Find business support

Find information on Council, state and federal initiatives to support and develop local businesses.

Activation Grants

Activation Grants support local businesses, organisations and individuals to deliver innovative, creative and interactive activations and experiences to Stonnington. Testing new ideas in our outdoor public spaces within our activity centres.

The grants will help create a vibrant, creative city that enhances its thriving and unique places and delivers positive economic, community and sustainability impacts for our communities.

Find out more and apply at Activation Grants.

You can also find extra support through our Community Grants program.

Parklet hire

Stonnington's Mobile Parklet Program is for local businesses interested in testing outdoor dining. The program offers a parklet at no cost to a business for 8 to 12 weeks.

The inviting outdoor space supports local businesses by giving visitors an extra outdoor space to sit and relax.

If the parklet is successful, businesses can continue trading within the outdoor space by applying for a roadside dining permit.

To apply for the parklet program, email placemaking@stonnington.vic.gov.au with your business and contact information.

Co-working spaces

Co-working spaces provide flexible workspaces for start-up businesses, freelancers and small businesses.

The City of Stonnington offers many co-working spaces, particularly in South Yarra, providing opportunities for flexible working, networking, knowledge sharing, connection and collaboration.

Prahran

Boardroom and meeting rooms at Independent Studios

A range of spaces are available to hire at The Windsor Workshop, including spaces for:

  • creative workshops
  • co-working offices
  • meeting rooms
  • private art classes - great for team building!

South Yarra

Meeting spaces at Exchange Workspaces

Meeting spaces at The Loft Workspaces

Meeting rooms at The Commons

A range of spaces are available at YellowDesk, including:

  • work spaces
  • boardrooms
  • podcast room
  • photo studio.

Trader Associations

Trader Associations bring together businesses in the community to help grow, develop and promote local business.

Support and advice

Australian Small Business Advisory Services

City of Stonnington supports the Australian Small Business Advisory Services Digital Solutions program to provide targeted mentoring and advice to help small businesses succeed and grow.

Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time (or equivalent) employees, and sole traders, can access one-on-one sessions and group workshops at a subsidised price.

This service is a great opportunity to learn from experienced advisors who understand your business needs and can help you grow your digital capabilities.

For more information, visit the Business Victoria website.

ATO webinars

The Australian Tax Office has free webinars for small businesses to help you understand your tax obligations, record keeping, cash flow and more.

Details on the webinars can be found at Australian Tax Office.

Business.gov

Find information, grants, services and support from across government for your business at Australia Government Business.

Small Business Bus

Access friendly, professional help and expert advice from an experienced business mentor.

Council currently has multiple visits scheduled for the Small Business Bus throughout the year. Details can be found at Business Victoria's workshops and mentoring.

Support for Victorian businesses

For all you need to know about managing a business in Victoria, visit Business Victoria.

Virtual Advice Session

Whether you're planning, starting or growing your business, Business Victoria's virtual advice session can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities.

A business expert will help to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop a business action plan to achieve your goals, all for free. Available Monday to Friday, the sessions last 45 minutes, and bookings are essential.

Business plans and strategies

Local business and the community is important to us and creating a vibrant city we can all love. That's why we've created the Place-Led Economic Development Strategy to support and grow business in Stonnington.

The strategy:

  • outlines how we work with local businesses to support economic growth in Stonnington
  • seeks your feedback to guide Stonnington's business pathway into the future.