LEARN ONLINE IN YOUR OWN TIME
Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business (BSB40320)
Starting a business is one thing. Running it well is another.
This is the course for the parts of business nobody teaches you about before you need them. Get a nationally recognised qualification (BSB40320), studied at your own pace from anywhere in NSW, built around the reality of running a business while you study.
Key course information
Start date
Any time from
September 2026
Ready when you are
Format
Fully online, self-paced
over 12 months
With monthly live sessions
Time commitment
15-20 hrs/week
Self-directed learning
Investment
$0 – $1,850
Eligibility-based
WHAT YOU’LL COME AWAY WITH
A nationally recognised qualification and the practical work to back it up.
Every unit you’ll learn is applied to your own business as you go, so by the end of the course you have actionable plans, not just the theory, along with a Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business on your CV and credentials.
01
A working business plan, not just a workbook
The course is built around developing a plan for your business as you go. By the end, you’ll have a robust, clear plan grounded in your business’ real numbers, not a generic template.
02
A handle on the money
Understand pricing, cash flow and basic financial planning for your business (the bits most owners avoid until something breaks). You’ll build a financial picture you can understand easily and use every day.
03
Marketing and finding new customers
Get to know how to find, attract and keep the right customers for your business using modern marketing techniques like social media, search engine marketing and more, in a way that makes sense for small business.
04
The structural stuff, sorted
Legal structure, compliance, insurance, basic operations and business systems that can make the difference between your business ‘just staying afloat’ or growing and thriving.
More about this qualification
This qualification reflects the role of individuals establishing or operating a business providing self-employment, as well as those establishing a new venture as part of a larger organisation.
These individuals use well developed skills and a broad knowledge base to solve a range of unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They may provide leadership and guidance to others and have responsibility for the output of others.
Who this is for
You’re either thinking of starting a business or have been running your own business for one to three years.
If you’re thinking of starting a business
You have an idea, maybe the start of a plan, and a list of things you’re not sure how to do. Pricing, structure, marketing, legals. You want to start properly, not work it out under pressure later.
If you’re already in business
You’re trading, you have customers and you can see where things can improve: cash flow, your time, marketing, new products. You want to step back and build a structure to take your business to the next level.
This is probably you if...
You want to learn how to run a sustainable business
You’re juggling marketing, finance, operations and your time
You need support developing your business plans
You want to study around your business and life commitments
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
10 Units of Competency covering everything to start and run a business.
Every unit is applied to your own business, not a theoretical case study. You complete the assessment by doing the work, not by studying for and doing an exam.
Units of Competency
Unit Code | Unit Title |
BSBCRT411 | Apply Critical Thinking to Work Practices |
BSBSTR501 | Establish Innovative Work Environments |
BSBESB404 | Market New Business Ventures |
BSBOPS304 | Deliver and Monitor a Service to Customers |
BSBTWK401 | Build and Maintain Business Relationships |
BSBESB402 | Establish Legal and Risk Management Requirements of New Business Ventures |
BSBESB406 | Establish Operational Strategies and Procedures for New Business Ventures |
BSBESB403 | Plan Finances for New Business Ventures |
BSBESB407 | Manage Finances for New Business Ventures |
BSBESB401 | Research and Develop Business Plans |
HOW IT WORKS
Practical course structure, designed for working business owners.
01 - Course pace
Start from September 2026
There’s no fixed end date and no weekly sessions to attend, but you’ll have up to 12 months to complete the course and can fit it around running a business.
02 - How you'll learn
Fully online, fully self-paced
All course materials, readings and materials are delivered through our online learning platform. Work through them at the time of day and pace that suits your business and life.
03 - Your time
15 to 20 hours per week
Reading, planning and applying the material to your own business. This is a practical course, so the time outside sessions is where most of the work gets done.
04 - Trainer support
Monthly drop-in sessions
Speak to your trainer for one-on-one questions, accountability check-ins and direct support. Self-paced doesn’t mean you won’t have support and your trainer is in your corner the whole time.
Funded through NSW Smart & Skilled and Workforce Australia, with subsidised training available for eligible applicants.
YOUR TRAINER
Meet Jessica Coates-Judson, your qualified trainer who is also an experienced business owner.
Jess grew up in a small family automotive business, where she learned every aspect of running a business while building her qualifications in business, education and communication.
She works with future and current business owners on development and strategy, marketing and social media, customer service and operations, with particular expertise in social media strategy and personal branding.
Jess has extensive experience across the vocational education and adult learning sector as a trainer and assessor, delivering qualifications in business services, entrepreneurship and media & communications. She holds numerous business qualifications alongside a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations.
The advice you’ll get from Jess isn’t fluff or guesswork, it’s the practical knowledge of someone who’s still doing the work.
WHY THE BUSINESS CENTRE
40 years of backing small businesses across NSW.
This Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business is purpose-built by the same advisors and trainers who work with small business owners like you every day.
Learn from someone who’s been where you are right now
Your trainer has owned and run their own business, so they understand your day-to-day reality
Informed by real, working knowledge of the small business landscape
Four decades supporting small businesses across NSW means the course material is grounded in real business conditions
Plug into a network of small business advice and support for you
Access our other advisory services and in-person or online events to support your business for the long-term
Easily understand your funding eligibility before you start studying
Our team will walk you through the eligibility check and confirm what you’ll pay before you commit
What it costs
$5,220
PROGRAM VALUE
Full cost of this qualification before subsidy
$0 – $1,850
WHAT YOU PAY
Dependent on eligibility
Most NSW residents that enrol in this course qualify for funding through NSW Smart & Skilled. The exact student fee depends on factors like prior qualifications and concession status, not on your income or size of your business.
We confirm exactly where you sit on the cost scale during a short enquiry call, before you commit to anything or start the course so there are no surprises about how much you’ll pay.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY
Four easy steps to get you started.
1
FILL OUT A SIMPLE ENQUIRY FORM
In just two minutes, answer a few quick questions about you and your business; no payment is taken at this step.
2
A TEAM MEMBER CALLS YOU
Our Customer Journey Concierge will reach out via phone to check funding eligibility and confirm exactly what you’ll pay.
3
YOUR ENROLMENT IS CONFIRMED
Once eligibility is confirmed, there are just a few more details to collect to finish enrolment and, if needed, complete payment.
4
GET STARTED WHEN YOU'RE READY
Our team will set you up with learning platform access, your trainer’s contact details and more, so you can start when you’re ready.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions we get most often.
How much does the Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business cost?
The program value is $5,220, but most students pay between $0 and $1,850 thanks to NSW Smart & Skilled subsidised funding. The exact amount depends on your eligibility, which factors in things like prior qualifications and concession status rather than your income or business size. We confirm your exact fee on a short enquiry call before you commit to enrolling, so you’ll know how much you’re paying from the start.
How long does the course take to complete?
The online course is self-paced and you’ll have 12 months to complete it. Feel free to fit your study around working, running a business and other life commitments, and know that you can move faster or slower depending on your time and capacity. We can discuss a target completion timeline with you during enrolment, but the pace you move at is totally up to you.
How much time will I need each week to work on the course?
Around 15 to 20 hours per week is the standard expectation, spread across reading, planning and applying the material to your own business and, because the course is self-paced, you have full flexibility about when you put those hours in. Most students find the time investment scales with the amount they want to get out of it.
What if I don't have a business yet?
This course is designed for people who are thinking of starting a business or already in a business, however early. The Units of Competency cover everything you need to know to confidently start and run a business, so it’s a great foundation if you’re in the planning stages of your business or growing an existing business.
Is this course completely online?
Yes. All course materials, readings and materials are delivered through our learning platform and you complete them in your own time. There’s an optional monthly session with your trainer for one-on-one questions and accountability check-ins. There’s no requirement to be online at any specific time unless you want to attend the monthly session and we’ll let you know in advance when this is scheduled.
What support do I get as an online student?
Self-paced doesn’t mean unsupported. Your monthly session with your trainer is the core support touchpoint in this course. You can use it for one-on-one questions, accountability check-ins or working through specific challenges in your business. Beyond that, your trainer is contactable between sessions for course-related questions and you’ll also be able to access our other business advisory programs services and events.
Is there an in-person option for this course?
Yes. This Certificate IV is also delivered in-person in Newcastle, Singleton, Maitland and Lake Macquarie. The in-person courses all include weekly face-to-face sessions with your trainer and cohort, plus the same course materials online. Most working business owners get more out of the in-person course if their schedule allows, the online option is here for students who need the flexibility. Find out more about this option when our team reaches out via phone.
Is there an exam at the end of the course?
There is no exam as part of this course. Assessment is based on the actual work you’re doing throughout the course (including the business plan, financial planning, and operational decisions you develop) and your attendance. You’ll submit work as you go and your trainer provides feedback, so by the end of the course you’ve completed the assessment without additional tasks or exams.
What if I don't qualify for subsidised funding?
We’ll let you know on the enquiry call before you commit to anything and we’ll walk you through the other options we have available. There are usually pathways forward, including paid enrolment in the course, or other programs we run that fit different stages and budgets. The enquiry call is no-pressure, you can take the information and decide later.
Can I do this while running my business full-time?
Most of our students do exactly that. The self-paced online format is designed specifically for working business owners so you can decide when you study and at what pace. The 15-20 hour weekly time commitment is real, but it’s spread across reading, planning, and applying things directly to your business, so much of it overlaps with work you may be doing in your business already.
What is BSB40320?
BSB40320 is the official course code for the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business, an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 4 qualification. It’s recognised across Australia and sits on the National Training Register and it supersedes the older BSB42618 and BSB42518 qualifications. Completing it gives you a formal credential that demonstrates your business management capabilities.