The New South Wales (NSW) government is planning to expand a successful pilot programme providing a one-stop shop service for small business owners, making it easier for them to start cafes, restaurants and small bars.
The ‘Easy to do Business’ programme piloted in Parramatta reduced the average time taken to start a business from 18 months to just three months. It helped 31 small businesses by replacing 30 government forms with a single online application, connecting them with a case manager and reducing the amount of duplicated information customers were previously required to provide by nearly half.
The program is a joint initiative between Service NSW, the Offices of the NSW Small Business Commissioner, NSW Customer Service Commissioner and Parramatta Council. It will soon be expanded to include local councils in the Northern Beaches, Georges River and Dubbo.
In addition, there are plans to expand the programme to include four other business sectors: clothing retail, housing construction, print business and road freight.
The Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro, said that the program removed barriers and obstacles for small business.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Victor Dominello, commented, “The rapid expansion in digital technology provides an opportunity for government to make life easier for prospective small business owners.”
Read the press release here.