The VRCA has conducted their first 2026 Business Health Survey for regional and rural Victoria. Regional Victorian businesses are not in a “soft patch”. Many operators are now in survival mode. Our concerns are not just cost pressures; it is that businesses are working harder than ever while increasingly questioning whether the effort is sustainable. 44% of business owners say they are not drawing a living wage. 65% of business owners say they sometimes or never have work life balance. Business owners are exhausted not entitled.

We sat down with HR expert and Commerce Ballarat Board Member Fiona Murphy and lawyer James Remington of Nevetts Lawyers to answer some questions to help shape your understanding of these new laws and what you need to do.

This free, practical resource helps small and medium businesses break into government contracts. Packed with checklists, cheat sheets, AI prompts, and real-world examples, the Tender Toolkit is built to get you from “where do I start?” to “submission complete.”