Small business operators in the Craigieburn area can access free mentoring, support and government business services when the Small Business Bus visits on Tuesday 30 August 2016.

The bus will be present as part of the month-long Small Business Festival Victoria, which this year will showcase over 450 free and low-cost business events around the state throughout August. The bus will be visiting 22 regional locations and seven metro locations as part of this year’s festival.

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis said the Andrews Labor Government had last year doubled its mobile support for small business, with a second Small Business Bus delivering valuable advice to towns and suburbs across Victoria.

The bus service provides advice from small business mentoring specialists skilled in marketing, finance, human resources and sales. These experts have extensive experience in operating a small business and in senior business management roles, offering free advice to local businesses.

In the last 12 months over 1,500 small businesses accessed free on-board mentoring, while a further 6,200 received assistance from an information officer.  This year’s enhanced touring program will take more information and services to more towns across the state than ever before, benefiting businesses that may not have the time or resources to otherwise access the available support.

The Small Business Bus will be located at Central Square, Craigieburn Central, 340 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn VIC 3064 from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 30 August 2016.

Free mentoring sessions on board the bus are limited and bookings are essential. For more information or to book a session, visit business.vic.gov.au/sbb or call Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15. Small Business Festival Victoria runs throughout the month from 1 August. For details of the full festival program, including festival features and key events in Melbourne and regional Victoria, visit business.vic.gov.au/festival