Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)

***Calling all Associations and Business Community Leaders!*** The COSBOA Roadshow is coming to Queensland, providing an excellent opportunity to support your small business community with practical training on cyber security and workplace relations. We encourage you to share this information with your members, on social media and in your email communications. ***Queensland Small Businesses – Stay Informed and Prepared for 2025*** Join us in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, on 26 & 27 February for concise, one-hour workshops designed to help small businesses stay cyber-safe and compliant with workplace laws. Workshop 1: Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats (Cyber Wardens) - Understand the biggest cyber risks for small businesses - Recognise early warning signs of cyber threats - Learn practical steps to enhance cyber security - Develop a team-based approach to cyber safety Register here: https://lnkd.in/g5jh44yY Workshop 2: Stay on Top of Workplace Relations Changes (Small Business PEAK) - Get up to date on Right to Disconnect and wage compliance laws - Test your knowledge in a live workplace relations quiz - Learn how to customise workplace resources - Access a free workplace relations hub tailored for small businesses Register here: https://lnkd.in/gC2WN-c7 Event Schedule - Wednesday 26 February: Workshops throughout the day, followed by Networking Drinks from 5:00 – 7:00 PM - Thursday 27 February: Morning workshops only Encourage your members to take advantage of this opportunity. The networking event on Wednesday 26 February provides an excellent chance for small business owners to connect and learn more about COSBOA’s advocacy efforts. Register for the networking drinks: https://lnkd.in/ghZbpN52 Special Offer: Attendees who register for two workshops and the networking drinks will go into the draw to win an on-demand marketing training package to support their business growth. Places are limited – please share this opportunity with your network. https://lnkd.in/gCwRv8ZM

The COSBOA Roadshow was off to an incredible start today with our first stop in Fortitude Valley, Queensland!   Thank you to all the Association leaders, small business owners and small business staff who joined us.   Limited free tickets are still available for tomorrow morning’s workplace relations and cyber security workshops – whether you're a business owner or an employee, this is a valuable opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and ensure your business is well-prepared for the future.   Find out more and secure tickets: https://lnkd.in/gCwRv8ZM   #smallbusiness #workplacerelations #cybersecurity #SmallBusinessPEAK Cyber Wardens

Yesterday COSBOA team hosted its first Commonwealth Bank Industry Leaders Lunch for 2025 in sunny Brisbane. Small business leaders, owners and industry partners came together to explore: What's Ahead for Small Business in 2025? A big thank you to Steven Minnikin QLD Minister for Customer Serviced and Open Data, Minister for Small and Family Business for an impassioned outline of the new government's approach to support 495,000 small businesses in this state. We then heard from our panellists, featuring The Hon Bruce Billson GAICD Heidi Cooper and Tony Goding. They provided valuable insights into the challenges facing small businesses in the years ahead. Key themes discussed included: - The need for streamlined regulatory processes to reduce red tape - How complex industrial relations changes impact small businesses - Addressing the rising cost of doing business Thank you to all our members and valued stakeholders for your attendance and contribution to a great discussion. Joan Pease Chris Lamont Steve Koch Alissa Lang Luke Achterstraat Catherine Donnan Nicole Walsh Adele Sutton Finally, a big shout out and thank you to Brad & Angelica Jolly, and to the entire team at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar for the amazing food and service. #supportsmallbusiness #cosboa #golocalfirst #redtape

COSBOA is delighted to welcome Nicole Walsh to the team, as Head of Programs. Nicole joins us with extensive experience and expertise in advocacy, policy development and operational management and a career marked by achievements, including being named Telstra Businesswomen of the year in 2017. Nicole is passionate about championing regional business growth. Over the past year, we have significantly boosted the COSBOA team to ensure that we have the resources to continue to be a leading voice for small business. Please join us in welcoming Nicole.

As consumer lending tightens, banks are pivoting to business banking as their new growth engine. But with fintechs nipping at their heels and SMEs demanding more, traditional lenders face a critical inflection point. How are banks reimagining their business banking strategies to capture this lucrative yet complex market? The race is on to become the financial backbone of Australia’s economic powerhouse. This will be a not-to-be-missed Panel discussion at The Australian Financial Review Banking Summit taking place at the Hilton Sydney, Tuesday 18 March 2025. COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat is looking forward to joining Michael Vacy-Lyle from Commonwealth Bank, Clare Morgan from ANZ and Rachel Slade from NAB on the Panel. Register here to attend: https://lnkd.in/dtqqaDHr

📢Calling all small businesses in Brisbane! Join one of our comprehensive "Industrial Relations Essentials for Small Businesses" workshop sessions designed to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate Australia’s latest IR changes with ease and confidence. Access professionally designed PDF summaries of each IR change that can be white-labelled with your business logo and style, making it easier for you to distribute essential information to your team in a personalised format. Presented by Mike Sommerton, COSBOA Head of Industrial Relations and the Small Business PEAK team. When: Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th February Where: Cloudland, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD Time: Every hour from 9am, 60 minute sessions Cost: FREE ❗Registrations are essential: https://lnkd.in/g7Rvj_gT This workshop series is brought to you by COSBOA with grant funding from the Australian Government. Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Fair Work Commission The Fair Work Ombudsman

COSBOA is delighted to welcome Survey Matters as our newest Associate. Survey Matters is a research and strategic insights agency specialising in member-based organisations and associations. Their reputation has been built on consistently helping associations drive their goals and mission further, with their insights serving as the cornerstone of meaningful impact and change. Thank you for showing your support of the small business community. Find out more about Survey Matters here – https://lnkd.in/gCA-PnJD Brenda Mainland Rebecca Sullivan

With another sitting fortnight complete and the election looming, small business policy is gaining prominence in the national debate. You can read some coverage of the COSBOA pre-budget submission as featured below in The Australian including our opinion piece calling for the "twin engines" of tax reform and redtape reduction. To boost competition, productivity and living standards we need a small business sector that is empowered to grow and succeed, not shackled with higher costs and complexity. Matthew Addison Adele Sutton Catherine Donnan Nicole Walsh William Harris Christine Pope Simon Foster Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Simeon Duncan The Hon Bruce Billson GAICD

Apprenticeships are critical for building Australia's skilled workforce, but small businesses need more support to take on and train the next generation. National Apprenticeship Week held last week was a great chance to recognise their value – but it should also drive policy change. COSBOA urges the Government to provide more incentives for small businesses to employ apprentices, including financial bonuses and reduced red tape. With the right support, small businesses can create more opportunities, boost workforce participation, and strengthen the economy. https://lnkd.in/gNXGtxB5 #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #nawa #SkillsInMotion #SmallBusiness #COSBOA

COSBOA Board Director Ann Davey represented COSBOA at the AIME Leaders Forum this week, hosted by COSBOA Council Member Australian Business Events Association, as part of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME). This forum brought together senior leaders from the business events industry to collaborate on the future of advocacy and driving effective advocacy for the business events industry. Thank you Matt Pearce (Talk2 Media & Events) and Melissa Brown (Australian Business Events Association) for the invitation and for leading such an important conversation. We’re proud to contribute to strengthening the business events industry and ensuring the voice of small business is part of the advocacy journey. #COSBOA #BusinessEvents #AIME2025 #ABEA #Advocacy #IndustryLeadership #SmallBusinessVoice #EventProfs