Self-employment start up payment

Before you apply

The list of what it actually pays for is unusually practical and it is the reason to look at this one: equipment for the business, initial start-up stock, materials to produce goods, renovating premises, connection fees for power, phone or internet, the first month’s lease and bond, legal costs of establishing the business, insurance, advertising and marketing start-up costs, printing business cards or flyers, and setting up a basic website.

For a kākahu label, a thrifting pakihi or anything selling online, that covers most of what actually stops people starting.

Sixteen is the minimum age here, not eighteen. Flexi-wage for self-employment starts at eighteen, so a rangatahi under eighteen can get this when they cannot get that.

Two exclusions: you cannot get it if you are bankrupt or restarting a business you have owned before.

No amount is published. It depends on your situation and your case manager works it out with you.

Your business plan goes away to be independently assessed for viability before this can be approved. If you do not have one, Work and Income will talk you through creating it, and the Business Training and Advice Grant can pay an expert to help — listed here. Ask about all three in the one call.