Business Conversations

Cumberland City Council supports local businesses 

Cumberland City Council runs free business programs and provides a range of resources and services to help grow your business


March 2023 Update:

UTS Sustainable Innovation Challenge

For industry partners, the UTS Sustainable Innovation Challenge is an opportunity to explore and invest in new ideas while collaborating with a team of talented students who provide fresh perspectives and support sustainable innovation.

The challenge allows students to learn and apply problem-solving skills in a real-world setting, working closely with experienced coaches and industry partners on a high-value project, and a chance to win significant cash prizes while positioning themselves for top job opportunities.

  • Student teams solving real-world problems for SMEs. 
  • $19,500 in cash prizes, no cost to industry partners. 
  • Professional coaches guide student teams. 
  • Kick-off workshop and showcase event. Enter by 29 March to participate.

Industry Partners can submit innovation challenges

This program is supported by the Commonwealth Department of Education and the UTS Business School. It comes at no cost to our industry partners.

  • Participation is open to all NSW-based businesses with less than 200 staff (SMEs)
  • As an industry partner, you can propose a sustainable innovation challenge by 29 March 2023.
  • If your project is selected, you will be contacted by 14 April 2023,

To find out more about UTS Sustainable Innovation Challenge please visit the UTS website. 


March 2023 Update:

Women in Finance and Economics Scholoarships 

TAFE NSW is offering a Finance and Economics Scholoarship for women to encourage educationally or financially disadvantaged women to attain qualifications in financial planning, accounting, business, finance and economcis, or to renew, upskill or refresh their existing skills. 

There are limited scholarships available to eligiable applications, each awarded scholarship has a total valaue of upt to $13,200, which will be applied as credits against your course tuition fees. Closing date: 5pm Friday 31 March 2023 

To find out more about the scholarship and to submit an application please visit the TAFE NSW website. 


March 2023 Update:

CSIRO STEM Partnership Program 

CSIRO would like to invite local businesses to join in for an online information session to learn about Generation STEM, you will be able to discuss your ideas on local challenges and find out how you or your organisation can be involved. The Generation STEM initiative aims to attract, support, retain and train NSW school students in STEM, into further education and employment, students will be given a program to work on based on the information you provide to help support the growth of your business.

In this session, the CSIRO team will review challenges in the local area for students to address in 2023, and present opportunities for you to be involved, including mentoring teachers, hosting site visits or providing work experience opportunities. The time commitment is flexible and there is no cost to participate.

The session will be held on Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 11:00am to 11:45am 

If you are interested in registering for session, please do so before Monday 27 February

For more information and to register, visit the CSIRO website.


February 2023 Update:  

Employers are constantly looking through and using the LinkedIn platform for candidates suited to specific roles, using their various connections to target the right person. This is why it's really important to have an up-to-date photo and profile, as your skills and experience may just be exactly what a recruiter is looking for.

Cumberland City Council want to help our community in their journey to:

  • Apply for that role they always wanted;
  • Gain confidence in self promotion; and
  • Build their professional network online

This is why Cumberland City Council is offering a FREE Professional Headshoots portrait photo for people living in the Cumberland LGA!  If you are intertested in taking a Free Professional Headshoots please fill out this expression of interest form

We want your feedback on Westmead South!

Cumberland City Council is seeking feedback from local business owners and residents on Westmead South.

Local Business Webinars 2023

Check our 2023 Business Webinars program

Support for small business during COVID-19

If you are a small business owner and facing difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a range of government support packages and services available.
You can access these resources from the NSW Government website.

One-on-One Business Advisory

Get personalised business advice from a trusted, local business advisor.
For more information, see the Council website


If you have any questions about business programs in Cumberland, please contact:
Economic Development Team
P: (02) 8757 9000
E: Engagement@cumberland.nsw.gov.au 

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Cumberland City Council is a proud member of the

International Association of Public Participation Australia.