Training and events

Is your business looking to supply to government agencies?

On Wednesday 10 June 2026 we are bringing together Business Victoria, the Small Business Mentoring Service and Council's procurement team, for an afternoon of free workshops devoted to local business owners who want to secure government grants and win competitive tenders from big business and government. 

Discover how business owners can master government funding opportunities, quotes and tenders.

You will learn to:

• craft your pitch
• identify how government buys goods, services and infrastructure
• follow how government goes to market and assesses suppliers
• recognise the key policies that apply to government suppliers
• promote your business capabilities to government buyers
• strengthen your grant applications with expert tips

Book your free spot at a session

Business Victoria offers free online business advice sessions to help you start or grow your small business.

Available Monday to Friday, the one-on-one sessions with a business expert will provide information on your business idea or how to grow your existing business.

Visit the Business Victoria website for more information and to book sessions. 

The ATO runs an online learning platform offering free courses to help small business owners master their tax and super obligations.

The 'Essentials to strengthen your small business' website includes more than 20 short courses and a calendar of key lodgment due dates to support small businesses.

Topics include:

• Claiming small business tax deductions
• Record keeping
• Goods and services tax (GST)
• Using your business money and assets
• Growing your small business

Visit the ATO website for more information. 

Business Victoria's small business bus stops at locations across the Mount Alexander Shire to offer advice and support to local businesses.

Keep your eye on this page or Council's Facebook page for the upcoming times and dates.

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. 

Over 6 sessions, your mental health coach will work with you to manage stress and overwhelm using straightforward problem-solving approaches.  All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background so they understand your unique challenges.

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required.

Head to the Beyond Blue website for more details.

The Mount Alexander Business Awards is a biennial program that showcases, publicly acknowledges, and celebrates the achievements of our local businesses. The most recent awards program was held in 2025.

Find out more on our Business Awards page.