Business Training and Advice Grant

You may be able to get a Business Training and Advice Grant if you’re:

• out of work, and
• aged 16 or older and not qualified to receive NZ Super, and
• disadvantaged in the local labour market, and
• at risk of likelihood of long-term benefit dependency (this usually means you are getting a benefit or you qualify for one), and
• able to meet the residency criteria.

To meet the residency criteria you need to be ordinarily resident in New Zealand and either:

• a New Zealand citizen
• a resident with a residence class visa
• recognised as a refugee or protected person, or
• have a temporary visa that allows you to work in New Zealand and either:
  • have applied to be recognised as a refugee or protected person and are waiting on the outcome, or
  • have applied for a residence class visa and are compelled to stay in New Zealand because of unforeseen circumstances.

Disadvantaged in the labour market means you have, or are expected to have, difficulty in getting or keeping a job. For example, you might have barriers to employment such as lack of education and training.

You also need to be:

• planning to start a new business and
• getting help from us to start that business and
• intending to get Flexi-wage Self Employment for that same business.

If you're not sure whether you qualify, contact us.

We'll pay an expert who will help you with things like:

• business skills training
• developing a business plan
• business advice before and when starting your business
• independent vetting report
• mid-project financial report.

You can apply more than once, but the total amount cannot be more than $5,000 in a 52 week period.

You need to call us on 0800 559 009

We'll talk with you to understand your situation and how we can help. We'll let you know what information you need to provide and how to get this to us.

You'll need to:

• write a brief summary about your business
• provide information about what course or service you want the grant for.