Self-Employment Assistance Enquiry


  • Self-Employment Assistance Enquiry Form

    1. Complete Workforce Australia Registration Form by selecting next on the bottom of the page
    2. Complete Workforce Australia Privacy Consent Form
    3. Watch the video that outlines the different services available for Job Seekers and Small Business Owners - select the service you are interested in


  • About this form

    Self-Employment Assistance helps eligible people turn their ideas into viable businesses and assists eligible business owners to refocus their business to stay viable.

    The information you provide on this form will help determine your eligibility for Self-Employment Assistance.

    Self-Employment Assistance

    Self-Employment Assistance can help turn your business idea into reality or help you refocus your existing small business. Self-Employment Assistance offers services like:

    • Business Idea Development
    • Exploring Self-Employment Workshops
    • Accredited Business Training, and
    • other business-related support

    Self-Employment Assistance can also offer these services through Small Business Coaching:

    • Personalised mentoring and support for up to twelve months, and
    • Self-Employment Allowance for up to the first 39 weeks (if eligible) and Self-Employment Rental Assistance for up to the first 26 weeks (if eligible).

    Participant Eligibility

    To participate in Self-Employment Assistance, you must meet all of the following criteria:

    • be at least 15 years of age (noting that a person must be 18 years of age to access Small Business Coaching
    • be an Australian citizen, or
      • the holder of a permanent visa, or a nominated Visa Holder (including a New Zealand Special Category Visa, Temporary Protection Visa Holder and a Safe Haven Visa)
    • not be an undischarged bankrupt

    Business eligibility

    Your existing small business or Business Idea must:

    • have been assessed as Viable by the Provider
      • be either:
      • a new business, or
    • a business which is operated by an Eligible Business Owner
    • have an independent business structure
    • be lawful and capable of withstanding public scrutiny
    • be, or will be, established, located and operated solely within Australia, and
    • be, or will be, structured so you have and will maintain a controlling interest over the business throughout the duration of your time accessing the Services.

    Your information and privacy

    The collection, use and disclose of personal information is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). In the Workforce Australia Privacy Notification and Consent Form, we have provided you with important privacy information about the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information. You should ensure that you have read and understood this information.

    More information is available at www.dewr.com.au/privacy or your Self-Employment Assistance Provider. Further information about the Privacy Act is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.


  • Participant Details

  • Participant Eligibility

  • 1. Have you participated in Self-Employment Assistance, including Small Business Coaching before?
  • 2. Are you available to participate in small business training?
  • 4. Are you an undischarged bankrupt? (Note: bankruptcy is usually discharged after three years. You can contact the Australian Financial Security Authority for more information)

  • 5. Are you:

  • a) an overseas visitor on a working holiday visa?
  • b) an overseas student studying in Australia?
  • c) legally able to work in Australia?

  • Business Eligibility


    • 9. Have you ever operated this business on a commercial basis?
    • 10. Will your business be established, located and operated solely within Australia?
    • 11. Will your business comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including Commonwealth, state, territory or local authority requirements?
    • 12. Will you have a controlling interest in your business while participating in Self-Employment Assistance?
    • 13. Do you intend to operate your business full-time within the next 12 months? (Note: full-time means 35 hours per week or the number of hours required to satisfy your Mutual Obligation Requirements)
    • a) Will you work in your business part-time because of any of the following?


    • Participant declaration

      I certify that the information I have supplied on this form is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.

      I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to the collection, use and disclosure of my personal information in accordance with the privacy statement on page 1.


    • Part A: Privacy notification and privacy statement for Self-Employment Assistance

    • Part A notifies you of the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in delivering employment services to you in the above program in accordance with Australian Privacy Principle (APP) 5.

    • What is personal information

      Your personal information is information or an opinion about you, including your name, date of birth, contact details, education, or employment history. Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). 

      As a participant in employment services, your personal information is, or may have been collected by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations ('the department'), your Workforce Australia provider on behalf of the department, or by other Commonwealth Government agencies (such as Services Australia) and their contracted service providers.

      Your personal information may be collected by one or more of the above when interacting with you, or it may be collected from other third parties (for example, employers) in some circumstances, such as where you separately consent to collection from the third party. 

      Why is your personal information collected and used?

      Your personal information is collected and used to administer the above employment service program and provide you with appropriate services and assistance. Part C of this document outlines in more detail the reasons why your personal information may be collected and used.

      It is important to let your provider know if your circumstances or personal information change, to ensure you get the right support. Your provider’s ability to provide you with appropriate employment services and assistance may be affected if you do not provide some or all of your personal information. 

      Disclosure of your personal information

      Your personal information may be disclosed to third parties, including:

      • the department’s contracted service providers, including any new providers who may be contracted to provide you with services in the future
      • the Minister
      • other Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agencies, and their contracted service providers, where those providers are delivering services to you
      • other parties who deliver services to you, including Activity Host Organisations (for example, where a provider is arranging your placement into an activity)
      • employers
      • suppliers, for example where a provider or the department is arranging goods or services for you 

      Additionally, your personal information may be disclosed to a third party where you agree, or where it is otherwise permitted, such as when it is required or authorised by or under an Australian law or a court or tribunal order.

      Personal information you provide about third parties

      During your participation in the above employment services program, you may be asked to provide personal information about other persons, such as the name of personnel of employers. By providing another person’s personal information, you confirm that you have brought this privacy notification to their attention.

      Privacy policy

      The department’s Privacy Policy can be found at www.dewr.gov.au/privacy. The policy explains how to make a complaint and how to access and correct your personal information. To contact the department about your personal information, please email privacy@dewr.gov.au

      Part B: Consent for collection of sensitive information

      Part B requests your consent to the collection of your sensitive information in accordance with APP 3.

      What is Sensitive information

      Sensitive information is a subset of ‘personal information’ and includes information and opinion on racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, criminal record, membership of professional or trade associations, and health information.

      What is personal information

      If you consent, your sensitive information will be collected to administer the above employment service program and provide you with appropriate services and assistance, and may be used for the same purposes outlined in Part C.

      The department and your provider can only collect your sensitive information if:

      • you consent to its collection, or
      • collecting this information is required or authorised by law

      If you consent, your sensitive information may be collected by the department or your provider directly from you or from third parties.

      Giving your consent is voluntary.

      If you do give consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do not give consent, or if you withdraw your consent, there will be no consequences. You will still need to participate in employment services but the assistance and services you receive may be limited.

    • Your record of consent for the collection of sensitive information

    • Participant declaration

      By signing below, I confirm that I have read and understood this document, and where required consent to the collection of my sensitive information in accordance with this document.

    • No Consent
    • Declaration by Legal Guardian or Administrator of Participant (where applicable)

      I am the appointed legal guardian or administrator of the participant and am authorised to agree to provide consent for, and on behalf of, the participant.

    • Tick box if applicable

    • Part C: Purposes for collection and use of personal information

      Part C outlines reasons why your personal information may be collected in this program.

      Why your personal information may be collected and used

      Your personal information (including sensitive information) is collected and used to administer the above employment service program and provide you with appropriate services and assistance. For example, your personal information was collected and used to contact you about your participation, determine your eligibility and register you to participate in Workforce Australia.

      Depending on your circumstances and the Workforce Australia program you are participating in, your personal information may be collected and used to:

      • help you prepare you for education, training or employment, such as by:
        1. assessing what tailored services and or specific training you need, such as by developing a Job or Participation Plan with you
        2. helping you write a résumé, prepare for interviews or engage in study or training options
        3. where you are eligible and it is available, covering costs for the purchase of goods and services, such as obtaining a police check if you need one
      • make your employment experience simpler, such as by ‘auto-filling’ forms that you are required to review
      • assess suitability for, make referrals to, or assist participation with:
        1. other Workforce Australia providers, such as those specialising in delivering activities or training,
        2. other government programs
        3. specialist services, such as education or training providers
        4. employers or jobs in your local area
      • where applicable, administer wage subsidies and other payments
      • ensure the department correctly pays your provider for the services delivered to you
      • manage complaints and feedback, and investigate possible fraud and compliance
      • monitor your compliance with activity test requirements and or mutual obligations under social security law (if applicable to you)
      • assist Services Australia in performing its functions under social security law, including to ensure you correctly receive any government benefits
      • evaluate and monitor the program and services provided to you by the department and your provider, such as involving you in surveys conducted by or on behalf of the department. This may include conducting data analysis, which may involve artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, for research, evaluation and policy development purposes (but no statistical reports will identify you)
      • manage and respond to requests for information (including requests made under freedom of information legislation)
      • meet any other legislative reporting requirements
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    • The information you provide below will allow us to best assist you in your Self-Employment Assistance.

      After you submit this application, a Self-Employment Assistance team member will contact you to discuss your application in further detail.

    • Which option best describes you?
    • Which Self-Employment Assistance service are you interested in?
    • Which Self-Employment Assistance service are you interested in?

    • Please answer Yes or No to the following questions to help us determine your suitability for online training

    • 1. Do you have regular access to a computer or laptop?
    • 2. Do you have a reliable internet connection?
    • 3. Do you have access to Google Docs or Microsoft Word?
    • 4. Can you download and open PDF documents?
    • 5. Are you able to watch online videos (e.g., YouTube or training modules)?
    • 6. Can you type and edit documents on a computer?
    • 7. Are you comfortable navigating websites and online platforms?

    • Where did you hear about us?

    • We just need a few more details from you

    • What is your preferred contact method?

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