Funding of $7.2 million will establish a voluntary cyber health-check program to allow businesses to undertake a free, tailored self-assessment of their cyber security maturity.

The program will help businesses determine the strength of cyber security measures and access educational tools and materials they need to upskill.

Companies with higher risk exposure will also be able to access a more sophisticated, third-party assessment to provide additional security across national supply chains.

A further $11 million is allocated to a Small Business Cyber Resilience Service which will provide one-on-one assistance to help small businesses navigate their cyber challenges, including walking them through the steps to recover from a cyber-attack.

The announcement comes after the latest Annual Cyber Threat Report revealed cybercrimes rose by 23 per cent in the past year, with one incident reported every six minutes in Australia.

The Government says small and medium business supports will be included in the upcoming 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, with small and medium businesses more vulnerable to the impacts of cyber incidents.

Minister for Small Business Julie Collins said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy and the foundation for Australia’s digital economy, making up 97 per cent of all Australian businesses.

“That’s why the Albanese Government will continue to put them at the centre of our efforts to tackle cyber security threats and help uplift their cyber capabilities to create a stronger Australia.”

Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil added: “We understand the challenges that small businesses face in the complex world of cyber security, but they are not on their own. The Australian Government’s cyber security strategy will make sure the support is available to help them understand and improve their own cyber security.”

Victorian Chamber advocacy

The Victorian Chamber provided detailed industry insights to help shape the 2030 Strategy through our Cyber Security and Scams Policy Position. The Policy Position, developed through extensive consultation with small, medium and family businesses, telcos, social media platforms, health providers, education institutions, banks and other critical infrastructure, contains 24 ‘game-changers’ to protect businesses from cyber threats.

The Victorian Chamber also has a free Small Business Cyber Security Checklist for businesses to review their cyber defences and Cyber Security Essentials for Business self-paced learning that delivers foundational cyber knowledge.