Women's Business Centre Australia (WBCA)
Provides women intending to start a business, existing business operators, those seeking to grow their business and those looking to develop their career in business with support, access to information, training, business development tools and networking opportunities.

Globewomen
Links business women worldwide through three channels: the Global Women’s Business Network, the Global Summit of Women and Corporate Women Directors International

Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Serves women in business by raising their profile, providing educational seminars and business networking events across Australia, and providing exposure to a diverse range of business success models.

Australian Council of Businesswomen (ACOB)
Policy and lobby group to government on key issues for women.

Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW)
Aims to help women achieve economic independence through clubs Australia-wide. It is open to all women and is affiliated with BPW International, which is represented by clubs and affiliated members in over 100 countries worldwide.

Australian Women In Agriculture (AWiA)
Offers opportunities to communicate and work with other women in all aspects of Australian agriculture.

Country Women’s Association (CWA)
Aims to improve education, health and welfare for women and children in isolated areas. It provides training programs such as rural computer workshops, health and literacy seminars, awards scholarships and provides student hostels. Crisis and emergency help is also available.

MotherInc
Provides informative, fun events, online information, networking opportunities, support services and products for women, both at home and in the paid workforce.

National Breast Cancer Foundation
Promotes and supports breast cancer research in all its forms.

National Council of Women of Australia
An umbrella organisation which aims to improve the status of and conditions for women and their families in Australia.The National Council is affiliated with the International Council of Women, which has Consultative General Status with the United Nations.

Telstra Businesswomen’s Awards and Alumni Group
The annual Telstra Businesswomen’s Awards recognise and celebrate women’s success in business, corporate and community. Visit the website to register, nominate and find information on entry requirements, eligibility, key dates, the judging process and previous winners. An alumni club operates out of Melbourne.

Toastmasters International
A nonprofit educational organisation with clubs all around the country, where members can learn communication and leadership skills by speaking and working with other members. Call the national inquiry line for information.

Zonta Clubs
Zonta International is a worldwide organisation of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women. Zonta supports international service projects and educational fellowships to improve the quality of life for women.

Chamber of Women in Business (ACT)
Networking organisation that facilitates events and opportunities for mentoring.

Women in Management (ACT and QLD)
The Australian Institute of Management’s ACT and QLD offices provide a service called Women in Management that offers training, networking functions and mentoring programs for women.

Centrum Events (NSW)
Organises networking breakfasts for businesswomen in Sydney CBD and Parramatta.

Females in Information and Technology and Communications (NSW)
Provides regular networking events, listed on the website.

The Older Women’s Network (NSW)
The Older Women’s Network works to promote the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women, with a focus on skill development, social action, empowerment and having fun.

Women in Finance (NSW)
Provides networking events for women in the financial services industry in NSW.

Women at Work (QLD)
A nonprofit women’s group that provides training, information, support and networking opportunities for women in the workplace in Queensland.

Women’s Network Australia (QLD)
Provides a range of services to women including a quarterly magazine and full career guidance through one-on-one coaching, plus professional development round tables where experts in various fields share their knowledge.

Women’s Information Service (SA)
Provides information, support and referral by telephone, in person and via the internet, covering a broad range of issues relevant to women.

Victorian Women’s Trust (VIC)
An independent nonprofit body dedicated to improving the status of all Victorian women through annual grants, advocacy, promotion and networking and initiatives focusing on women and work.

Women’s Golf Network Victoria (VIC)
Golf and business networking events specifically designed for businesswomen, for beginners and experienced players alike.

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Commonwealth Office for the Status of Women (OSW)
Part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The OSW provides policy advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women on issues affecting women in Australia with a mandate to influence policy, Cabinet and Budget decision-making to ensure women’s interests are considered.

State government departments and agencies work to improve the outcomes for all women in each state through effective government policies, practices and programs. They have different names in each state as below:
Women’s Policy Unit (ACT)
Department for Women (NSW)
Office of Women’s Policy (NT)
Office for Women (QLD)
Office for the Status of Women (SA)
Women Tasmania (TAS)
Office of Women’s Policy (VIC)
Women’s Policy Office (WA)

Women’s Advisory Council (NT)
Provides a direct communication link between women and the NT government.

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Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
A representative body for Australia’s company directors, CEOs and those in senior corporate positions. Core activities are driven by the needs of directors and those wishing to become directors: educational services for directors, regular networking events and business briefings.

Institute of Chartered Accountants
Provides a referral service to accountants in your area.

Law Society
Provides a free referral service to solicitors in all states and territories.

State Chambers of Commerce are private, membership-funded organisations that provide business information and regular networking events and act as a political lobby group to government. The chambers draw memberships from small and large businesses in all sectors and exist across Australia, but with slightly different names:
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACT)
State Chamber of Commerce (NSW)
NT Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NT)
Commerce of Queensland (QLD)
Business SA (SA)
Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VIC)
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA Inc (WA)

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AusIndustry
A Commonwealth Government unit designed to help Australian businesses and research organisations become more innovative and internationally competitive, by providing commercial incentives and information services. Benefits include grants, loans, tax concessions, duty concessions and venture capital.

Business Enterprise Centre (BEC)
The BEC network is an Australia-wide nonprofit organisation to promote economic development and employment. The BEC network is supported by state and federal government, business and community. It offers services to people wanting to start up a business and also to existing small businesses, with a free business advisory service, small business training programs, a market research centre, small incubator and an innovations advisory centre. It has branches in all states and territories around Australia. Visit the website to find your closest BEC.

Small Business Enterprise Culture Program (SBECP)
Provides additional funding for skills development initiatives, mentoring services and support for women in small business. The Program is administered through Area Consultative Committees and funded by the federal government.

Womensweb
A website run by the federal government that provides information about small business and start-ups.

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Australian Business Ltd (ACT and NSW)
Member-based business improvement organisation, with head office in North Sydney and regional and affiliate offices throughout NSW and the ACT. The website has comprehensive information on employment law, investment, policy development and trade.

Business ACT (ACT)
The government agency responsible for the development and implementation of business strategies. While there are no dedicated services for women, it does offer small business advice, events and supply networks.

Canberra Business Advisory Service (ACT)
Supports small and medium-sized businesses in establishment, operation and development. Offers business advice, networking through planned events and referrals, business seminars, workshops and mentoring programs. Most of these services are free.

Small Business Development Division, Department of State and Regional Development - Women in Business Mentor Program (NSW)
The NSW government’s business agency, offering advice and information on how to develop your business and a women in business mentor program.

Business Women’s Consultative Council (BWCC) (NT)
Acts as a link between NT businesswomen and the NT government, and provides the means for women in business to advise government of their emerging economic challenges.

Territory Business Centre (NT)
The NT government’s business agency. It is a contact and referral point for all services and products provided by the Department of Industries and Business, including business planning assistance, general business information services and links to departmental assistance programs. It provides free services such as individual consultations, small business workshops, assistance, programs and business licence information.

Department for State Development (QLD)
The central entry point for Queensland businesses to access government services, providing extensive business information, advice and support. Access to the Department’s full range of services is through a Queensland-wide network of 18 Development Centres, head office in Brisbane, ten overseas trade and investment offices and by telephone or via the internet.

The Business Centre (SA)
The SA government’s business agency. It offers support to all businesses with a range of services including advice on licences, patents and export planning and access to state and federal government programs providing assistance to industry.

Business Channel (SA)
The Business Channel enables the SA business community to have the option of transacting with state government over the internet, including provision of business-related information and payments for licence applications or tax instalments.

Business Tasmania (TAS)
The Department of State Development is the Tasmanian government agency responsible for the development and implementation of the government’s economic and social strategies for Tasmania. It offers advice, assistance and support to start-up businesses and existing businesses, and runs a ‘Women in Business’ program that helps women with their business plans and strategic marketing plans.

Small Business Victoria (VIC)
The Victorian government’s business agency, providing information, assistance and referral services for starting or growing your small business.

Small Business Development Corporation (WA)
The WA government’s business agency. It offers advice and information to existing and start-up small business owners.

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Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (ITR)
Responsible for Commonwealth Government industry, tourism and resources policy and programs, as well as the Office of Small Business. It is the home department for AusIndustry (see below). ITR has a summary of initiatives to help companies access relevant support programs under the Innovation Action Plan of 2001 on its website at.

AusIndustry
Commonwealth programs to assist companies with R&D funding include R&D Start, Innovation Investment Fund, Renewable Energy Equity Fund, and Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET).

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Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman
Helps individual and small business bank customers sort out unresolved complaints with their banks.

Australian Business Angels (Division of Australian Business Ltd)
An angel network for companies in need of capital. It provides companies seeking investment funds with workshops on raising capital and with networking opportunities to meet investors. It provides investors with access to a range of high-growth business opportunities seeking capital.

Australian Venture Capital Association
Membership comprises venture capital firms, banks, incubators, business angels, corporate advisers and others with an interest in provision of capital for early stage companies, later stage expansion, and finance for management buy-outs and buy-ins of established companies.

Westpac Women in Business Program
Westpac is the only bank with a dedicated Women in Business unit, with specialist managers in every state and territory. For your state manager’s details visit the website.

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Operation Livewire
A business planning competition where a personal mentor is assigned to you to answer your questions. Work booklets and weekly seminars are also provided to help you prepare a business plan. At the end of the program your completed business plan could win you cash prizes (for state and national winners). The national winner also receives a trip to the UK. Age category: 18-28.

Nescafé Big Break
A business competition that gives away over $100,000 each year for business ideas from young people.

Young Achievement Australia Business Skills Programs
Secondary (years 10 to 12) and tertiary students learn about setting up and running a business with some help from a mentor. Over a 20-week course, students sell shares, elect a management team then research and produce a product. Account records are kept and wages are paid before the company is liquidated and profits returned to shareholders.

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Australian Taxation Office Business Infoline
The ATO provides free guides for both employees and employers to explain taxation issues relating to business, redundancy and retrenchment. Booklets include: The complete tax guide for small business: detailed information on personal and business tax obligations, capital gains tax, small business concessions, vehicle expenses, travel, rents, lease payments and depreciation. How to keep your business records: shows the minimum standards expected for income tax and BAS purposes.

Australian Taxation Office Personal Tax Infoline
Provides answers to personal tax issues.

Australian Superannuation Infoline
The ATO also provides information on superannuation.

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Austrade
Provides export and investment services to Australian companies and international investors.

Australian Institute of Export
A not-for-profit, membership-funded organisation that provides exporter education and training programs and liaison with government, offers recognition awards and provides regular networking events.

American Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber provides a number of services to assist business, including networking functions, trade missions and trade shows, and distribution to selected US chambers of commerce of proposals from Australian companies seeking to do business in the United States.

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Ed Schein
Edgar Schein has written extensively on career anchors. The site offers a range of practical materials and a great detailed test to work through to help you gain further insight into this concept.

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