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Business in Wellington

Discover a variety of programs, initiatives, funding opportunities, and essential resources to help you start, manage, and grow your business successfully.
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Business Concierge Service

How We Can Help You

Navigating Council processes and knowing who to contact can be complex and sometimes overwhelming. The Business Concierge Service is here to provide clear guidance and support, especially when multiple departments are involved in processing permit applications.

Our goal is to streamline the permit process and make your experience as smooth as possible at every stage.

We can help you:

  • Identify the permits you may need and outline the application process
  • Connect with key Council departments, including Planning, Building, Health, and Local Laws
  • Understand available grants and support programs
  • Network with local business groups and trader associations
  • Serve as a key point of contact for business-related enquiries.

If your business proposal requires multiple permits, the Business Concierge can coordinate meetings and liaise with relevant Council departments to ensure all aspects of your proposal are considered and processed efficiently.

For enquiries or support to get started, please contact:

Rachel Weatherley

Email: rachelw@wellington.vic.gov.au

Mobile: 0429 633 199

Phone: (03) 5142 3260

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Business Background Research

Helpful Resources for starting your business

Business Victoria – Find templates, grants, and support to help you set up and grow your business.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – Business and tax registrations.

Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) – Use this tool to find out which licences you need to start, run and grow your business.

Taking Care of Business E-Newsletter

Stay connected and up to date with all things business in Wellington Shire Council through our E-Newsletter.

Get the latest business news, insights, and opportunities in Wellington Shire Council straight to your inbox. Taking Care of Business is our bi-monthly e-newsletter, packed with valuable resources, updates, and expert tips to help your business thrive. Each edition highlights important news, upcoming events, business grants and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that you’re always in the know.

Looking for past editions?

Upcoming events and workshops

The Middle of Everywhere Jobs and Careers Fair 2025

  • Wednesday 14 May
  • 9:30am – 2:30pm
  • Sale Memorial Hall, 88 Macalister Street, Sale

The Middle of Everywhere Jobs and Careers Fair is a great opportunity for our business community and workforce to connect. Whether you're looking to upskill, switch careers, enter the workforce, or explore local industries, join us this May.

Local businesses will showcase job openings, offer skills development advice, and discuss opportunities with job seekers.

Information for job seekers

  • This community event allows job seekers to connect with employers and explore available positions, apprenticeships, and career pathways in Wellington and the surrounding area.
  • Bring your resume, an open mind, and discover new opportunities
  • No registration is required for job seekers – just show up on the day

Information for Businesses

We invite you to register your interest to attend or post job vacancies for The Middle of Everywhere Jobs and Careers Fair this May.

  • Showcase your business and services
  • Connect directly with local job seekers
  • Discuss current job openings
  • Explore training and skills development

Employers with multiple vacancies are encouraged to register to exhibit. A physical job board will also be available to display local vacancies, offering a connection for employers unable to attend or with fewer openings. Express your interest here.

Other programs

Small Business Mentoring Service

Provides businesses across Wellington with low-cost mentoring to help them with marketing, finance, planning and all aspects of small business.

To access a free mentoring session with Small Business Mentoring Service, contact the Concierge service on (03) 5142 3260.

Startup Gippsland

If you have an idea for a new business or an existing business that you want to scale nationally and internationally, then Startup Gippsland can help.

Business Victoria - Online Courses and Webinars

Short courses, online events and resources from the state’s top education providers and industry experts to help you upskill and run your business better.

Business Networks

Local trader and tourism associations are essential in strengthening community businesses. They provide networking, advocacy, resources, collective marketing, and community engagement, helping foster a resilient economy. To join your local association, please see the contact details below.

Dargo Business and Tourism Association

Contact: Emile Theodore (President)

Telephone: 0418 563 601

Email: emile@castleburnstation.com.au

Heyfield Traders and Tourism Inc.

Contact: Jamie Riley (President)

Telephone: (03) 5148 3447

Email: Cafe.3858@hotmail.com

Website: www.visitheyfield.com.au

Loch Sport Business and Tourism Association

Contact: Matt Edey (President) or Tony Patchell (Secretary)

Telephone: 0417 122 694 or 0402 909 005

Email: secretary@visitlochsport.com.au

Website: www.discoverlochsport.com.au

Maffra Business and Tourism Association

Contact: Linda Hunt (Secretary)

Telephone: 0488 411 021

Email: maffrabta@gmail.com

Website: visitmaffra.com.au

Port Albert Progress Association

Contact: Jenny Smith

Telephone: 0439 681 187

Email: portalbertprogress@gmail.com

Website: www.portalbert.vic.au

Rosedale Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Matt Vaux (President)

Telephone: 0437 689 648

Email: matt.vaux@rosedalebutchers.com.au

Website: https://www.facebook.com/rosedalechamber3847

Sale Business and Tourism Association

Contact: Julian McIvor (President) or Joy Churchill (Administrative Officer)

Telephone: 0428 084 622 or 0448 742 273

Email: admin@salebta.com.au

Website: salebta.com.au

Stratford Community Association

Contact: Shayne Hyman (President)

Telephone: 0417 330 081

Email: shayne.hyman@gmail.com

Website: www.stratford3862.com.au

Yarram Progress Association

Contact: Emily Spalding (President)

Telephone: 0427 502 446

Email: emilyspalding77@gmail.com

Website: https://www.yarram.org.au/

Regional Destination and Advocacy Groups

Regional destination boards boost tourism by highlighting distinctive cultural, natural, and historical attractions. They work with local businesses to enhance tourism experiences and encourage sustainable practices. These boards also attract investment for regional development, improving infrastructure and creating jobs, strengthening the economy and showcasing the diversity of Australian regions.

One Gippsland - Wellington Shire Council is a member of One Gippsland, which is the peak regional advocacy body representing the Gippsland region. One Gippsland aims to connect the dots between government, business and community, while collectively working together to champion the interests of our region and our people.

Committee for Wellington - The Committee for Wellington comprises business and community leaders from the Shire who are passionate and committed to the economic development of the region, recognising the benefits that will flow to our community, including job creation and infrastructure development.

Destination Gippsland - Our role is to grow and serve the Gippsland tourism sector and work in partnership with the industry and government to deliver rewarding and lasting economic, environmental and social outcomes.

Get involved with The Middle of Everywhere

The Middle of Everywhere team is dedicated to showcasing the best of what our region has to offer, and we have a few ways you can get involved.

  • List your business on The Middle of Everywhere website and include your events. It's the most popular page on the website, and it's super easy, quick, and, best of all, free! If you prefer physical advertising, you can also drop off brochures at the Sale Visitor Information Centre at the Port of Sale.
  • The Middle of Everywhere website is also home to Wellington's most comprehensive list of events. Use the following link to add your event to the calendar.
  • Want to be featured in a Content Friday promotion? On Fridays, the Team heads out into the community to promote a town or area on Facebook and Instagram. These posts receive high levels of engagement, and businesses that visit them report direct visitation from the post.

Grants and Funding

We have a free online service that enables Wellington Shire Council individuals, businesses and community organisations to easily identify and access funding opportunities from local, state and federal governments and other grant programs.

By registering on the website, you can create favourites lists, receive direct email alerts from your chosen areas of interest and keep up to date with potential funding opportunities and deadlines.

The website also offers advice and top tips for finding and applying for grants and allows you to filter your search by a specific location, industry or type of project.

Other grant resources:

Employment Support

Gippsland Jobs Hub - If you are a local business looking for employees, you can post job vacancies on this portal at no cost, promote your business across the region.

Workforce Australia - Workforce Australia is a place Australians can search and apply for jobs or find more information on their pathway to employment.

Fair Work - Advice and support tools for businesses that employ staff, like pay and wages calculators, leave information and National Employment Standards.

WorkSafe Victoria - For information and guidance on workplace safety and wellbeing.

Other Business Resources

Victorian Small Business Commission - resolves disputes between businesses and a broader range of organisations, including professional associations, educational institutions, industry bodies and certain special bodies within government.

Workforce Australia

Aus Industry

Economic Profile and Business Insights

For insight into our economy visit the links below:

Wellington Economy, Jobs, and Business Insights | Summary | REMPLAN - Use this data to learn about Wellington’s industry mix, workers, tourism and trends. Find information on employment, wages and salaries, exports and imports and visitor spending.

Wellington Shire Council Profile – provides demographic analysis for the city and smaller areas within it based on results from the 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996 and 1991 Censuses of Population and Housing.

Australian Bureau of Statistics QuickStats on our larger towns are detailed below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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