Financial assistance for single parents on centrelink benefits...?

[MeetTheBluths]

Does anyone know if there is any financial assistance for single parents on centrelink benefits for starting a small business?

I have had a look on the internet but can't find anything specific apart from help with start-up advice and resources... but I had heard centrelink offered financial assistance...? Perhaps they used to but don't anymore.

[Stiflers Mom]

Interesting question, bumping for you.

[Caviar]

Does anyone know if there is any financial assistance for single parents on centrelink benefits for starting a small business?

Hi. I've researched this as I was hoping I could set up a business when I leave work to stay at home to raise my kids without going into debt.

The answer to your question is yes and no.

Centrelink does provide people with assistance to start a business under its New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS) programme but only if you are seeking work. It doesn't matter if you are single or married. You get to complete a Certificate IV in Small Business Management while you're on the programme.

If you start up a sole trader business while receiving benefits (ie Parenting Payment), you have to submit a Profit & Loss Sheet and declare any income made from your venture as though you would employment. Company structures undergo a different and more detailed type of scrutiny. To cut a long story short, it's a minefield and a headache and it's too depressing to detail.

But if you go into your Centrelink office and request to speak to a 'special considerations' officer or one who deals with busineses then someone will be able to fill you in.