When to get business advice

Professional advice can be useful at any stage of business - whether you're starting, growing or ending a business. But it's not always practical or cost-effective to get professional advice for all business decisions.

Knowing when to pay for outside expertise is an important skill. In many cases you will be able to resolve a particular business problem yourself, but sometimes you will need outside help. When making this decision, ask yourself:

• Do I or does someone in my business have the skills to solve this problem in-house?
• Is it worth my time and money to get external advice?
• Is there a legal requirement for getting external advice?

Free sources of advice are good starting points for understanding and getting help with a range of business issues.

Sources of free business advice

Government advice and support

• The Australian Government website for business is a good starting point for many businesses, offering a range of useful fact sheets and guides.
• Business Enterprise Centres (BEC) Australia is a valuable resource for reliable, independent business advice.
• The Australian Taxation Office provides tax assistance and various fact sheets for small business owners.
• The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) provides helpful information on small business issues concerning consumers' rights and obligations.
• If you want to start a small business, the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) can provide accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring for eligible people.
• If your business employs less than 20 people, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland can arrange small business advice about work health and safety issues.

See more useful resources for business intenders and operators.

Other advice and support

• Social media websites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) cover a wide range of business topics and feature well-known business personalities, case studies and noted experts in different fields.
• Banks and other financial institutions usually have a good range of online fact sheets and other resources. Check your bank's website for more information.
• Your own business networks can be useful for business advice.
• Industry associations can be reliable sources of business advice.

If these sources cannot help you, your next step will be to find a business adviser who has expertise dealing with your specific issue(s).