Support for women in business
Find support for women to start, run and grow their business, with information on available mentoring, training, networks, funding, programs and services.
On this page
Self-employed business
Self-Employment Assistance provides workshops, business plan development, training and coaching to help you with your business idea or existing small business.
Start your business
Find information on starting your business, including planning, financial essentials, hiring staff, digital business and IT solutions, and what's involved with buying an existing business.
Grow your business
To help you grow and expand your business:
- learn ways to grow, change and improve your business, including adapting and responding to growth
- explore export opportunities.
Access the free Mentoring for Growth program to connect with volunteer business experts who provide feedback and suggestions on challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.
Access funding
- Understand the basics of raising capital.
- Federal, state and local governments offer grants and support to help the development of new and existing businesses.
- Advance Queensland's Backing Female Founders Program invests in female founders to start and grow their businesses in Queensland, through various initiatives.
Business networks
- Indigenous Business Australia's Strong Women Strong Business connects Indigenous businesswomen with each other through mentoring, networking and relationship building. Find community support from women who know what you are going through, both in business and personal life.
- The Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises (WiRE) program assists and supports women in rural, regional and remote areas to start and grow their businesses, by promoting and cultivating women entrepreneurship and innovation in rural, regional and remote Australia.
- WOW (Women of the World) drives cultural and creative dialogue, debate and celebration. Editorials, conversations, recordings and resources are gathered here to challenge the status quo, encourage deep reflection and inspiration.
- Contact your local council to find women-owned business networks and events in your area.
Further assistance, training and events
- Find events, forums, workshops and seminars to help you improve your business skills, learn about government grants and grow your networks:
- Access wellbeing support for small business owners.
- Stay up to date with the Business Queensland Connect newsletter.
- Follow Business Queensland on Facebook.
Support women-owned businesses
Help women-owned businesses to grow by:
- becoming a mentor to support women in business
- investing in women-owned businesses
- purchasing from women-owned businesses.
Also consider...
- Visit the Queensland Government's Office for Women for dedicated services and support programs for women.
- Read about support and associations for women in rural industries.