Employment and small business

We focus on jobs and inclusion, working with Victorian businesses to help them start, grow and prosper, create job opportunities and promote an inclusive economy.

Our employment initiatives provide targeted place-based support to people who face the most challenges in finding employment. Our free services are focussed on the areas most in need.

Business Victoria helps businesses to plan, start and grow by providing timely and reliable information and assistance, expert business advice, and low cost and local skill development.

For a summary of the latest trends in Victoria’s economy, visit the Summary of Victorian economic data dashboard.

For analysis of the latest trends in the Victorian labour market, visit the Victorian labour force dashboard. This summarises data from previous and current Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force data releases including demographics such as regions, age, sex and industry.

• Business Victoria
• Victorian Small Business Commission

Employment initiatives

Work and Learning Centres help jobseekers, especially those living in or waiting for public and social housing, to find local training, work experience and jobs. They’re in North Geelong, Gippsland and Ballarat.

Thrive Hubs help people who are looking for work or to retrain. Their local connections can help people to get into a job or training program. They're in Broadmeadows, Frankston, Fitzroy, and Seymour and surrounds.

The Western Pathways Program helps young people in Melbourne’s west to get job-ready and find employment.

The Digital Jobs program provides construction and advanced manufacturing businesses with access to free training. This aims to upskill leaders and workers with digital skills critical for innovation and technology adoption.

The Youth Employment Scheme provides young people with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training.

The Parkville College Employment Program is helping young people leaving youth justice to find jobs. Employment Pathway Coordinators at Parkville College help connect students to employment and training services based on the student’s skills, interests and needs.

Business Victoria initiatives

Business Victoria offers a range of information, tools, grants, programs and support services for Victorian businesses to operate, build business capability and grow.

Business Victoria provides localised workshops, live webinars, one-on-one confidential business advice, and self-guided skill building for established and emerging business owners.

The Small Business Bus travels around metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, offering free, one-on-one advice. The expert advisers onboard can assist business owners and entrepreneurs to develop ideas, navigate challenges and plan for growth.

Business Victoria partners with business associations, local councils and other organisations to connect and grow multicultural businesses and precincts. The Good Practice Guide offers practical advice to help attract visitors and increase trade in multicultural business precincts across the state.

Fair Payment Policy

The Victorian Government's The Fair Payment Policy supports small and medium businesses by requiring Victorian Government departments and agencies to pay invoices within 10 business days for contracts with a value of less than $3 million.

Better Approvals for Business program

The Better Approvals for Business program is part of the Victorian Government’s regulation reform agenda focused on improving planning and other business approvals processes to support economic growth.

Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee

The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee was a pilot program that ran from 14 March 2022 to 30 June 2024. The Victorian Government trialled a nation-first approach to supporting eligible casual and contract workers with sick and carer’s pay.

Download evaluation report:

• Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report (PDF 513.49 KB)
• Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee Evaluation Summary Report - accessible version (DOCX 244.11 KB)

Business Victoria offers a range of grants and programs to support businesses.

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Find more grants and funding opportunities provided by our department.

• Contact Business Victoria or call the Business Victoria hotline 13 22 15
• Contact the Victorian Small Business Commission or call 1800 878 964