Learn how to set up an online business

The Australian Government, in partnership with TAFE Western, is offering a free Virtual Advisor Programme to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations improve their online presence and competitiveness.

The programme aims to provide participants with a better understanding of how they can use high-speed broadband to connect with their customers online, create new online business opportunities and reduce business costs.

Training is delivered by videoconferencing to make it easy for people in regional and remote areas to access the training.

Jamie Newman, head of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, said he was excited about the new programme.

“To have the free Virtual Advisor Programme conducted by TAFE Western in our community is an opportunity that organisations and businesses cannot afford to miss out on,” Jaime said.

“The programme will be more than free training. It has the potential to support capacity building within our communities by helping them maximise the benefits of e-business.”

The Virtual Advisor Programme is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small-to-medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations, including those that:

• are owned or operated by Indigenous Australians
• employ Indigenous Australians
• are funded by Indigenous Australians or organisations
• have an Indigenous Australian client base or
• otherwise identify as Indigenous.

 Non-Indigenous individuals and businesses in regional and remote areas are also encouraged to participate in the Virtual Advisor Programme.

 The Virtual Advisor Programme funded by the Australian Government, and administered by the Department of Communications in conjunction with the Digital Enterprise Programme.