HBB Networks

HBB NETWORKS

Home Based Business Networks
Barbara Gabogrecan requested the Federal Government to hold a Home Based Business Summit in 2003. This took place in Canberra with others following around Australia in 2004. As a consequence of the interest and recognition of this sector, funding has been made available for a variety of local Home Based Business Networks to be formed.

Victoria
* Maroondah Home Biz - www.homebiz.org.au
* Nillumbik Home Based Business Network - www.hbb.org.au
* Baw Baw HomeBiz Association Inc. - Contact President Geoff Clynes for more information - pgclynes@bigpond.net.au

New South Wales
* Botany Bay Home-Based Business Network - www.homebasedbiz.com.au
* Blue Mountain BIZNET - www.biznetbluemountains.com.au
* Business Advisory Services - Web http://www.basi.com.au
* Business SWAP - Web http://www.businessswap.com.au
* City of Canada Bay Council Home-Based and Micro Business Network - Contact Stella Coe, Marketing Assistant, Economic Development, 02 9911 6524 or email stella.coe@canadabay.nsw.gov.au
* Clarence Valley Home Based Business Network - Contact
elizabeth.fairweather@clarence.nsw.gov.au
* Flying Solo - Web http://www.flyingsolo.com.au
* Hastings Home Business Forum - Web www.homebusinessforum.org.au
* Penrith Valley Home Based Business Network - www.homebasedbusiness.org.au

South Australia
* Limestone Coast HBB Network -www.hbb.limestonecoast.com/
* Home Based Business Network Port Augusta - www.homebusinessnetwork.com.au

GOVERNMENT
Businesses do not want Government to interfere in the running of their businesses. But the truth of the matter is, Government makes decisions that can affect your Home Based Business and business operators have to live by the regulations that Government put in place.

Barbara Gabogrecan (founder of this HBBA website) has sat on a number of Government Committees to provide a ‘voice’ for the Home Based and Micro business sector and has had some success, especially in the area of recognition as to the importance of the sector to the economy. Some of the committees and consultations include:-
1.    Micro Business Consultative Group
2.    Business Entry Point Consultative Group
3.    National Small Business Forum
4.    ATO Cash Economy Task Force
5.    ATO Commissioner’s Consultative Group
6.    Manningham Task Force
7.    Small Business Policy Committee
8.    Consulted to the Beaudesert Shire in Brisbane; Boroondara Council Melbourne; and Small Business Answers for the Limestone Coastal region of South Australia, on Home Based Business Strategies
9.    In partnership with Hitech Marketing Services, Barbara conducted the Western Port Home Based Business Study (involving six councils).
10. Barbara provided content for the City of Casey project on HBB – a HBB website Manual (which no longer exists due to lack of funding for maintenance)
11. Facilitated E-commerce seminars targeting the HBB sector for Local Governments in the Bayside area of Melbourne.
12. Facilitated 42 GST workshops (32 of which were funded by the GST Start Up Office)
13. Provided presentations for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on developing Home Based and Micro business strategies for the Indigenous population; Streetlife and HBB; ANZABI Conference and many local Councils and Association seminars.

Government has been trying to be of assistance by providing extensive website coverage of business processes (as they pertain to Government regulations and compliance) and provide funding for workshops and seminars, many of which are free to attend.

Federal Government
Business –You will be surprised what you can find in this portal and how easy it is to navigate. Headings such as ‘Starting up a New Business’; ‘Home Based Business’ and ‘Grants and Assistance’ will give you a wealth of information. www.business.gov.au/

Australian Tax Office (ATO) - www.ato.gov.au

State and Territory Governments
If the website has a ‘search’ function, type in ‘home based business’ as many have information specifically for this sector.