Chapter 4. Small Business Training

Small Business Training provides Participants with the foundational business skills they may require to run a business that is Operating Commercially.

This Chapter identifies how Small Business Training must be delivered to the Participants who choose to access it.

Providers must ensure that Participants who choose to undertake Small Business Training make an informed decision as to whether they wish to enrol in one of the full certificate courses or skill sets.

Note: A Participant cannot be placed into more than one training activity at a time.

Participants may access Small Business Training by enrolling in one of the following qualifications:

• Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business (BSB30220)

• Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business (BSB40320)

• Micro Business Skill Set (BSBSS00102)

• New Business Ventures Skill Set (BSBSS00103)

• Small Business Management Skill Set (BSBSS00104).

A minimum of one skill set and one certificate must be made available for Participants to choose from.

Providers must arrange for Small Business Training to be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that is accredited to deliver the relevant qualification in the Participant’s state or territory.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 87)

To be eligible to access Small Business Training, as well as meeting the Participant Eligibility criteria identified in the Referrals, Eligibility and Onboarding Chapter, a Participant must either:

• have a business idea that meets the Business Eligibility Criteria and be capable of operating that business following their completion of Small Business Training, or

• be an Eligible Business Owner of a business that meets the Business Eligibility Criteria.

Participants who have previously accessed Small Business Training are eligible to participate again, however, the Provider must first discuss with the Participant the outcomes of their prior participation and identify the Participant’s objectives in accessing Small Business Training again.

• System step — When placing a Participant who has previously accessed Small Business Training in a Small Business Training activity in the Department’s IT Systems, the Provider must identify with a comment the details of the Participant’s prior participation and the Participant’s rationale for accessing it again.

Providers should also note that:

• the Training Fee is only payable once every 12 months per Participant. This applies regardless of which Provider delivers Small Business Training, and

• a Certificate Completion Fee is only payable for Participants who complete a Training Certificate and have never previously completed a Certificate III or IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 87.2, 87.4, 96.1, 97.2)

Small Business Training is a Services Australia approved activity for a maximum of 8 weeks which meets the Mutual Obligation Requirements of Participants receiving activity-tested Income Support Payments. This means that Participants with Mutual Obligation Requirements do not have to undertake activities (such as monthly job search requirements or a Points-Based Activation System (PBAS) requirement) while participating in Small Business Training.

For further information, refer to the Mutual Obligation Requirements for Self-Employment Assistance Participants Factsheetsign-in required (sign-in required) and the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) supporting documents and factsheetssign-in required (sign-in required) located on the Provider Portal.

Once a Provider has established that a Participant wishing to access Small Business Training is Eligible, they may arrange for the Participant to enrol in the relevant qualification.

The Provider must ensure that the Participant has made an informed decision in choosing their qualification. This should involve the Participant’s:

• objectives for accessing Small Business Training

• existing capabilities and prior knowledge, and

• capacity to participate in Small Business Training.

The Provider must meet the upfront costs of Small Business Training by paying the fees associated with the relevant qualification to the selected RTO. The Provider and the selected RTO should make their own arrangements regarding the fee structure, timing of payments and administrative processes.

If the Provider is also an RTO and is accredited to deliver the relevant qualification in the Participant’s state or territory, the Provider may choose to deliver Small Business Training to the Participant.

• System step — Participants accessing Small Business Training must be placed into a Small Business Training activity in the Department’s IT systems.

• System step — Placing a Participant in a Small Business Training activity in the Department’s IT Systems with an activity placement status of ‘Placement Confirmed’ will, where appropriate, trigger payment of the Training Fee.

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain Documentary Evidence for Participants who access Small Business Training that includes confirmation of the Participant’s enrolment with the relevant RTO.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 96)

The Provider must ensure that Small Business Training is delivered in accordance with their tender response, or as directed by the Department.

Small Business Training may be delivered in-person, online or using mixed modes of delivery. The Provider must ensure that Small Business Training is accessible, including to Participants with limited access to the internet and to Participants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Following their commencement of Small Business Training, Participants may choose to transfer to a different qualification.

Participants may require additional support to access Small Business Training. The Provider should identify any additional assistance needed before a Participant commences Small Business Training and consider providing this assistance (for example, with literacy or numeracy issues) if appropriate.

The Provider must monitor the attendance of each Participant while they attend Small Business Training.

If a Provider is concerned with a Participant’s progress through Small Business Training, they should arrange a meeting with the Participant and/or inform the Participant’s Other Program Provider (if applicable). If the Provider determines that a Participant is repeatedly failing to satisfactorily engage with Small Business Training, the Provider must advise the Participant that they can no longer participate in the activity. If the Participant is registered with an Other Program Provider, the Provider must inform the Other Program Provider of the Participant’s exit from Small Business Training.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 82.4)

• System step — The Provider must end the Small Business Training activity placement in the Department’s IT Systems. An appropriate exit reason should be provided for a Participant who fails to satisfactorily engage with Small Business Training.

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain Documentary Evidence confirming the Participant’s participation in Small Business Training. This may include the Participant’s:

• attendance records

• completed sign-in sheets

• electronic correspondence showing participation.

The Provider must ensure that Participants in Small Business Training are given the opportunity to continue accessing training until the Participant receives the relevant qualification or exits early. Participants may continue to access Small Business Training after commencing Small Business Coaching.

• System step — The Provider must record the activity end date and outcome for each Participant’s Small Business Training activity placement in the Department’s IT Systems.

• System step — Where applicable, a Certificate Completion Fee will be payable once the Provider enters an exit reason of ‘Successful Completion of Activity’ for a relevant qualification in the Department’s IT Systems.

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain the following Documentary Evidence about the Participant’s participation in Small Business Training:

• assessment records for the competencies assessed

• copy of statement of attainment

• copy of certificate (if successfully completed).

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 87.5, 97)