The Minns Labor Government is building a better New South Wales for women by empowering them to start and grow their businesses through programs funded under the Supporting Women in Business Grants 2025/26.
Two organisations - Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council and The Social Outcomes Lab - have in total received $500,000 in NSW government funding to support more than 90 women across New South Wales increase their skills and confidence to achieve their business goals.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the state's economy, comprising 97 per cent of all NSW businesses and employing 1.7 million people.
The 2021 Census shows approximately 34 per cent of NSW small business owners are female. In comparison, 66 per cent of the state's small business owners are male.
One of the key focus areas of the NSW Women's Strategy is to empower women and boost their participation. Supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners start and run successful businesses helps drive economic growth and increase gender equality in business ownership through to leadership.
The 2025/26 grants program focuses on supporting women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council
Their program "Empowering Nyamis in Business and Culture, Strengthening Skills, Confidence and Economic Independence" will provide tailored support to women starting or growing their micro or small business. Supports include mentoring, business training, networking, and access to finance.
The program will be run in Nambucca Valley, Bellingen Shire, and Coffs Harbour.
The Social Outcomes Lab
The "Business incubator for migrant women foodpreneurs" program is focused on supporting migrant and refugee women, providing them with business training, culinary training and empowerment training to run a food business.
The program will be run in Cumberland, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Queanbeyan-Palerang.
For more information on the Supporting Women in Business Grants, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2025-26-supporting-women-business-grants
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"I've met many women across New South Wales who have shared fantastic ideas for a small business - they just need a bit of support to get them off the ground.
"These grants are one of the ways the government is partnering with local organisations, to provide women with that additional help, such as business training plus mentoring, so they feel confident and have the right guidance to grow their idea into a thriving business.
"Women-run businesses, especially micro-businesses, are on the rise, and the Minns Government is working hard to empower women across the state to fulfil their ambitions of running their own business."
Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said:
"These grants are about backing women who are creating opportunity not just for themselves, but for their families, their communities and their local economies.
"I'm especially pleased to see funding going to an Aboriginal-led organisation on the North Coast, where women are driving economic strength while preserving culture and community connection.
"Supporting a migrant women-led organisation through this program recognises the incredible contribution migrant women make to our small business sector, often overcoming significant barriers to build successful enterprises.
"When we invest in women-led small businesses, we invest in more resilient, inclusive and innovative communities."
Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Michele Donovan said:
"The program will benefit Aboriginal women from regional New South Wales, in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen Valley and Nambucca Valley with tailored support, mentoring and business training.
"Utilising their strong cultural connections, stories and language to develop a sound tourism product, or cultural tourism experience, Aboriginal women will gain skills, confidence and resources needed to start or grow micro and small businesses, from ideation to a developed product or business which will showcase the Gumbaynggirr Cultural experience for tourists who visit our region.
"This holistic approach ensures Aboriginal Women receive comprehensive support from business ideation to securing finance and launching their business."
The Social Outcomes Lab Managing Director Nazia Ahmed said:
"This accelerator program has the potential to transform lives while strengthening social cohesion across New South Wales. It will support culturally and linguistically diverse women to build sustainable food businesses through practical training, confidence-building, and access to professional networks and investment pathways.
"By sharing the stories of these food entrepreneurs, the program will foster greater understanding and connection across communities. In the longer term, this initiative also creates a pathway to develop a global social franchise model that improves livelihoods, builds hope, and supports women to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations."
