Employment and small business | What we do | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Source: https://djsir.vic.gov.au/what-we-do/employment-and-small-business
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Employment and small business | What we do | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
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What we do
Employment and small business
Employment and small business
Introduction
We focus on jobs and inclusion, working with Victorian businesses to help them start, grow and prosper, create job opportunities and promote an inclusive economy. Working in partnership with local communities and supporting people looking for secure and sustainable jobs in priority sectors, we help to deliver the workforces of the future, and deliver high quality services, information and expert advice.
Our employment initiatives provide targeted support to people who face challenges finding employment. Our free services are focussed on the areas most in need.
Business Victoria helps businesses to plan, start and grow by providing information and assistance, expert business advice and low cost and local skills development training opportunities.
For a summary of the latest trends in Victoria’s economy, visit the
Summary of Victorian economic data
dashboard.
For analysis of the latest trends in the Victorian labour market, visit the
Victorian labour force
dashboard. This summarises data from previous and current Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data releases including demographics such as regions, age, sex and industry.
For details about employment opportunities within the department, visit our
Careers
page.
Websites
Business Victoria
Victorian Small Business Commission
Strategies and initiatives
Employment initiatives
Work and Learning Centres
help jobseekers, especially those living in or waiting for public and social housing, to find local training, work experience and jobs. They’re in North Geelong, Gippsland and Ballarat.
Thrive Hubs
help people who are looking for work or to retrain. Their local connections can help people to get into a job or training program. They're in Broadmeadows, Frankston, Fitzroy and Seymour.
The
Digital Jobs
program provides construction and advanced manufacturing businesses with access to free training. This aims to upskill leaders and workers with digital skills critical for innovation and technology adoption.
The
Youth Employment Scheme
provides young people with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training.
The Parkville College Employment Program is helping young people leaving youth justice to find jobs. Employment Pathway Coordinators at
Parkville College
help connect students to employment and training services based on the student’s skills, interests and needs.
Social and microenterprises
The Victorian Government’s
Social Enterprise Strategy
aims to improve and expand Victoria’s social enterprise sector. The strategy is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to create more inclusive jobs and deliver enhanced economic and social value to the Victorian community.
Business Victoria services
Business Victoria offers a range of tools, grants, programs and support services for Victorian businesses to operate and build business capability, including:
The
Small Business Support Toolkits Program
offers localised workshops, live webinars, one-on-one confidential business advice and self-guided learning opportunities for established and emerging business owners.
The
Small Business Bus
travels around metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, helping small businesses develop ideas and capabilities. It offers resources and support through various government organisations as well as business assistance from expert advisers.
Partnering with business associations, local councils and other organisations to connect and grow multicultural businesses across Victoria.
Workplace wellbeing
providing mental health and business wellbeing support for sole traders, small businesses and employees.
Projects
Fair Payments Policy
The Victorian Government's
Contracts for fair payments policy
has been established to support small and medium businesses by increasing the timeliness and certainty of cash flow. The policy applies to department and agency contracts entered for goods and services, including Works or Construction Services.
Better Approvals for Business program
The
Better Approvals for Business program
is part of the Victorian Government’s regulation reform agenda focused on improving planning and other business approvals processes to support economic growth.
Small Business Regulation Review
Business Victoria has reviewed the regulatory burdens placed on small businesses across the state. Cutting red tape for small businesses supports entrepreneurs and helps business grow, contribute to Victoria's economy and generate new employment opportunities. Find out more
Small Business Retail Regulation Review
.
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation
In 2024, we commissioned an independent evaluation of 2 large business support programs delivered during the pandemic:
Business Costs Assistance Program (BCAP)
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund (LHVF)
Download evaluation report:
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
(PDF 2411.55 KB)
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report - accessible version
COVID 19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
(DOCX 1885.46 KB)
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee
The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee was a pilot program that ran from 14 March 2022 to 30 June 2024. The Victorian Government trialled a nation-first approach to supporting eligible casual and contract workers with sick and carer’s pay.
Download evaluation report:
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report
Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report
(PDF 513.49 KB)
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version
(DOCX 244.11 KB)
Grants, awards and scholarships
Business Victoria offers a range of grants and programs to support businesses. To find one for your business, see:
Grants and programs
.
Divisional owners and entities
Small Business and Employment
The Small Business and Employment Branch is part of the Economic Policy, Programs and Services Group. It is responsible for
Business Victoria
and employment initiatives (including Inclusion and Partnerships).
Victorian Small Business Commission
The
Victorian Small Business Commission
provides quick, effective, neutral and low-cost mediation services to small businesses.
Contact details
Contact Business Victoria
or call the Business Victoria hotline 13 22 15
Contact the Victorian Small Business Commission
or call 1800 878 964
Page last updated:
10 March 2026
Skip to content
Skip to navigation
Home
What we do
Employment and small business
Employment and small business
Introduction
We focus on jobs and inclusion, working with Victorian businesses to help them start, grow and prosper, create job opportunities and promote an inclusive economy. Working in partnership with local communities and supporting people looking for secure and sustainable jobs in priority sectors, we help to deliver the workforces of the future, and deliver high quality services, information and expert advice.
Our employment initiatives provide targeted support to people who face challenges finding employment. Our free services are focussed on the areas most in need.
Business Victoria helps businesses to plan, start and grow by providing information and assistance, expert business advice and low cost and local skills development training opportunities.
For a summary of the latest trends in Victoria’s economy, visit the
Summary of Victorian economic data
dashboard.
For analysis of the latest trends in the Victorian labour market, visit the
Victorian labour force
dashboard. This summarises data from previous and current Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data releases including demographics such as regions, age, sex and industry.
For details about employment opportunities within the department, visit our
Careers
page.
Websites
Business Victoria
Victorian Small Business Commission
Strategies and initiatives
Employment initiatives
Work and Learning Centres
help jobseekers, especially those living in or waiting for public and social housing, to find local training, work experience and jobs. They’re in North Geelong, Gippsland and Ballarat.
Thrive Hubs
help people who are looking for work or to retrain. Their local connections can help people to get into a job or training program. They're in Broadmeadows, Frankston, Fitzroy and Seymour.
The
Digital Jobs
program provides construction and advanced manufacturing businesses with access to free training. This aims to upskill leaders and workers with digital skills critical for innovation and technology adoption.
The
Youth Employment Scheme
provides young people with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training.
The Parkville College Employment Program is helping young people leaving youth justice to find jobs. Employment Pathway Coordinators at
Parkville College
help connect students to employment and training services based on the student’s skills, interests and needs.
Social and microenterprises
The Victorian Government’s
Social Enterprise Strategy
aims to improve and expand Victoria’s social enterprise sector. The strategy is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to create more inclusive jobs and deliver enhanced economic and social value to the Victorian community.
Business Victoria services
Business Victoria offers a range of tools, grants, programs and support services for Victorian businesses to operate and build business capability, including:
The
Small Business Support Toolkits Program
offers localised workshops, live webinars, one-on-one confidential business advice and self-guided learning opportunities for established and emerging business owners.
The
Small Business Bus
travels around metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, helping small businesses develop ideas and capabilities. It offers resources and support through various government organisations as well as business assistance from expert advisers.
Partnering with business associations, local councils and other organisations to connect and grow multicultural businesses across Victoria.
Workplace wellbeing
providing mental health and business wellbeing support for sole traders, small businesses and employees.
Projects
Fair Payments Policy
The Victorian Government's
Contracts for fair payments policy
has been established to support small and medium businesses by increasing the timeliness and certainty of cash flow. The policy applies to department and agency contracts entered for goods and services, including Works or Construction Services.
Better Approvals for Business program
The
Better Approvals for Business program
is part of the Victorian Government’s regulation reform agenda focused on improving planning and other business approvals processes to support economic growth.
Small Business Regulation Review
Business Victoria has reviewed the regulatory burdens placed on small businesses across the state. Cutting red tape for small businesses supports entrepreneurs and helps business grow, contribute to Victoria's economy and generate new employment opportunities. Find out more
Small Business Retail Regulation Review
.
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation
In 2024, we commissioned an independent evaluation of 2 large business support programs delivered during the pandemic:
Business Costs Assistance Program (BCAP)
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund (LHVF)
Download evaluation report:
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
(PDF 2411.55 KB)
COVID-19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report - accessible version
COVID 19 Business Support Grants Evaluation Report
(DOCX 1885.46 KB)
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee
The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee was a pilot program that ran from 14 March 2022 to 30 June 2024. The Victorian Government trialled a nation-first approach to supporting eligible casual and contract workers with sick and carer’s pay.
Download evaluation report:
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report
Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report
(PDF 513.49 KB)
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version
Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version
(DOCX 244.11 KB)
Grants, awards and scholarships
Business Victoria offers a range of grants and programs to support businesses. To find one for your business, see:
Grants and programs
.
Divisional owners and entities
Small Business and Employment
The Small Business and Employment Branch is part of the Economic Policy, Programs and Services Group. It is responsible for
Business Victoria
and employment initiatives (including Inclusion and Partnerships).
Victorian Small Business Commission
The
Victorian Small Business Commission
provides quick, effective, neutral and low-cost mediation services to small businesses.
Contact details
Contact Business Victoria
or call the Business Victoria hotline 13 22 15
Contact the Victorian Small Business Commission
or call 1800 878 964
Page last updated:
10 March 2026