Business Support
The City is committed to supporting local businesses and can provide guidance, information and referrals to other organisations who can assist you with your business decisions. We recognises the vital role businesses play in linking, sustaining and strengthening our community.
Economic Development
The City of South Perth’s Economic Development Officer is the key point of contact for businesses and assists local businesses by:
- Coordinating and facilitating business development activities and networking events
- Working cooperatively with the business sector to improve services and benefits to the community, business and visitors
- Advocating on behalf of businesses to the City, providing feedback to council and consulting with businesses
- Undertaking the implementation of economic development projects and initiatives as part of the Economic Development Strategy
- Coordinating the Buy Local Shop Local campaign, around the City and on social media - which encourages residents to support the local business community
- Communicating relevant information via a regular business eNewsletter.
The City's Business in Focus eNewsletter provides useful information, resources and details about upcoming events and projects. If you are a local business and have not yet received the eNewsletter and would like to be included on the mailing list, you can sign up here or contact the Economic Development Officer at economicdevelopment@southperth.wa.gov.au.
The City’s first Economic Development Plan was endorsed by council in October 2021. The plan was prepared with direct input from the local business community and other community members to help develop a Plan that is both robust and relevant to our current economy and to ensure its future growth. The City continues to facilitate local economic stimulation through its ‘whole of organisation’ culture and through initiatives such as Buy Local, Shop Local. This Plan will be reviewed every four years.
Starting a business
Starting or expanding your business is exciting. It can also be a daunting time as you navigate the many aspects of getting a business or new venture off the ground. Thankfully, there are many services to help you and we are here to point you in the right direction.
The most important thing is making sure you have all of the correct documentation and permits to operate. The Small Business Development Corporation's online Business Licence Finder enables new business operators to find out about the licences, permits and approvals required to start your own business.
Resources and Workshops
The Small Business Development Corporation provide a range of information, guidance, resources and free workshops for small businesses. Covering a range a topics including starting a business, marketing, tenders and contracts.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA provide a range of resources, advisory services, events and training courses.
The Australian Tax Office website contains a range of useful information to support businesses and employers. They also offer free webinars that cover both general and industry-specific areas of tax obligations.
Business Foundations offer a range of resources for local businesses including low cost workshops, courses and business advisory services.
Business Station also offer resources and advisory services including the low cost Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Digital Solutions program to help increase the digital capacity of small business owners.
Business grants
The Small Business Development Corporation provides answers to frequently asked questions about government grants. You can also search for available government grants for businesses on the following websites:
- Business.gov.au Grants & Programs - Federal, State and Local government
- GrantConnect - Federal Government grants
- Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants - State Government
A friendly place to do business
The City of South Perth has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local businesses by singing the Small Business Friendly Local Governments Charter.
This new initiative, developed by the Small Business Development Corporation, formally recognises local governments that are demonstrating or working towards ‘better practice’ in engaging with their small business community.
