Small Business

In reply to the Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay) (26 September 2018). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills):

As part of the 2018-19 state budget, the South Australian government has announced the following initiatives that will benefit small and medium business:

Payroll tax—Small businesses with annual taxable payrolls below $1.5 million will be exempt from payroll tax from 1 January 2019. Businesses with annual taxable wages between $1.5 million and $1.7 million will pay less payroll tax. Approximately 3,200 businesses will become exempt from payroll tax (a saving of up to $44,550 a year) with around 400 businesses expected to receive a reduction in their payroll tax liabilities.

A 50 per cent reduction in the emergency services levy, returning $90 million a year ($360 million over four years).

Providing $95.9 million in land tax relief, to allow businesses to grow and invest with confidence.

Our Skilling South Australia investment of $203 million (including up to $102.6 million from the Commonwealth) to create 20,800 new apprenticeships or traineeships over four years. This is a major investment in skills development that will lead to real job outcomes.

A new industry assistance framework to support economic growth in South Australia, delivered through three new funds:

The Economic and Business Growth Fund—$100 million over four years to support industry and business growth through attraction and expansion support for initiatives that will introduce significant new technologies, capabilities, capacities and expertise in industries that align to the State's competitive advantages and provide industry sector support where required.

The Research, Commercialisation and Start-up Fund—$27.9 million over four years to support SA businesses to collaborate with researchers and universities to solve industrial problems, commercialise new products and services, attract research infrastructure investment into the state and encourage the establishment and growth of start-ups.

The Regional Growth Fund—$150 million over ten years to pursue economic opportunities for regional South Australia and build and strengthen regional communities.

The Department for Industry and Skills will continue to support South Australian small to medium enterprises to develop business capabilities to help improve their productivity, competitiveness and growth.

I have been advised that the 2018-19 target to support 1,200 small to medium businesses will be achieved by assisting the delivery of fundamental capability and growth programs, including:

South Australian Young Entrepreneurs Program (SAYES): $210,000 has been provided to Business SA to deliver mentoring to at least 100 young entrepreneurs from 2017 to December 2018.

Southern Adelaide Business Advisory Service: $240,000 has been committed to the City of Marion to co-fund the delivery of tailored business advice to at least 960 small businesses in Adelaide's southern suburbs from 2017 to 2019.

Digital Growth Program: $400,000 over four years to June 2019, was provided to the Polaris Centre to mentor at least 205 small businesses per year on the effective use of digital platforms to improve business operations and growth.

Excellence in Business Fund (EBF): $178,125 was committed in 2017-18 to co-fund nine organisations across South Australia's regions to deliver business capability development initiatives over two years to an estimated 730 businesses.

Southern Business Connections (SBC): $50,000 was provided to SBC to assist small business owners in the southern areas of Adelaide by delivering business strategy workshops, business networking and information sharing events and business facility tours to at least 200 participants.

Centre for Business Growth: $4.186 million over four years to 2019, was provided to the University of South Australia's Business School to deliver one day Growth Clinics and four-month Growth Courses to assist South Australian small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify opportunities, overcome business challenges and drive competitive advantage.

ATO Workshop Program: at no cost, the Department is partnering with the Australian Tax Office to deliver business tax essentials workshops to start-ups and established businesses in urban areas of Adelaide.