Image: Office for Small and Family Business
South Australian small business owners will continue to have access to free mental health and wellbeing support, with the State Government committing $240,000 to extend a program that has already reached thousands of businesses.
The funding will keep the Office for Small and Family Business’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Program running until June 30, 2027, with support delivered through Master Builders Association South Australia and Be Well Co.
Since launching in 2023, more than 7,400 businesses have accessed the program, which is designed to help owners and employees manage some of the pressures that can come with running and working in a small business.
The extension follows statewide consultation in 2024 and 2025, where business owners raised concerns about the ongoing impacts of inflation, workforce shortages and natural disasters on their mental health and wellbeing.
Minister for Small and Family Business Nadia Clancy said the pressures faced by business owners could quickly build up.
“Small business owners face daily pressures that can take a toll on their mental health and wellbeing,” Minister Clancy said.
“No business owner should feel they have to manage those pressures alone, and practical support should be easy to access when it is needed.”
For people working in South Australia’s building and construction industry, the funding will allow Master Builders SA’s RISE program to continue offering free and confidential support.
The program pairs people working in the industry with a personal coach and can assist with issues including burnout, work-life balance, bullying and harassment, and financial stress.
Master Builders SA CEO Will Frogley said the industry could be highly rewarding but also challenging.
“RISE offers a free personal coach for everyone employed in our industry – a nation-leading initiative,” he said.
“Master Builders SA is extremely proud of the real difference the program is making to so many lives.”
Be Well Co will continue supporting the broader small and family business community through free in-person and online masterclasses, workshops and resources for business owners and their staff.
CEO Dr Joep van Agteren said small businesses often did not have access to the same workplace wellbeing resources available to larger organisations.
“Continued funding from the State Government means we can keep supporting the mental health of small and family businesses, which rarely get access to this kind of training because it is usually built for large organisations with HR teams and budgets behind them,” he said.
The program forms part of South Australia’s Small Business Strategy 2023–2030 and operates alongside other support services, including financial counselling through Rural Business Support for businesses impacted by drought and the algal bloom, Family and Business Mentors for regional primary producers and Seafood Industry SA’s Stay Afloat program.
For more information about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Program, visit business.sa.gov.au.
