Program overview
The Business Skills Mentoring program will provide up to 1,000 eligible small business owners with 3 one-hour mentoring sessions to be used within 3 months.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) open on Thursday 6 November 2025 and will close 5pm Friday 27 March 2026, or earlier if places are filled.
Before submitting an Expression of interest, please read all the information on this page, including the program guidelines.
About the program
The Business Skills Mentoring program aims to give small business owners the confidence to invest, expand and innovate.
What you get
You will receive 3, one-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced business professional. The program will help you build skills, set goals and navigate challenges that are relevant to your business needs.
Mentors can provide advice on a wide range of business topics including, but not limited to, marketing, communication, finance, strategic planning, digitalisation and change management.
Defined industry sectors
The program is for small business owners in 6 priority sectors:
- advanced manufacturing and defence
- agribusiness
- circular economy
- digital technologies
- health technologies and medical research
- regional tourism.
How to apply:
1. Submit an Expression of Interest
You must submit an online expression of interest to participate in the program. Expressions of interest will be assessed against the eligibility criteria as outlined in the program guidelines.
If deemed eligible, you will receive an email with details on how to complete the pre-mentoring stage.
2. Complete pre-mentoring stage
The pre-mentoring stage will help small business owners to consider what they hope to achieve through the mentoring program and to better understand the current state of the business.
Once you successfully complete the pre-mentoring stage, you will receive confirmation of enrolment into the mentoring program and will be paired with a suitable mentor.
Please refer to the program guidelines for more information.
Program guidelines
Further information
Expressions of interest (EOI) open on Monday 6 November 2025 and close at 5pm Friday 27 March 2026, or earlier if places are filled.
If you have any questions or require support with your expression of interest, contact us via email: businessmentoring@monarch.edu.au or via phone or SMS: +61 3 7056 6309.