Supporting the women who power our economy

AS the Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens has had the opportunity to meet many small business owners, and has admired their commitment, passion and desire to turn their vision into reality by running successful businesses.

It is important that we support our local businesses. Think about them whenever you need to buy something, because when you do, you are supporting our local economy.

Victorian women continue to play a growing role in our small business sector, and the Allan Labor government is expanding programs that support their skills, confidence and long–term economic independence.

One of the most enduring examples of this support is Victoria’s Small Business Bus.

For more than 15 years, this mobile advice service has travelled to over 3,500 locations across the state, including Geelong in early 2025, bringing free, one-on-one business support directly to local entrepreneurs.

The bus offers guidance on planning, marketing and navigating government programs, ensuring small business owners can access expert advice close to home.

Notably, more than 60 per cent of those who have sought help through the service have been women. This program plays a critical role in helping women turn bright ideas into resilient, sustainable ventures.

The Allan Labor government is further boosting women’s business capability through its Business Skills Mentoring Program, which is accepting applications until 27 March.

Participants receive three dedicated one-hour mentoring sessions with experienced business professionals, designed to sharpen skills, refine goals and address the real-world challenges small business owners face.

To check eligibility or apply, head to business.vic.gov.au

This program is a practical investment in women’s confidence and capacity to expand, ensuring they have the guidance they need at critical points in their development.

The Victorian government is also supporting migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women to build skills and find meaningful work.

Through SisterWorks’ hospitality employment pathways program, women are gaining practical training, confidence and support to enter the workforce.

The Allan Labor government provided $100,000 in the 2023-24 budget to support 60 women to participate in this program, building on more than $1 million invested since 2018 to strengthen SisterWorks’ broader employment and empowerment initiatives.

These investments help address barriers such as limited local experience, language challenges and higher unemployment rates, ensuring women who face additional structural hurdles have the opportunity to build skills, independence and long-term economic security.

The government-backed Alice Anderson Fund is ensuring that women-led startups can access the capital they need to scale.

Since 2021, the fund has supported early-stage Victorian companies with co-investments of between $50,000 and $300,000, unlocking more than $12.5 million in total capital and backing innovative founders across sectors such as HealthTech and sustainable beauty.

By improving access to early-stage investment, the fund is helping female founders overcome entrenched barriers in the startup ecosystem and giving them the financial runway they need to grow.

These initiatives demonstrate a clear commitment: the Allan Labor government is supporting women in business at every stage.

By investing in skills, confidence, mentorship and opportunity, we are helping Victorian women build the businesses and the futures that will shape our state for years to come.