ELIGIBILITY | Sarina Russo

Before completing a NEIS application, you’ll need to check the eligibility conditions below to see if you, or your business, can apply for the NEIS program.

Individuals who apply for New Business Assistance with NEIS must:

• be at least 18 years of age when they commence NEIS Assistance
• be available to participate in NEIS Training and work the required hours in the proposed NEIS Business
• be eligible to work in Australia
• not be an overseas visitor on a working holiday visa or an overseas student studying in Australia
• not be an undischarged bankrupt
• not have participated in NEIS in the past year

The business you want to establish with New Business Assistance must:

• not currently be operating in a commercial basis (if applying as a new business)
• be independent, be capable of withstanding public scrutiny, and be lawful
• be assessed as commercially viable
• be able to obtain insurance
• controlled, managed and physically located in Australia

If you’re applying as an , you must be a micro business seeking to refocus the business to adapt to economic pressures created by COVID-19.

You may be eligible to receive financial support via NEIS Allowance if you receive an Income Support payment from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) before transferring to the NEIS Allowance.

The NEIS allowance is available for up to 39 weeks. You may also be eligible to receive NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks. 

For more information about how to apply for the NEIS program or to discuss your eligibility, get in touch with our Sarina Russo Entrepreneur consultants for a chat.