Tailored Support for a Diverse Business Community
Small and family-owned businesses are the backbone of regional communities, yet many face pressures beyond their control. A small business is one that employs up to 19 people, while a family business is one owned and run mostly by members of the same family, often with generations working side by side.
Our Small Business Financial Counselling Service assists eligible South and Central Australian small and family-owned businesses to get control of their finances, including managing their debt, building cash flow plans and exploring recovery options.
Support for South Australian Small & Family-Owned Businesses
Businesses across rural and regional South Australia are under growing pressure from both drought and the recent harmful algal bloom, with ripple effects felt throughout local economies. Reduced customer spending and shrinking margins mean many businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
Our South Australian Small Business Financial Counselling Service provides free, independent and confidential support to eligible small and family-owned businesses impacted by these challenges.
Our small business financial counsellors live and work in rural and regional communities, so they understand well the challenges that local business owners are facing. They can help you to prioritise the important decisions that need to be made now and develop plans to help you gain some much needed clarity amid the uncertainty. This might involve looking into government grants or other payment options to help ease some of the financial pressure.
Drought Support
We support businesses including retail shops, transport operators, agri-tourism ventures and service providers in rural, regional and remote communities. By working one-on-one with clients to understand their financial situation, our financial counsellors deliver practical strategies to manage costs, strengthen operations and regain stability.
Algal Bloom Support
We support aquaculture operators, tourism and hospitality businesses, and other enterprises financially impacted by the harmful algal bloom. By working one-on-one with clients for up to 30 hours, our counsellors provide tailored financial strategies to help businesses manage costs, strengthen operations and plan for recovery.
Our Small Business Financial Counsellors support you by:
- undertaking an initial assessment of your business position and eligibility
- developing a recovery and continuity plan with clear, practical steps
- analysing and testing business redevelopment options
- creating cash flow and debt management strategies
- considering risk reduction measures for future adverse events
- providing case management support for up to six months to help you implement your plan
We also take into account the wellbeing of business owners, ensuring recovery plans align with your personal goals, aspirations and readiness to rebound.
Support for Central Australian Small & Family-Owned Businesses
Small businesses in the Northern Territory face additional challenges, including labour shortages, increased operational costs, reduced foot traffic and economic downturns. Social and economic factors such as declining tourism and rising costs of living make survival even tougher.
Our Central Australian Small and Rural Business Financial Counselling Service is designed to support small and family-owned businesses across all industries, from those managing unpredictable market shifts to those impacted by declining visitor numbers.
By adapting our approach to meet the unique needs of each business sector, we ensure that every client receives tailored financial strategies to help them stabilise, recover and grow.
How We Help
Our qualified rural financial counsellors provide one-on-one support tailored to your unique circumstances. We support you to:
- Understand your financial position
- Navigate financial challenges
- Planning for market changes
- Identifying business options
- Developing cash flow and debt management plans
- Accessing dispute resolution services
- Planning for succession
- Connecting with additional professional advice
- Accessing government and grant support
Understand your financial position
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by paperwork or unsure about where your business stands financially, we can help you get clarity. We’ll go through your financial records with you—looking at income, expenses, debts and assets—so you can see the full picture. Whether you’re unsure how much debt you actually owe or struggling to work out if your business is still viable, we can help you make sense of the numbers and plan your next steps with confidence.
Navigate financial challenges
If you’re feeling the strain of rising costs, overdue bills or a tough season, you’re not alone. Many clients come to us uncertain about how to meet their financial commitments. We can help you prioritise payments, negotiate with creditors and explore repayment options. For example, if you’ve fallen behind on loan repayments and are worried about foreclosure, we can help you work with your lender to negotiate a manageable repayment plan and avoid further financial stress.
Planning for market changes
If your business relies on seasonal income or is affected by unpredictable market conditions, it can be hard to plan for the future. Perhaps lower-than-expected returns have caught you off guard, or you’re worried about the impact of droughts, floods or price drops. We help you assess potential risks, plan for different scenarios and create financial strategies to keep your business resilient—even in tough times.
Identifying business options
If you’re considering restructuring, diversifying or adjusting your business model but aren’t sure if it’s financially viable, we can help. You might be thinking about expanding your operations, selling assets or shifting to a new business approach but don’t know if you can afford to make the change. We provide financial analysis and scenario planning, helping you weigh up your options and make informed decisions with confidence.
Developing cash flow and debt management plans
Struggling to manage cash flow? If you’re struggling to balance incoming revenue with outgoing expenses, you’re not alone. Many of our clients face the same challenge, and we can help you create a structured plan to manage costs effectively. Maybe you’re waiting on payments from suppliers while still needing to pay wages and bills, or perhaps irregular income means you’re not sure how to plan ahead. We help you create a structured cash flow plan so you can manage costs effectively, avoid shortfalls and keep your business running smoothly.
Accessing dispute resolution services
If you’re facing financial disputes—whether with creditors, suppliers or financial institutions—it can be stressful and confusing. We guide you through the dispute resolution process, helping you understand your rights and negotiate a fair outcome. If you’re feeling pressured by a lender or struggling with a contract dispute, we can help you find solutions that work for you and your business.
Planning for succession
Thinking about passing your business on to the next generation or stepping back from day-to-day management? Succession planning can be a complex process, especially when family and financial factors are involved. We help you explore different transition options, ensuring that your business remains financially secure while balancing family and legal considerations. Whether you’re trying to work out how to fairly divide assets among family members or need help understanding the financial implications of succession, we’re here to guide you.
Connecting with additional professional advice
If you need specialised legal, accounting or financial advice but don’t know where to start, we can help. Maybe you need legal support to restructure your business, or perhaps you’re looking for accounting advice on tax planning. We connect you with relevant professionals and work alongside them to ensure you get the best guidance for your specific situation.
Connecting with additional professional advice
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for financial assistance, we help you navigate the process. You might be eligible for support through Farm Household Allowance (FHA), Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) loans, PIRSA funding, or other government schemes. If you’ve tried applying before but found the paperwork overwhelming, we can guide you through the application process to improve your chances of success.
Strong Partnerships, Stronger Small Businesses
Our Central Australia Business Financial Counselling Service is made possible through the generous support of the Mazda Foundation. Their commitment allows us to continue providing free, independent and confidential financial counselling to small and family-owned businesses across the Central Australian region.
With this vital funding, we remain focused on helping businesses navigate uncertainty, improve financial literacy and plan for long-term success.
Take Control of Your Business Future
If you’re feeling uncertain about your financial situation, you don’t have to face it alone.
The sooner you reach out, the more options you’ll have. Let’s stabilise, strengthen and secure your business together.