As NSW celebrates Small Business Month, it has simultaneously and ironically axed its flagship Business Connect program, a move that small business advocates are calling “short-sighted” and “terrible timing.”

Brian Laul
October 4, 2025

With Small Business Month about to launch in October, a recent Business NSW survey shows small businesses across New South Wales are being squeezed by rising costs, worker shortages and compliance pressures.

Moree Online News

29 Sep 2025

Small businesses are being left in the lurch as the Minns government prepares to pull the plug on a free support service, as NSW experiences increased insolvency numbers.

Elizabeth Pike

State Political Reporter
September 29, 2025 2 min read

The Coalition is already promising to resurrect Business Connect if it returns to power at the next state election.

It appears the NSW Government-funded program, which delivers free, independent advice to small enterprises, will come to an end on 30 September.

Rod Thompson

September 23 2025

Regional and rural communities will be hit hard by the loss of a vital support program for small businesses, which had its funding cut in this year’s NSW Budget.

The Minns Government is being warned of a horrifying surge in insolvencies if it persists with ending the program.

Ian Bushnell

20 September 2025

Off the back of calls on the NSW Labor government to keep the state’s Business Connect program, the small business minister has suggested to just “Google it”.

Imogen Wilson

17 September 2025 8 min read

The latest Business NSW survey shows small businesses are being squeezed by rising costs, worker shortages and compliance pressures.

Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition

16 September 2025

NSW Labor has told small businesses to look to Google as it moves to shut down the Business Connect program, sparking backlash in Parliament.

Tegan Jones

Sep 11, 2025 4 min read

‘Google’ It: NSW Labor’s Answer as They Axe Business Connect Program

NSW Labor has told small businesses to “Google” the answers to their business challenges as the Minns Government remains determined to axe the Business Connect program on 30 September.

Georgia Madden

www.urdigital.com.au

15 September 2025 3mins read

Pressure is mounting on the State Government to reinstate the Business Connect program.

Troy Dodds

September 10, 2025,

Amidst the growing calls to continue the Business Connect program as the deadline at the end of the month looms closer, the NSW Government continues to stand firm behind its decision.

And answering the concerns raised by small businesses as to how they would address the business challenges they face beyond 30 September without the assistance Business Connect has been providing, Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin has advised them to “Google” for the answers instead.

Karl Aguilar

15 September 2025

The first 100 days can determine whether a small business thrives or fails, warns business advisor Geoff Silk.

After 8 years coaching 100s of start-ups through the NSW Government’s free Business Connect program, Mr Silk says the program, set to end 30 September 2025, has been crucial for many owners navigating this high-risk period.

Geoff Silk

Retail Pharmacy

16 September 2025

The NSW Government plans to axe Business Connect on September 30 – a $10 million program that delivers up to a 3:1 return on investment for the small business sector, which contributes $535 billion a year to the NSW economy.

Georgia Madden

www.urdigital.com.au

Sep 10, 2025

Daniel Hunter, chief executive of Business NSW, said the opposition's stance on the Business Connect program and payroll tax could deliver practical solutions for SMEs.

Imogen Wilson

08 September 2025 8 min read

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said Opposition Leader Mark Speakman’s announcements at today’s Business Illawarra forum in Kiama deliver practical solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.

“Business Connect is the only free, tailored advisory service available to small businesses in NSW. It should never have been cut,” Mr Hunter said.

Marise Donnolley

4th September 2025

Small business owners across NSW are rallying to save the Business Connect program before the government axes it on 30 September 2025.

Georgia Madden

www.urdigital.com.au

4th September 2025 3mins read

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has committed to bringing back the Business Connect program for the state’s small businesses, which has been axed by the Minns Labor Government.
 
Mr Speakman said a Liberals and Nationals Government would reinstate the free advisory service which has helped 60,000 small businesses around NSW.

Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition

Damien Tudehope
Shadow Treasurer

Tim James
Shadow Minister for Small Business

The New South Wales government is ending funding for its Business Connect program on September 30, eliminating a service that provided free business advice and was independently evaluated as returning up to three times its cost to the economy.

By Clare Riley

September 2 2025 2 min read

Liberal Councillor Reece Nuttall brought a motion to Monday night’s Ordinary Meeting requesting support from his fellow Councillors in writing to the Minister for Small Business and Treasurer to seek a reversal of the funding cut.

Emily Chate

August 27, 2025, 10:12

The government program that connects businesses to experts on the taxpayers' dime is being discontinued.

A review of Business Connect found the benefits outweigh the costs, and that it helped businesses survive.

The program's end comes as business insolvencies are at longtime highs.

By Tony Ibrahim

The Liberal Party’s Kiama candidate Serena Copley is urging voters to hold the Chris Minns Labor government to account in the upcoming by-election for the demise of the Business Connect program and rising insolvency liquidations.Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James joined Copley on the campaign trail by visiting Albert Street Caffé and Bar in Berry during the week.

They highlighted the axing of Business Connect and said the rising insolvency liquidations were due to decisions from the Minns government.

Mitchell Beadman

20 August 2025 1:00 PM

“The government’s decision to axe the Business Connect program is the final insult. Business Connect provided free, practical advice to small businesses navigating compliance, planning and financial management. It was one of the few lifelines available, and from 1 October it will be gone, with nothing to replace it.”

Tim James Serena Copley
19 August 2025 5 min read

NSW Premier Chris Minns has linked the axing of Business Connect to workers comp reforms, sparking clashes over premium hikes, business support.

Tegan Jones

Aug 14, 2025 5 min read

The non-bank lender has slammed the NSW government for its move to scrap a business support program, calling for its immediate reinstatement.

By Annie Kane 12 Aug 2025 9min read

Business groups in the Hunter Region are pushing back against the State Government's axing of the NSW Business Connect program.

By Lisa Rockman

August 5 2025 - 9:00 am

Covid was a tough time for many small businesses, but these two Riverina Murray businesses say their “lifeline” will be cut by a recent State Government decision.

Brendan Gullifer

3 min read August 12, 2025

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has acknowledged the need to retain specialist small business support following the closure of Business Connect.

Tegan Jones

Aug 4, 2025 3 min read

The recent closure of NSW Business Connectremains a sore point among small businesses in New South Wales who had long benefited from the state’s program.

Karl Aguilar

July 25, 2025 2 mins read

We’re talking about shops and services run by mums and dads, family operators, and young entrepreneurs, but instead of helping them succeed, Labor has abandoned them to prioritise its own balance sheet.

NSW Nationals

28 July, 2 min read

The Greens have confirmed they will question the NSW Treasurer in state Parliament over the Minns government’s decision to defund the Business Connect program.

TEAGAN jONES

Jul 25, 2025 2 min read

— The NSW government has quietly cut the Business Connect program, which offered free expert advice for small businesses and startups.

Tegan Jones

Jul 1, 2025 5 min read

As NSW quietly axes the Business Connect program, entrepreneurs will be left to face their toughest challenges alone, writes Martin Rogers.

Martin Rogers

Jul 4, 2025 5 min read

The axing of the Business Connect program for NSW small-business owners has advocates worried about the accessibility of business support services in the region.

Mia Lockett

July 4, 2025 2 min read

Funding has been axed for a support service that has assisted Albury small business owners through the toughest of times.

Madilyn McKinley

Jul 11 2025 2 min Read

Small business owners seeking advice on issues such as insolvency planning will be left with nothing after the Minns government cut the state’s only free business support service/

Madeline Bower

2 min read July 1, 2025

The NSW Opposition has urged the Minns government to reverse Business Connect cuts and restore free small business advice.

Tegan Jones

Jul 2, 2025 3 min read

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a blow to small businesses in Country North in its recent Budget by axing funding for the highly successful Business Connect program.

Aileen MacDonald MLC

15th July 2025

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch says the NSW Government has delivered a blow to Central Coast small businesses by axing funding for the Business Connect program

Coast Community News

July 16, 2025

An important free business advice program has been quietly cut by the State Government. Executive Officer of Western Sydney Business Centre (WSBC)

Emily Chate

July 18, 2025

It’s understood the state’s powers-that-be will cut financial backing for the Business Connect program from the 2025/26 budget, inhibiting a valuable support service that aids SMEs

Rod Thompson

July 6, 2025

The NSW Government’s Business Connect program will cease operations on 30 September 2025, ending years of free business advisory services for small and medium enterprises.

Yajush Gupta

July 3, 2025

The Minns Labor Government has turned its back on small businesses at a time when they are grappling with soaring costs, weak consumer confidence and economic uncertainty.

Mark Speakman

2 July, 2025

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a blow to Myall Lakes small businesses in its recent Budget by axing funding for the highly successful Business Connect program. 

Tanya Thompson MP

July 14th, 2025

The NSW Opposition has fiercely criticised Premier Chris Minns’ Labor government after it opted not to renew the Business Connect program in the 2025–26 state budget.

Nismo Better

Jul 3, 2 min read