Is a program which assists unemployed people in turning a viable business idea into their own small business.
NEIS is funded by the Department of Education, Employment, Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and small business.
What NEIS provides
VETAB Accredited training in small Business Management so you can establish and run your own small business
Mentor advice and support for 12 months
Income support for up to 52 weeks (NEIS Allowance)
Rental assistance for a period of up to 26 weeks (if eligible)
Basic family and additional family payment for dependent children from Centrelink (please contact Centrelink for
advice)
Please note that NEIS does not provide start-up capital for your business.
To be eligible for NEIS you must;
be at least 18 years of age and less than the Aged Pension age during the period of NEIS assistance.
be receiving an eligible Centrelink allowance or pension
be available to participate in the NEIS Small Business skills training
be available to work in the business full-time for the period of NEIS assistance
not have an undischarged bankruptcy
not have received NEIS allowance in the previous two years or previously for the same business
not be already operating the business
Who has been assisted?
Since 1993, over 40,000 unemployed people have been assisted to set up their own small business through NEIS.
Why choose NEIS assistancethrough Business Enterprise Centre Northside?
Focus on individuals needs
Expertise in assisting small business in general since 1991 and NEIS businesses since 1994
Assisted over 700 NEIS participants in starting their own small business with a high success rate
Strong business networks
On-going support to clients during and after NEIS assistance
Networking for all clients
Referral to our supporters, e.g. accountants, solicitors, etc.
Trainers with practical small business expertise
Mentors with small business expertise
The types of business to be approved For NEIS Eligibility, a business must:
Be new and never have operated commercially
Be independent
Not compete with an existing business unless you can show that there is an unsatisfied demand
Be legal and reputable
Be financially viable - your business plan must indicate that your business will earn at least as much as the NEIS Allowance after a year of business operation
If you wish to be in a partnership, you can still be eligible for the NEIS program. Please discuss this with us.
STEPS TO FOLLOW FOR THE NEIS PROGRAM!
To be eligible for the NEIS Small Business Course, you must be in receipt of a Benefit and must have a Jobseeker ID Number.
If Finance is required to start the business you need to show proof in writing or a bank statement – this will include obtaining Insurance quotes for Public Liability and / or Professional Indemnity Insurance.
You must include a Resume / CV in the application.
You must include Qualifications relevant to the business.
You must include any licences necessary to operate the business e.g. a trade licence, Membership of Natural Therapies Association.
If you have previously been bankrupt, you must include written confirmation of discharge of bankruptcy.
You need to answer all questions on the application form. Only those which are completed, will be assessed.
All questions on page 3 on the application form must be answered on a separate piece of paper and attached to application form.
You have to continue looking for work until you have been accepted onto the Small Business Management Course and have started the course.
If your application is successful, you then commence a full-time Small Business Management Course – You must attend 85% of the course.
If you are sick, a doctor’s certificate is required.
During the Small Business Management Course you go on Approved Activity and you do not have to look for work during that time.
Centrelink Forms must still be submitted to your Centrelink every two weeks with ‘NEIS Course’ specified as an Approved Activity.
During the course you are expected to prepare a Business Plan for your business. This is competency assessed.
Your Plan will be presented for assessment at the end of the six weeks training process.
If BEC Northside and the Government approve you Business Plan, then you will proceed onto the NEIS program for one year and receive:
Income support for $437.10 per fortnight for 12 months. This is equivalent to the unemployment benefit.
Mentor support for 12 months.
Rental assistance for a period of up to 26 weeks (only for those who are in receipt of rent assistance before commencement of the Small Business training course). Not Commercial Rent.
Basic family and additional family payment for dependant children from a Centrelink (please contact Centrelink for advice).
You can make as much money in your business as you can without your NEIS allowance being affected.
You can have part-time job, but you can only make twice as much as your NEIS allowance per quarter before your NEIS allowance is suspended.
You must be able to work full-time in the business.
Full-time is 35 hours per week.
To apply for NEIS program please download NEIS application form 1 and 2
