Business Boost initiative

SMART Foundations is a free 6-month business skills program for sole traders and home-based businesses in City of Moreton Bay.

Backed by Business Boost and Hnry, the program offers 6 workshops covering different topics. These will teach you the essentials, from tax, pricing and cash flow to business structures, invoicing and customers. Participation in the series will give you practical tools you can apply straight away.

With expert support and a connected cohort, you’ll gain clarity, streamline your business and grow with confidence.

To learn more or register, visit SMART Foundations.

The Tax Clinic offers free tax help to small businesses and individuals. It is run by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). Accounting students provide this help under the supervision of a registered tax agent. This service will be available until 2027.

Register for the UniSC Tax Clinic

Our Business Boost initiative is sponsoring the clinic. Through this partnership, the clinic can expand to provide workshops to small businesses. They will also host Tax Clinic talks at Moreton Bay business events until 2027.

UniSC Tax Clinic Business Program case study

Free tax workshops 

Tax workshops, covering general information about tax essentials and smart tax strategies for small, home-based or micro-business owners, will be held at UniSC in mid-2026.

Workshop dates will be posted to this website closer to mid-2026. Stay informed with upcoming business events by subscribing to Moreton Business Connect.

Learn more about how these tax clinics can support your business.

City of Moreton Bay is committed to establishing the city as a leader in sustainable tourism. To support this, we're encouraging local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

In 2025, our Eco-Certification and Accreditation Support Program helped 20 local businesses. We provided up to $5,000 in financial support. This was to undertake or renew their eco-certification and accreditation.

Applicants for this program closed on 30 May. Businesses can still take steps towards eco-certification and accreditation through other programs to:

• boost their business's market appeal by publicly demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices
• highlight the role their business plays in advancing environmental excellence within its community
• put in place sustainability practices within their business to align with global standards
• help their business work with local businesses to build a resilient, sustainable economy.

Discover more eco-certification and accreditation support programs.

The Master Your Food Business Program empowered food business owners. This program provided tools, guidance, and knowledge to help navigate industry challenges.

The program had key learnings for food business owners. It covered best practices and strategies. The program was industry-led and designed to:

• increase profitability
• enhance sustainability
• scale with staff
• address key issues.

Participants gained the skills to enable their food business to survive and thrive.

Learn more about the Master Your Food Business Program and our case studies.

The Shopfront Renewal Program delivered vibrant transformations across local retail precincts in 2025.

The program:

• injected new life into key commercial areas
• delivered brighter streetscapes with refreshed facades and creative design elements
• lifted the visual appeal of local shopping areas.

By drawing attention to vacant properties, the program promoted shops for lease. This encouraged new business interest.

The Tech Essentials Program boosted the online capability of small businesses. By improving technology adoption and digital skills, it helped strengthen their digital presence. The program offered 1,000 local small businesses a free 6-month subscription to:

Xero: an integrated accounting platform

Constant Contact: a complete digital marketing solution.

These tools:

• streamline invoicing
• improve cash flow
• provide financial clarity
• enable personalised targeted marketing to grow sales
• strengthen customer relationships
• enhance competitiveness.

By saving time on finance and marketing, businesses could focus on what matters most. Investing resources where they were needed helped support long-term success and growth.

We're proud to have helped local businesses use digital solutions to build a stronger and more resilient future.

The Business Boost Tech Essentials Program is now closed, having reached full subscription by 27 June 2026.

Our tourism sector is growing. Visitors are showing more interest in farming and food production. The Beyond the Farm Gate Program supported our local agricultural businesses, helping them combine farming, tourism, and hospitality. It also supported the creation of immersive visitor experiences.

The program offered custom workshops, seminars, and online courses. This program was by our partner, Regionality Pty Ltd. Business owners received the tools, strategies, and knowledge they need, helping them grow a successful agritourism product.

Learn more about the Beyond the Farm Gate Program and our case studies.