This program allows employers to register non-compulsory occupational clothing, thereby avoiding liability for FBT and allowing employees to claim the cost of purchasing and maintaining such clothing as a tax deduction.

This program provides duty concessions to registered Australian TCF or design firms who assemble garments and footwear overseas from predominantly Australian fabric and/or leather and then import the finished product back into Australia for local consumption.

This is an entitlement program providing grants for investment and innovation activities for registered Australian textile, clothing and footwear firms carrying out eligible TCF activities in Australia.

TCF PDS is designed to assist clothing and finished textile manufacturers located in Australia internationalise their sourcing arrangements and complement their product range.

TCF SBP is a competitive, merit-based grants program. It provides program funding to textile, clothing and footwear small businesses to improve their business enterprise culture. The program is specifically aimed at TCF small businesses unable to receive assistance under the TCF (SIP) Scheme or the TCF Post-2005 (SIP) Scheme. It is competitive and merit-based with a maximum grant of $50,000 provided to each successful project. Funding of $2.5 million is available per year over a ten year period, commencing in 2006/07.

The Department works to attract investment to NSW and support innovative, sustainable and globally competitive businesses, industries and sectors. I&I NSW provide business assistance and advice, strong technical knowledge and scientific capabilities.

IP Australia administers the patents, designs, trade marks and Plant Breeder's Rights systems.

Strategies to protect your IP
Don't give away your most valuable asset!
You may lose your legal right to ownership of an innovative product or idea if you make knowledge of your IP public too early.
Be diligent in safeguarding and maintaining secrecy, communicating your legal rights and, if necessary, defending your rights through legal action. Legal protection will help preserve your intellectual investment and ensure that only you can turn your ideas into a commercial reality.

Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government initiative that provides comprehensive support to eligible Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The Tailored Advisory Service provides funding to implement actions identified in the Business Review

• A free Business Review conducted by skilled Business Advisers
• Researchers in Business helps place researchers from universities or public research agencies with businesses to develop and implement new commercial ideas
• Workshops, Industry Intelligence & Networking (WIIN) provides firms with access to events and networking opportunities relevant to their sector
• Technology and Knowledge Connect (TKC) provides a referral service linking firms to experts in relevant technological fields
• Online Self-assessment Tool is designed to help you identify aspects of your business that may need further development

Enterprise Connect will reimburse half of the cost of an approved Tailored Advisory Service project, to a maximum of $20,000.

The Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia Limited (TFIA) is the peak industry representative body of Australia's textile, clothing, footwear and fashion industries.

ENYA is a not for profit organisation run by young people, for young people. ENYA supports and promotes the active participation of young people in enterprise, in an ethical and sustainable manner. ENYA believes that not only does youth enterprise impact on employment, business acumen, workplace opportunities and financial independence amongst young people; it also encourages young people to become active, innovative, creative and socially responsible citizens.

Supports Young Entrepreneurs 15- 30entrepreneurs

The Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, professional organization with 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace.

The association is continuously forming links with other industry and business organisations, including education and research & development organisations in order to encourage an internationally competitive and innovative industry and to foster the growth of an appropriately skilled and sustainable workforce.

Whether your workplace is covered by the state or federal industrial relations system, the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) offers a range of free and paid practical workshops designed to help you to:

It is important that you understand current industrial relations legislation and how this affects your business whether you are covered by state or federal law. Do you understand the changes proposed under Fair Work Australia? Do you have questions about legislated employee entitlements such as parental leave, long service leave, award entitlements? This workshop will be regularly updated throughout the year as additional Fair Work Australia information becomes available. This workshop will help you:

This workshop will be regularly updated throughout the year as additional information about Fair Work Australia becomes available. This workshop is designed to provide employers with a general introduction toawards, and the various types of agreements that can be made in both the state and federal jurisdiction. This workshop will explain:

The Small Business Advisory Services Program is a $46 million program to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small businesses. It provides enhanced access to information and advice on issues important to sustaining and/or growing small business in response to the current global financial crisis.
Assistance is available in the areas of:

• Business planning advice
• Advice on loans and banking products including financial service providers
• Development of simple marketing plans
• Assistance accessing legal and accounting services
• Leasing guidance
• Advice on government regulation or mentoring for business.