Small Business Digital Champions

This program aims to inspire and equip Australian small businesses to thrive in the digital economy.

100 small businesses will be provided with a digital makeover valued at up to $18,500. 15 of these will be selected to become Digital Champions, taking their digital journey in the public spotlight, and receiving mentorship from successful Australian entrepreneurs. The journeys will be showcased to the Australian small business community through online interactive case studies via various media channels.

15 industry associations will also be funded to provide sector-specific advice to small businesses that want to go on this digital journey.

Eligible applicants must:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Employ 19 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
- Not have previously received a State/Territory or Commonwealth digital grant (excluding Cyber Security Small Business Grants Program).
- Not have received Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Digital Solutions assistance since July 2018.
- Not be a registered not-for-profit entity.
- Comply with workplace relations and taxation laws, and workplace health and safety requirements.
- Tell how their business will be improved by going digital.

To participate in the project the 100 businesses will need to agree to:
- A digital expert assessing your digital needs.
- Providing information that shows the journey and how the business has changed, grown, or become more profitable or competitive.
- Enter into a contract that will specify that the successful business will receive support in the form of digital goods and services, in exchange for the business undertaking a digital transformation, providing data to track the impact on the business of undertaking the digital transformation, and sharing its story. This application does not commit any party to enter into a contract - the contract will be negotiated with the successful small businesses at a later date.

Eligible transformations include:
- An assessment of the businesses needs.
- Assistance to move from a paper based system to an online system.
- To start using cloud accounting software.
- Content development for a mobile app, website, visual or audio media.
- Implement a full suite of cloud based business management software packages.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Digital maturity of a business
- Life cycle of a business
- Rural, regional and metropolitan businesses
- Number of employees and sole traders
- Industry and business types
- Gender, ages and cultural backgrounds of business owners
- Indigenous businesses