NEIS is about you starting your own business:
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a self-employment program funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). NEIS helps eligible unemployed people become self supporting and independent of Centrelink by establishing and running their own business.
The NEIS program started in 1985, and is Australia's longest running and most successful employment program. Over 80% of participants indicate that 15 months after starting their business, they are either still operating a business, employed and/or in some form of education or training.
To ensure the success of the program, NEIS providers carefully select people with viable business ideas.
The goal of NEIS is to help you set up a sustainable business. Life: Be In It Employment Services provides support to you past your first year of operation. Having a professional mentor to guide, counsel, and talk through concerns, ideas and plans during the first 15 months of the life of your new business is invaluable to its long-term growth and success - and your peace of mind!
NEIS Assistance Includes:
What is involved with NEIS Training
Before commencement of your business, you will need to complete a training program, Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management). Should you be in receipt of income support, this is an approved activity with Centrelink and will exempt you from looking for work.
You will receive help to develop a business plan as part of your training. Before you can commence your business with NEIS assistance your Business Plan will need to be approved by a panel of local industry experts.
The Training course covers:
- Research of business opportunities
- Establishing business and legal requirements
- Undertaking financial planning
- Promoting the business in your chosen market
- Undertaking business planning - you will write your personalised plan for your business
- Analysing/presenting research information for your business
- Coordinating business resources
- Reporting on financial activity
- Profiling your business's market
- Analysing consumer behaviour for specific markets
Participants who are receiving income support from Centrelink and who complete the course and commence their business will receive income support in fortnightly instalments for 12 months (equivalent to Newstart Allowance).
>Please note that NEIS does not provide financing or grants for the "set-up" or the operation of your new business.
Mentor support is an essential component of NEIS. Mentors are people with proven business acumen and proven experience in marketing, finance, accounting or other relevant business skills.
As a NEIS participant you will receive assistance and business advice from mentors during the first 15 months of your business operation. Your NEIS mentor will meet with you and visit you in your business a number of times during this period.
Your NEIS provider will maintain regular contact with you throughout the first 15 months of trading to see if you are experiencing any business problems.
Remember, the goal of NEIS is to help you set up a sustainable business.
How do you apply for NEIS?
Remember, getting a place in the NEIS program is highly competitive so you should do as much research as possible before you send in your application.
Find your nearest NEIS provider - Call us on our Employment Services Hotline on 1800 240 155 or go to our webpage: www.lifebeinitnq.com.au
Wait for a call or an interview - Someone from Life Be In It NEIS team will contact you for an assessment/interview. Please be sure to bring any of your supporting material to help with the selection process.
Commence training - If you are successful you will be invited to attend the Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) training course.
Application Forms
Getting Started- how do I apply
|
STEP 1 |
Call 1800 240 155 and speak to a Life Be In It Consultant.
Our consultants are always happy to answer your questions or to clarify any points. They will then take your details and send you a NEIS Information kit. Our office is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri
|
|
STEP2 |
Complete the following forms and attach the information requested- •· Small Business Questions about your business ides •· Resume •· ESP Referral Form And post to Life Be in it Employment Services PO Box 3264 Hermit Park Queensland 4812
Email NEIS@lifebeinitnq.com.au
Fax 07 47792283
|
|
STEP3 |
Review of your responses to the Questionnaire: NEIS consultants will review your responses to the questions about your business idea which will be assessed for commercial viability within one week. If assessed as potentially viable you will be phoned for an interview by a business consultant to address any issues about your business and to discuss training options |
|
STEP4 |
Training Program The training is completed in a classroom or can be arranged self-paced for applicants living in remote areas. You must have access to email and a computer to complete the Application. During the training phase of the program you will remain on your normal Centrelink payment and you will be subject to the same income tests and conditions. You will become ineligible for the program if you become ineligible for a Centrelink benefit. During the training you have access to a Business Adviser for assistance. Sessions 1 to 6 of the course comprises setting up and establishing a business and how to research and write a comprehensive business plan. The business plan must be completed and submitted prior to completing the bookkeeping segment of the course. Students then complete bookkeeping and financial management section of the course and finalise arrangements in preparation to commence business. At the time of submission ALL applications MUST supply a ‘Certificate of Currency' for insurance and certified copies of all statutory and regulatory licences required to commence business operations. |
|
STEP 5 |
Commence you business with 12 months mentoring support |
Resources
Business and Financial Plan templates
A business plan is essential to starting your own business, and you will be given help with this during training. Business and Financial Plan templates are available from your local NEIS site.
Are you ready to run your own business?
Answer 72 well-researched and tested questions about your skills and abilities to run your own business in this questionnaire. This tool will then print out your own personalised report on your strengths and weaknesses including some suggestions.
http://www.kangan.edu.au/neis/
Small Business Questionnaire
Please answer as many of the questions below as you can and return to "Life Be In It" North Queensland with all the completed forms,
licenses and quotes.
Question 1 What type of business will you be?
Retail, Service or Manufacturing or a combination:
Describe your business and list the products and services you will be selling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question 2 a) Describe your potential customers (what sort of people will buy your services / products).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
b) Have you identified any competitors? Explain how your business services will be different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c) Explain why you think your business will work. If you have made sales as a ‘hobby' or to ‘test' your product or service, please tell us about it. If you haven't, then explain who you have talked to about your business idea that encourages you to believe that it will be successful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question 3 What trading name do you intend to use?
|
|
Question 4 What licenses will be required to operate the proposed business? Phone your local council for local government regulations and Smart Licence 1800 061 631 for a complete licence pack.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What will be the cost of insurance? (please note NEIS businesses must have Public Liability) insurance) please contact your broker and obtain a quote.
Question 5 a) Where will you operate your business from: Home? Business premises?
|
|
|
|
b) Is council approval required? (Contact your local council to check)
|
|
|
|
c) If you are renting, have you asked your landlord for approval to operate the business from home?
|
|
|
|
Question 6 Provide a brief overview of the experience of each business partner in this industry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A RESUME FOR EACH APPLICANT MUST BE ATTACHED!
(Applications received without a separate resume attached will not be processed)
Question 7 In the table below, please list:
a) The plant and equipment you will need to operate the business in the first column;
b) In the 2nd and 3rd columns enter the value of each item into the relevant column.
|
Plant & Equipment |
Already own $ |
Need to Purchase $ |
|
E.g. Delivery Van |
$10,000 |
$0 |
|
E.g. Trailer |
$0 |
$1500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals |
|
|
c) If you need to borrow money, please explain where it will come from, even if it is from family and friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question 8 Complete the table below by entering the following information:
a) In the first column, list up to 5 broad product ranges or services that your business will offer;
b) In the next column enter how much it will costs to produce/provide each product/service;
c) In the third column enter how much you will charge for each product or service listed;
d) In the fourth column enter the number of units you expect to sell in the first year;
e) In the fifth column multiply the sales price by the estimated quantity you expect to sell for each product / service listed;
f) In the last column multiply the direct cost by the estimated quantity you expect to sell for each product / service listed.
|
Products/Services offered |
Direct Costs |
Sale Price |
Quantity Year 1 |
Totals |
||
|
Sales |
Direct Costs |
|||||
|
E.g. concreting per sqm |
$80/sqm |
$120 sqm |
100 |
8000 |
12000 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question 9 in the table below, work out the gross profit: This is the amount of money you will have from sales, after paying for the direct costs, to pay for business operating costs such as insurance, rent, motor vehicle expenses, stationery, promotional fliers and so on.
|
Expected Sales (1st Year) |
Total |
|
Sales |
$ |
|
Less Direct Costs |
$ |
|
Gross Profit |
$ |
Question 10 List your personal assets and liabilities. Use the replacement value of items. Include household items such as furniture, electrical goods, sports equipment (please note our Privacy Policy on page 2 of this document).
|
Assets |
$ |
Liabilities |
$ |
|
House |
|
Mortgage |
|
|
Car |
|
Loan |
|
|
Household furniture |
|
|
|
|
Household electrical goods |
|
|
|
|
Tools |
|
|
|
|
Sports Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR TRAINING?
You may not have much notice to attend training if your application is received the week before a course starts. If you are not ready, you may need to wait for the next course, which may be several months away. To prepare for the course, we recommend the following activities -
- Research suppliers, possible competitors and use the web page references on the front page of this information kit, to compile as much information about your business idea as you can.
- Apply to Veda Advantage for your FREE Credit Report (takes 2 -3 weeks). Download an application at www.mycreditfile.com.au and post for a free service. You should know your credit rating before starting in business.
Remember
"Life Be In It" is here to help job seekers start their own business.
Take the first step to what could be a whole new way of life.