NSW Budget Puts $37M Into New Small Business Support Scheme

The NSW Government will inject $37 million in the 2026-27 Budget to create a new small business advisory service, bringing back government support with the disbandment of Business Connect.

The program will support more than 800,000 small businesses to navigate cost of living increases and ongoing economic challenges.

The funding to roll out the program is under the Budget's business and job measures, in the context of broader measures to support business and jobs.

Replacing Business Connect

The new advisory service will be the successor to the Business Connect program, which was launched in 2017 by the NSW Government to offer free and subsidised advice services to small and medium businesses.

During the 8 years the program ran, Business Connect assisted more than 50,000 NSW businesses and startups to thrive by offering personalised face-to-face or virtual advice on business planning, cash flow, digital tools, disaster resilience and more.

The program concluded in September 2025 following its funding expiration.

Providing practical business support

Details of the new service, set to officially roll out following the 2026-27 Budget, have not yet been finalised but will focus on providing tailored advice on a range of issues to build capacity and expertise in financial literacy, digital adoption and business resilience.

Ahead of the new program’s implementation, the NSW Government conducted a public consultation process in early 2026 with the state’s businesses, industry groups and local councils to develop service recommendations and ensure the program meets future business needs.

Source: Smart Company

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