About the Program
The Small Business Friendly Council (SBFC) program is dedicated to fostering a thriving business environment in local communities by reducing administrative burdens, streamlining processes, and providing councils with valuable small business insights and resources. By participating in this program, your council will play a pivotal role in ensuring that small businesses have the best opportunities to succeed in your local community.
Engagement and Representation
Collaborative Solutions
Working with the Small Business Commission to identify and address key challenges facing local enterprises.
Red Tape Reduction
Driving improvements by implementing red tape reduction initiatives that streamline council processes.
Transparent Engagement
Enhancing communication with small businesses through clear, open, and consistent dialogue.
Knowledge Sharing
Promoting collaboration by sharing best practices and insights with other councils across South Australia.
Small Business Friendly Council Commitment
Helping small business thrive through collaboration and practical action.
As a member of the SBFC program, your council demonstrates commitment to championing small business success in South Australia.
Participation in the program reflects a council's willingness to lead with collaboration, transparency, and a problem-solving mindset to strengthen the local economy and business community.
The SBFC program aims to support councils in strengthening their relationships with small businesses by:
Small Business Representation
- Remain accessible, engaged, and responsive to the needs and concerns of small business owners.
- Champion local business voices through forums, advisory groups, and regular consultation opportunities.
Economic Vitality and Local Investment
- Invest in the vitality of local precincts, including town centres, main streets and public infrastructure.
- Encourage local economic activity through "buy local" campaigns and supplier diversity efforts.
- Support financial sustainability by ensuring timely payment practices, especially from small suppliers.
Skills, Capability and Workforce Support
- Strengthen the local workforce through skills programs, employment partnership, and business capability building.
Red Tape Reduction and Regulatory Clarity
- Provide clear, consistent, and streamlined regulatory processes that reduce unnecessary red tape.
Early Resolution and Support Pathways
- Promote early problem solving by maintaining collaborative relationships and offering access to dispute resolution pathways when needed.
Recognition and Celebration
- Celebrate local success stories to inspire innovation and pride in the small business community.
Together with the Small Business Commission SA (SBC), councils in the SBFC program demonstrate leadership in creating fair, supportive, and thriving conditions for small business.
Program benefits
By participating in the SBFC program small businesses and councils will have access to a range of benefits.
Streamline support to resolve disputes
Red tape reduction initiatives
Strengthening local business relationships
Streamline business payment processes
Recognition for small business support
How to become a member
To become a member of the SBFC program, councils are required to sign the charter and commit to the key principles outlined across the program’s three pillars:
Each pillar represents a commitment to improving the operating environment for small businesses by streamlining processes, promoting fair and timely payments and ensuring accessible, cost-effective solutions to resolve issues.
To read and sign the charter, click the following button. Alternatively, reach out to SBCpolicy@sa.gov.au for direct enquiries.
