Business owner toolkit

Find resources to help you get your business started. Learn how to create a business plan and conduct market research. You can also learn about your legal obligations.

• We provide information and online training modules to upskill local small business owners. Discover our Business Resources.
• If you are new to business and need help getting started, visit Business Queensland. 
• University of the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay provides a free Business Planning course.
• Are you starting a small business or a micro business? For free mentoring, training and financial support, visit the Self Employment Assistance Program.
• Looking for simple and cost-effective ideas to help your business look more inviting? Learn more with our shopfront improvement guidelines. 
• To help small businesses at tax time, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has useful resources. View the Tax time toolkits and small business essentials tax courses.
• Get business advice about work health and safety issues.

• Our Economic Development team provides workshops to help increase our business community's capabilities. Stay up to date with upcoming workshops via Moreton Business Connect.

Access programs and strategies to grow your business. These include staffing, marketing insights and digital tools to enhance your online presence.

• Upskill with information and online training modules to help you grow your business. Discover our Business Resources.
• Register your business with Moreton Money and follow on socials to stay up to date. The community can support your local business with a #buylocal gift card.
• Find out how Council is driving economic growth with the Business Boost initiative.
• Get support for challenges and opportunities that you may be facing in your business. Learn more about Mentoring for Growth (M4G).
• Get subsidised one-on-one mentoring to develop a digital action plan. You can also access free digital workshops.
• University of the Sunshine Coast has free Tax Clinics and workshops. They're available for sole traders, startups, microbusinesses and small businesses.

Hiring employees and workplace safety

• Learn more about the laws around hiring employees with the Hiring employees checklist.
• Get help planning your workforce and connect with programs using Industry Workforce Advisors.
• For information and services addressing workplace health and safety and workers' compensation.
• Express your interest in the free course Workforce Planning for Business.
• To understand new workplace legislation, use the free program Small Business PEAK.
• TAFEQld and the Back to Work team provide small businesses with free access to short courses. Learn more by contacting Rod McShannon at TAFEQld on 0423 799 405. 
• Council delivers a virtual work experience program called My Future in Moreton Bay. It's for people who want to work and stay in Moreton Bay as we grow, so there is more talent on offer for your business. 

• Learn how to become a Council supplier by watching the Working with Council video.
• Our Local Preference Policy supports local businesses in all Council procurement transactions.
• Learn more about Council's procurement opportunities and supplier briefings.
• Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) runs our city's major events. You can register with them to become a stallholder.

Find resources on disaster recovery, financial and mental wellness, cyber security and sustainability. These can help you prepare your business for a disaster. They can also help you build business confidence and essential business skills.

Disaster preparedness and recovery

• Download our brochure and learn more about preparing your business for natural disasters. Council also provides disaster recovery resources.  
• An essential source of information when disaster strikes is Council’s Disaster Dashboard. 
• Sign up to receive alerts and warnings, visit MoretonAlert.
• Learn about navigating disasters and business disruptions with the Small Business Disaster Hub. 

Business continuity support

• The University of the Sunshine Coast runs a free Continuity Planning Course.
• Get lease guidance and mediation help with some of the most common dispute topics. Learn more about the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.
• Access-free, impartial and confidential planning and support services. Refer to Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland. 
• Free services are available for small business owners in financial difficulty. For practical advice from qualified financial counsellors, visit the Small Business Debt Helpline. 

Cyber security

• Cyber security information and protection is crucial to modern businesses. To learn more about your risks, obligations and options, visit Business Queensland. 
• Enrol in free Cyber Warden training. 
• Get free, tailored support to improve your business' cyber security. They can also help you recover from a cyber incident. Learn more about the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service.

Mental health wellness

• You are your business's greatest asset. Get help with a free one-on-one with Business Queensland Wellness Coaches. It's a supportive environment to assist with unique and personal business challenges.
• Access mental health services through Beyond Blue’s coaching for Small Business Owners.

Sustainability

• Learn how to reduce your water, energy and waste bills with the free EcoBiz program.
• Search for alternative solutions and revenue streams for waste otherwise going to landfill. Learn more about the ASPIRE online marketplace. 

Business Boost initiative

City of Moreton Bay has developed its Business Boost initiative. The initiative's 5 major projects aim to drive economic growth in our city. It focuses on:

• agritourism capability
• ecotourism certification
• food and coffee service
• retail leasing
• small business tax governance.

Explore financial support options and get guidance on effective financial management. You can also learn how to apply for grants.

• Free, impartial and confidential planning and support services are available to businesses. Learn more about the Small Business Financial Counselling Service. 
• Find support for Queensland small businesses to recover, grow and thrive. Learn more about small business grants.
• We provide free tools and resources to help you find grants across Australia.
• Complete a free introduction to Grant Writing course. This is available until May 2025. 
• We support business chambers, industry bodies and community organisations with grants. Learn more about our Economic Development Grants program.

Connect with other business owners, find mentors, and engage in community events. These help to expand your professional network.

• Learn about networking by subscribing to Moreton Bay Business Connect.
• Want to stay informed about all the city's news? Subscribe to our Media room. 
• Find an event close to you with What’s on Moreton Bay. 
• Receive the latest information for small businesses with the Business Queensland Connect newsletter.

• Find upcoming events and workshops with the Business Queensland event calendar.

Business groups and industry connections

• We have local groups who support small businesses every day. They are the Chamber of Commerce and industry groups and the Business Chamber Queensland.
• Council supports the Food and Agribusiness Network. They work with our leading food, agriculture and horticulture businesses across the city. Learn more about FAN Moreton Bay.
• Learn about the city's best Advanced Manufacturers. Find events and workshops with Moreton Business Connect. 
• Get tourism industry updates, opportunities and resources from Council’s tourism industry partner. Find out more with Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT). 
• Connect, grow and scale your business with entrepreneurship and innovation programs.
• Find great resources for grants and programs through Advance Queensland.

Awards and case studies

• Consider applying for or attending the Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards. 
• We showcase the talent and capability in our city with industry case studies.

Economic data and statistics

• Want to access data but don’t know where to start? Our new data concierge service answers critical business questions based on census data. Learn more about Ask Morty.

Free access to online economic data tools is available through:

• Economy.id
• Social Atlas
• Community Profile. 

Ensure your business complies with all necessary regulations. This includes obtaining permits and adhering to health, safety, and environmental standards.

• Learn which permits and licenses you need upfront with the Queensland business launchpad.
• Our website has more information on Council regulations and permits.
• The Queensland Government has information on starting a food business.
• Have a food truck or conduct a business on public land? Learn more about popular locations through the Moreton Bay Pop-Ups Program.
• Learn more about your responsibilities and requirements when organising an event. Determine your event's risk rating with our screening tool.  You may need local law approval. 

Event planning

• Learn more about Planning an event in City of Moreton Bay. We recommend allowing ample time to plan and submit your event permit applications.
• Learn about various events and festival support and best practice with Business Queensland. 
• A crucial part of event planning is understanding Traffic management at special events.
• The Queensland Government guides event organisers with planning and managing events. View the best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland.

Tourism in Moreton Bay

• MBRIT is a not-for‑profit organisation that exists to promote, benefit and grow City of Moreton Bay. It provides tourism industry updates and opportunities as Council’s tourism industry partner.
• The Regional Tourism Organisation for Moreton Bay is the Brisbane Economic Development Agency. They support the development of tourism products through training and grants. This helps businesses, creates new jobs and boosts economic growth. This is all while providing more for visitors and locals to see and do. The visitor economy has major growth opportunities for our city over the next decade.
• Learn more about Queensland’s peak tourism industry body. They're the leading advocate for tourism, hospitality, and events. Visit the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
• Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is a statutory body of the Queensland Government. It's the state's lead marketing, destination development and major events agency.
• An organisation supporting farmers with diversification into agritourism is Agritourism Queensland. Queensland leads Australia in agritourism growth and diversity. It's driving innovation to contribute to thriving, prosperous rural communities.
• Guest experience and customer connection drive return visitation and repeat business. Access free online training with the Queensland Welcomes You program. 
• Tourism businesses can get help with digital capability and systems. Learn more about the Digital Adaption Program.