees have different unfair dismissal rules under the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code. Employees must generally have been employed for at least 12 months before making a claim.

For workplace health and safety obligations alongside your Fair Work responsibilities, visit Safe Work Australia. SBTC members can also access our quarterly employment law update webinars and HR advisory helpline.

Staying digitally competitive has become essential for small businesses. The good news is there are more high-quality, free training resources available to Australian business owners than ever before. Here are five that SBTC members have found genuinely useful.

1. Digital Business — business.gov.au

The Australian Government’s business.gov.au platform has a dedicated Digital Business section offering free learning modules covering website building, digital marketing tools and cyber threat protection.

2. Google Digital Garage

Google’s free training platform at learndigital.withgoogle.com offers accredited short courses in digital marketing, data analytics and online business fundamentals.

3. TAFE Short Courses

Most state TAFE providers offer subsidised short courses covering bookkeeping, social media, customer service and business planning. Check your state TAFE website for current offerings.

4. ACCC Small Business Hub

The ACCC’s education resources cover competition law, consumer law and dispute handling. Visit accc.gov.au for the full resource library.

5. SBTC Member Webinar Series

SBTC members receive free access to our monthly live webinar series. Recent sessions have covered AI tools for small business, pricing strategy and navigating supply chain disruptions. Recordings are available in the member portal.

For many small business owners, employment law is one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of running a business. The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out the minimum entitlements and obligations for employers and employees across Australia, and getting it wrong can be costly. Here’s what you need to know.

The National Employment Standards

The National Employment Standards (NES) are the minimum entitlements that apply to all employees covered by the national workplace relations system. They include provisions for annual leave, personal and carer’s leave, parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and notice of termination.

The Fair Work Ombudsman maintains a free, comprehensive resource centre with plain-English guides, pay calculators and templates for employment contracts and letters of engagement.

Modern Awards

Most employees are covered by a Modern Award, which sets minimum pay rates and conditions specific to their industry or occupation. As a small business employer, it is your responsibility to identify which award applies to each of your employees and ensure you are paying at least the award minimum rate.

Unfair Dismissal Protections for Small Business

Small businesses (those with fewer than 15 employees) have different unfair dismissal rules under the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code. Employees must generally have been employed for at least 12 months before they can make an unfair dismissal claim against a small business.

For ongoing training and compliance support, SBTC members can access our HR advisory helpline or attend our quarterly employment law update webinars. You can also explore the Safe Work Australia website for workplace health and safety obligations that sit alongside your Fair Work responsibilities.

Staying digitally competitive has become essential for small businesses across every industry. The good news is there are more high-quality, free training resources available to Australian business owners than ever before. Here are five that SBTC members have found genuinely useful.

1. Digital Business — business.gov.au

The Australian Government’s business.gov.au platform has a dedicated Digital Business section offering free online learning modules covering everything from building a website to using digital marketing tools and protecting your business from cyber threats. Modules are self-paced and designed for people without prior technical knowledge.

2. Google Digital Garage

Google’s free training platform at learndigital.withgoogle.com offers accredited short courses in digital marketing, data analytics and online business fundamentals. Certificates are issued on completion and are recognised by many industry bodies.

3. TAFE Short Courses

Most state TAFE providers offer subsidised or free short courses for small business owners under various state government initiatives. Topics include bookkeeping, social media, customer service and business planning. Check your state’s TAFE website for current offerings.

4. ACCC Small Business Hub

The ACCC’s small business education resources cover competition law, consumer law, and how to handle disputes with suppliers and customers. The hub is regularly updated and includes interactive case studies. Visit accc.gov.au for the full resource library.

5. SBTC Member Webinar Series

SBTC members receive free access to our monthly live webinar series covering topics drawn directly from member survey feedback. Recent sessions have covered AI tools for small business, pricing strategy and navigating supply chain disruptions. Recordings are available in the member portal.