ELIGIBILITY | Sarina Russo

Before completing a Self-Employment Assistance application, you’ll need to check the eligibility conditions below to see if you, or your business, can apply for the program.

Individuals who apply for Self-Employment Assistance must:

• be available to participate in training and work the required hours in the proposed business
• be eligible to work in Australia
• not be an overseas visitor on a working holiday visa or an overseas student studying in Australia
• not be an undischarged bankrupt
• not have participated in Self-Employment Assistance in the past year
• be at least 15 years of age (noting that a person must be 18 years of age to access Small Business Coaching)

The business you want to establish with Self-Employment Assistance must:

• not currently be operating on a commercial basis (if applying as a new business)
• be independent, be capable of withstanding public scrutiny, and be lawful
• be assessed as commercially viable
• be able to obtain insurance
• controlled, managed and physically located in Australia

If you’re applying as an existing business, you must to demonstrate that you require assistance to remain viable.

You may be eligible to receive financial support via Self-Employment Assistance allowance if you receive an Income Support payment from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) before transferring to the allowance.

The allowance is available for up to 39 weeks. You may also be eligible to receive Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks. 

For more information about how to apply for the program or to discuss your eligibility, get in touch with our Sarina Russo Entrepreneurship consultants for a chat.