NEIS helps Dang grow fruitful business

Dang, Mission Australia Business 

Manager Jillian and DEEWR Contract 

Manager Rob Hudson.

There’s a world of difference between running a seafood restaurant in bustling Bangkok and growing tropical fruit and vegetables in Humpty Doo, 40 kilometres south-east of Darwin.

Just ask Phatchathorn Khammathit, or Dang, as she prefers to be called.

“When I arrived I did not speak English and there was no transportation,” Dang explained. “I got casual jobs at the nearby farms picking mangoes, pawpaws, jackfruit and dragon fruit.

The work was seasonal but I learned to pick and pack the fruit. During the past six years I have learned all facets of operating a farm.”

Dang discovered there was a gap in the market: ‘There is always a short supply of the highest-quality chillies and eggplant varieties. This is true all year round, but especially during the Dry Season when it is too cold in capital cities down south to grow the fruit and vegetables. Buyers will pay the higher price if the produce is of the highest quality.’

With help from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) program, operated in Darwin by Mission Australia, Dang has started her own small business.

“Historically, I had operated a small business enterprise in my native Thailand. Hence I had an overall understanding of running a small business. But I still had trouble with the small business course because I cannot read English. So an interpreter was arranged for me and, with her help, I passed the course.”

“I now rent a small farm and have started supplying the market with the best-quality fruit and vegetables. My primary objective is to achieve self-sufficiency with income earned from operating a successful business.”

Dang is one of over 6,000 job seekers in Australia each year who are assisted by the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme to help establish viable small businesses. NEIS involves completing a three-month accredited training course in small business. During this time, the job seeker prepares a business plan.

Once approved, the job seeker is able to start their own business. Support is provided by professional consultants, who offer guidance with marketing, finance and government regulations.

Importantly, the job seeker continues to receive their income support for the first 12 months while the business is being established.

Start your own business
Each year Mission Australia helps hundreds of Australian job seekers like Dang to start their own businesses. To learn more visit our Employment Solutions website.