GETTING STARTED How Do I Apply

What is NEIS?

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a Commonwealth Government program designed to assist unemployed people who have a viable business idea. The package of assistance available includes:

Trainingin Certificate lll in Micro Business Operations or Certificate lV in Small Business Management, business skills and business plan development;
NEIS Income Allowancefor up to 9 months, and;
Business guidanceand mentor supportduring the first year of business operation.

There are no loans, grants or lump sum payments available to NEIS participants.

Who is eligible?

Job Seekers who are:

Receiving at least a part Allowance or Pension from Centrelink (eg. Newstart, Youth Allowance, Sole Parent Pension, Disability Pension, Parenting Payment Partnered, Carers Pension, DVA pension);
Registered with Centrelink as looking for work with an active Job Seeker ID number. We recommend that you submit your proposal and a business consultant will confirm your eligibility with Centrelink directly;
Over 18 years and less than Age Pension age; and
Not an undischarged bankrupt.

There is no minimum registration period for the NEIS program. As long as you have received one payment you will be eligible. Clients receiving a part payment are also eligible.

What types of businesses are eligible?

In order for businesses to be eligible for NEIS allowance they must be:

New and yet to operate commercially on a full-time basis;
Independent (not a franchise, multi-level marketing or exclusive arrangement); and
Reputable andLegal

Although the business does not need to be a totally new concept or invention, you must be able to demonstrate that there is anunmet demand or a need for your proposed business in your area or that the product/service can be provided in a new way that is currently not available.

A proposal for the purchase or take-over of a closed business will need to be limited to stock, plant and equipment from that business and cannot include goodwill or customers.

Why apply with BSG?

Business Success Group (BSG) has delivered NEIS in Queensland since 1992 and has assisted thousands of businesses throughthe program, regularly achieving the highest success rate in Queensland. BSG has developed flexible training systems and to assist applicants from rural and regional centres training can be accessed through an online student portal.

Our clients and programs have won state and national awards in small business training. You could become part of an established and vibrant network of business owners and join the most successful NEIS provider in Queensland. See our website for some of our success stories -

NEIS Allowance – the payments you will receive

NEIS Allowance is comparable to your current rate of unemployment and/or pension entitlement and is not subject to means test once you are in business. Family Allowance Supplement may be payable by Centrelink to NEIS participants with dependent children, subject to the normal conditions. The NEIS Allowance is paid once a fortnight and takes over from your current pension or benefit on approval of your business plan. It is paid for 39 weeks while you work full time in your business. Rental assistance is also available to NEIS participants who are already receiving this payment from Centrelink. Rental assistance is paid for up to 26 weeks.

The purpose of NEIS Allowance is to provide a basic income so you can reinvest profits back into your business to ensure it is viable and can support you at the end of 9 months.

Getting started – how do I apply?

Step 1Call 1300 666 612 and speak to a NEIS Business Consultant at BSG

NEIS Business Consultants are always happy to answer your queries or to clarify any points on your application. Simply call and ask the operator for assistance with a NEIS Information Kit. Our office is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm Mon-Fri. There is no need to phone if you do not have any questions

Step 2

Complete the following forms and attach the information requested -

Small Business Questions about your business idea
Resume
F22
Application for NEIS
TRN61 Application for Enrolment Form

A / Business Success Group
PO Box 5854
Manly Q 4179 / E
F /
(07) 3103 4369

Step 3Review of your responses to the Questionnaire

Business Success Group will review your responses to the questions about your business idea which will be assessed for commercial viability within one week. If assessed as potentially viable, you will be interviewed by a business consultant to address any issues about your business and to discuss training options.

Step 4Training Program

The training is completed either in a classroom (in some regions) or online. You must have access to email and a computer to complete the training program. During the training phase of the program you will remain on your normal Centrelink payment and you will be subject to the same income tests and conditions. You will become ineligible for the program if you become ineligible for a Centrelink benefit. During the training you have access to a trainer for assistance. The business plan must be completed and submitted prior to completing the course. At the time of DEEWR submissionALL applications MUST supply a ‘Certificate of Currency’ for insurance and certified copies of all statutory and regulatory licences required to commence business operations.

Training and business planning

Starting and managing a new business is not an easy task, even for the most experienced business person. There are many things to do and think about before you can commence your business in the market place. Your local NEIS Managing Agent, Business Success Group is there to provide business training and provide feedback on your business plan. Completion of training is a compulsory condition for NEIS applicants. Training is FREE to all eligible applicants.

Privacy Statement

Business Success Group Pty Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality and security of personal information provided to our organisation. The information you provide is necessary to process your application, determine your eligibility for NEIS Allowance and review the commercial viability and eligibility of your business proposal. Your information will only be used for the purposes of selection and approval of applicants for the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme and to provide you with information regarding training and networking opportunities which may arise during and after the program.

Queensland Government

Starting and running a small business can be very challenging. Many people feel overwhelmed by the research and planning involved and are not really sure where to start. The Business Support Service, provided by the Queensland Government, is an ideal starting point to source information for your new business.

General enquiries: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Small Business Questionnaire

Please answer as many of the questions below as you can and return to Business Success Group with all the completed forms listed on the top of page 2.

Question 1

What type of business will you be? Retail, Service, Manufacturing? Describe your business and list the products and services you will be selling.

Question 2

a)Why is there a need for your business idea in your area? Who are your potential customers?

b)Explain why you think your business will work. List any sales made or interest from ‘hobby’ or ‘testing’ of your product or service. If you haven’t, then explain who you have talked to about your business idea and who has encouraged you to believe that it will be successful.

c) Who are your competitors? How will your business be different?

Question 3

Do you know what licenses will be required to operate the proposed business? Check with your local council for local government regulations. Qld Government Business and Industry -general enquiries: 13 74 68

Question 4

What will be the cost of insurance? (please note NEIS businesses must have Public Liability insurance). Please contact your broker and obtain a quote. Alternatively you could call Synergy Gray on 07 5501 5111 for a quote.

Question 5

a)Where will you operate your business from? Home? Business premises?

b)If you are renting, have you asked your landlord for approval to operate the business from home? Do you need council approval to operate your business from this location?

Question 6

In the table below, please list:

a)The plant and equipment you will need to operate the business in the first column;

b)In the 2nd and 3rd columns enter the value of each item into the relevant column.

Plant and Equipment / Already
Own $ / Need to purchase $
Eg. Delivery Van / $10000 / $0
Eg. Trailer / $0 / $1500
Totals:

c)If you need to borrow money, please explain where it will come from, even if it is from family and friends.

Question 7

Complete the table below by entering the following information:

a)In the first column, list up to 5 broad product ranges or services that your business will offer;

b)In the next column enter how much it will costs to produce/provide each product/service;

c)In the third column enter how much you will charge for each product or service listed;

d)In the fourth column enter the number of units you expect to sell in the first year;

e)In the fifth column multiply the sales price by the estimated quantity you expect to sell for each product / service listed;

f)In the last column multiply the direct cost by the estimated quantity you expect to sell for each product / service listed.

Products/Services offered / Direct Costs / Sale Price / Qty yr 1 / Totals
Eg. concreting per sqm / $80/sqm / $120/sqm / Units / Sales / Direct Costs
1
2
3
4
5
Add the total of sales and costs / $ / $

Question 8

In the table below, work out the gross profit. This is the amount of money you will have from sales, after paying for the direct costs, to pay for business operating costs such as insurance, rent, motor vehicle expenses, stationery, promotional fliers and so on.

Expected Sales (1st yr) / Total
Sales / $
Less Direct costs / $
Gross Profit / $

Question 9

List your personal assets and liabilities. Use the replacement value of items. Include household items such as furniture, electrical goods, sports equipment (please note our Privacy Policy on page 2 of this document).

Assets / $ / Liabilities / $
House / Mortgage
Car / Loan
Household furniture/appliances / Credit card
Cash/ Savings
Tools
Sports equipment
Total: / Total:

What can I do to prepare for training?

You may not have much notice to attend training if your application is received the week before a course starts. If you are not ready, you may need to wait for the next course, which may be several weeks away. To prepare for the course, we recommend the following activities -

Research suppliers, possible competitors and use the web page references on the front page of this information kit, to compile as much information about your business idea as you can.

Apply to Veda Advantage for your FREE Credit Report (takes 2 -3 weeks). Download an application at and post for a free service. You should know your credit rating before starting in business.

It is strongly recommended that you visit these websites to assist you with your research

Business Planning /
Taxation Information / or
The Small Business Site /
Working with Contracts /
AusIndustry /
Australian Bureau of Statistics /
Department of State Development /
Importing and Exporting assistance / and
Legal Issues for Small Business /
Small Business Information /