NSW Minister for Small Business John Barilaro has a saying: “Small business is everybody’s business.”
The NSW government has stuck to the mantra, with its abundance of small business initiatives to boost the small business sector. One key area of the NSW government’s focus is Western Sydney, the third largest economy in Australia. In its heartland is Parramatta, the geographical centre of the Sydney metropolitan area and a buzzing multicultural hub.
“[Paramatta] is growing off the back of mums and dads – small business owners – who are actually investing in small businesses and growing jobs,” says the Minister.
The most recent initiative is the Easy To Do Business Program, which aims to cut down and simplify government regulation. It’s currently being trialed in Western Sydney, targeting local cafes to help with building or expanding their small business.
Parramatta is a multicultural hub of small businesses. Source: Supplied
He says, “It takes 18 months to get approval, 48 forms, 75 bits of regulation and 13 levels of government, 13 agencies - We want to bring that down to 3 months. It’s one point of entry, you come in on a digital platform, everything runs parallel, and by the end of the three months you can start your business. It’s about simplifying and starting a small business in NSW.”
Circa Espresso in Parramatta’s Wentworth St is a budding example of the initiative helping innovate local businesses.
“These guys are an example of what we’re trying to change. Anyone who wants to start a café or bar in NSW or here in the city is to cut down the process.”
However, red tape isn’t the only challenge small businesses face, particularly in a global economy where exporting is a part of the small business game.
Circa Espresso opened up in a neglected Parramatta laneway, and is now one of the area's busiest cafes. Source: Supplied
“It’s a global market, so that international and national players are playing in the small business space, so they are the challenges.”
Managing the family business in his hometown of Queanbeyan for more than 25 years means the Minister understands the roadblocks that come with running a small business. He found issues with access to information.
“As someone who’s been in business for 25+ years, I never thought that was there. I used to be critical of government about what government does for me and my small business.”
He says the best way small businesses can benefit is to seek out the government resources out there, which come in a number of languages for entrepreneurs from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Minister Barilaro takes a walk with Ricardo Goncalves in Parramatta. Source: Supplied
“Government has a number of resources – especially for small business owners that come from a non-English speaking background, we have resources in their language making sure you can navigate through how to start your business, how to conduct your business, your obligations, and what are some of the impacts on business.”
For more information on the Easy To Do Business Initiative, you can visit
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