How to Join NNA
The National NEIS Association Inc. (NNA) provides leadership and focus for NEIS Panel Members (formerly known as Managing Agents) in the development and delivery of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) and allied enterprise development activities throughout Australia. The primary purpose of the Association is to represent the interests of the Association members who support the movement of unemployed persons back into the workforce through self employment. The Association does this by ensuring that the services provided to the unemployed through the NEIS scheme are of the highest quality.
The NNA Executive is in regular contact with relevant Government Ministers and bureaucrats to represent member's views and to influence policy. Through extensive lobbying in the past year, the NNA was instrumental in the decision to retain the NEIS program under the new employment contract and through the work of our President has represented NEIS providers on the Transition Reference Group (TRG) in the lead up to the commencement of the new contract period.
We are proud to say that we have an excellent working relationship with the DEEWR NEIS team. During ESC3, the NNA was particularly active regarding:
• Lobbying for a contract roll-over for the top 80% of NEIS Providers
• Resolving areas of concern from the ESC3 NEIS contract, including the number of mentoring visits and the need to submit business plans to DEEWR
• Publication of NEIS success stories and promoting the NEIS program
• Lobbying for extra NEIS places for mature job-seekers
• Development of a Pre-NEIS package to be internet based on the DEEWR site and possibly at the Business Entry Point
• Providing assistance and advice to members in regards to AQTF audit requirements
• Lobbying for an increase in the fee paid to NEIS providers for delivery of NEIS
• Improving the “usability” of EA3000, facilitating a teleconference of NEIS administrators and DEWR IT staff with the aim of improving EA3000
In the past year, the NNA has been extremely active in lobbying for the retention of the NEIS program and:
• Put forth the model of NEIS being included under the Productivity Places Program
• Successfully argued, in conjunction with the Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA) that Small Business Management Skills should be added to the skills shortage list
• Sought, on behalf of members, the definition of Skills Shortage in relation to self-employment options (NEIS)
• Through participation of our President in the TRG has had input into the policy and procedures surrounding the new employment contract.
In the next year the National NEIS Association will be focused on:
• Assisting members and Job Service Australia (JSA) Providers to adapt to the new contract procedures in relation to NEIS
• Mentor and assist new NEIS panel members to deliver NEIS to their ESAs
• Promotion of the program (in conjunction with DEEWR)
• Promotion of a Self Employment Development package as a pre-cursor to NEIS for JSA Providers to utilise
• Formulation of star-ratings and KPI weightings
Contracted NEIS Panel members, are welcome to join the Association. The NNA offers a wide range of member services, including:
• Regular Bulletin featuring NEIS success stories
• Comprehensive website with exclusive members area including a forum for discussions
• Representation of NEIS providers in all states and territories
• Annual National Conference in alliance with BIIA and BEC Australia (NNA members benefit from discounted conference registration)
• Representation of members views directly to Government
• Actively addressing NEIS Specific issues
• Government recognition as the representative body for NEIS providers
• Facilitation of information flow to and from Government
• Provision of input to Government policy and decision making processes in the development of NEIS
• Liaison with other associated industry bodies such as NESA.
• Discounted products including resource materials and insurance for Managing Agents and their Clients.
• Membership structure caters for organisations of all sizes
• The NNA is a not for profit organization. All funds raised are used to directly benefit the members.
The NNA has formed a number of strategic alliances which provide benefits for NNA members and their clients. Among our current alliance partners are:
• AAMI Business Insurance. AAMI Business Insurance is once again the proud sponsor of the National NEIS Association Business Awards. These awards recognise NEIS businesses and a worker in the NEIS arena – and are open to clients of NNA members.
• My Business. Through our links with BEC Australia, NNA members can access My Business Magazines for their clients for the cost of freight only.
• National Australia Bank MicroEnterprise Plus Loans. Designed specifically for businesses who would not be eligible for a normal banking loan product, the Microenterprise Plus loan provides loans of between $500 and $20,000 (paid back at a low interest rate over three years) to NEIS businesses whose business plan has been accepted by DEEWR. NNA members receive a payment for assisting businesses with their business plan (especially those who have been in business for a period and need to review their plan and financial projections) and for four mentoring sessions over the first year of the loan. These mentoring sessions are in addition to those provided under the NEIS contract.
Additional Alliance partners are continually being sought to benefit the Association and our clients.
NNA membership runs from financial year to financial year. Fees are calculated on the ESAs for which an organisation has been contracted to deliver NEIS. There is no joining fee to join the NNA.
A number of our members have been delivering the NEIS program successfully since the inception of the program and this experience is freely shared, especially when it comes to reviewing documentation and changes to the program proposed by DEEWR. Membership to the NNA is of benefit to your organisation – think of the fee as an investment – we guarantee the information we provide our members will be worthwhile.
If you have any queries about membership, please do not hesitate to contact our administration officer, Paula Beare on phone 1300 3 NEIS 3 (1300 363 473) or email nna@nna.asn.au.