Entrepreneurship Facilitators help older Australians start their own business

The Turnbull Government’s 2018–19 Budget includes the More Choices for a Longer Life package, which invests in a range of jobs and skills measures, including help for older Australians to explore self-employment.

The $189.7 million package includes $17.7 million for an expansion of the Entrepreneurship Facilitators program to 20 additional locations to promote self-employment among older Australians.

Facilitators will offer mentoring and business support, engage with relevant community organisations to increase awareness of the opportunities available through self-employment and refer participants to the most appropriate assistance available in the region, including to the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme.

The three existing facilitators, who have had a focus on young people, have proved to be very successful – providing assistance to over 15,000 people in 18 months.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash, and Federal Member for Pearce, Christian Porter, today visited Co-Hub Collaborative Hub, an organisation that helps entrepreneurs in Perth’s north-coast region to start or grow their own business.

“Our stronger economy is creating jobs at record levels, but we must ensure all Australians have the opportunity to participate,” Minister Cash said.

“We recognise the contribution older Australians make to our community, the economic benefits of their experience and, in many cases, their desire to continue working or start their own business.”

Federal Member for Pearce, Christian Porter said the new facilitators will be located around Australia, including two in Western Australia, in North East Perth and Mandurah.

“Many older Australians are well placed to consider self-employment, and I look forward to this initiative helping many people in the electorate of Pearce,” Mr Porter said.

The 20 new facilitators will be selected through a competitive process, with services to be delivered from January next year.

For more details and a list of the 20 regions the new Entrepreneurship Facilitators will be located in, go to https://www.jobs.gov.au/entrepreneurship-facilitators.