The Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing affordable, accessible mentoring for small business owners just like you. Since 1986, SBMS has helped entrepreneurs and small business operators start, grow and thrive.

Our Partnerships.

SBMS works closely with local councils, government programs and industry partners to deliver business mentoring initiatives that strengthen communities and support local economic growth.

Our Mentors.

Through our national network of more than 120 experienced business mentors, we offer one-on-one mentoring designed to meet the unique challenges faced by small business owners. Our mentors come from diverse industries and bring real-world experience, practical guidance, and encouragement to help you overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success.

How Mentoring Works.

The right mentor can provide personalised support tailored to your pace and business needs. Mentoring helps you navigate challenges, build resilience, and take your business to the next level.

Choosing the Right Mentor.

You can select a mentor based on their skills or industry experience. Our website will suggest mentors who best match your chosen criteria, and you can view their full profiles to learn more. Alternatively, you can also browse all mentors and refine your search by skills, industries, or location to find the best fit for your business goals.

Mentoring is primarily delivered online for your convenience. If in-person sessions are available in your mentor’s area, you are welcome to discuss this preference directly with them after booking.

It is important to note that all mentor sessions are completely confidential. Please see our Privacy and Confidentiality Statement.

Booking a Mentor.

Once you have selected your mentor and your payment has been processed, your mentor will contact you to discuss your sessions and how they will best support you. Please allow up to 3–5 business days following your online booking. Bookings are made by debit (EFTPOS) or credit card.

• Single-session bookings must be used within 3 months of purchase.
• Multiple-session bookings must be used within 12 months from the date of the last session or within two years of the initial purchase.

Choosing a Mentoring Package.

We find that lasting benefits are usually achieved with a minimum of three sessions, which is also our most popular option.

The key exceptions to this are where you are seeking quick clarity on a specific challenge, or you are taking initial steps to start a business.

Learn more about mentoring packages and pricing.

Changing Your Mentor.

If the mentor you book feels you would benefit from a mentor with different skills, they will arrange a transfer without affecting your booking. Alternatively, you can contact our support team for assistance, as we want to ensure your mentor meets your needs.

After Your Mentoring Sessions.

At the end of your sessions, we will send you a short survey to better understand how mentoring helped your business, and to ensure we continue to improve our services.

Take the First Step to Support Your Business.

Connect with a mentor and book your session.

If you need further assistance with selecting or booking a mentor, or have other questions, please call us on 1300 816 817, our team are here to help.

Keep up to date with mentoring insights, practical support, and external services by subscribing to our monthly SBMS newsletter.

The SBMS Team

Grounded in experience, focused on results.