Workspace Australia
Date: 23 April 2024
Workspace Australia Ltd is a registered charity established in 1998 to improve employment opportunities throughout regional Victoria. Originally located at Halford Street in Castlemaine, an additional site was officially opened by The Hon Maree Edwards MP this year at the former Castlemaine Secondary College campus on Etty Street.
We met with CEO Rebecca Dempsey, and Mentor and Support Merv Rushton, recently.
Can you explain what Workspace is and what it does?
It's the largest business incubator provider in Australia, operating small business centres that offer factory and office spaces at affordable prices, along with free mentoring and advice. The organisation operates seven sites across regional Victoria located in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Donald, Dunolly, Eaglehawk and Gisborne. Over the last seven years Workspace has maintained a 91% success rate for small businesses succeeding in the first three years of operation, compared to the national average of only 40%.
What is happening at the former Castlemaine Secondary College campus on Etty Street?
Workspace has now completed Stage 1 of development works at the former Castlemaine Secondary College, having fully refurbished the former administration and science buildings. Regional Victoria's first ever commercial kitchen incubator space has been created on the ground floor of the former science building, with space for up to eight kitchens. The first floor of this building has been developed into 15 offices spaces ranging from 10sqm to 24sqm. The former administration building has been completely refurbished to accommodate a further 19 businesses. All spaces are now fully accessible, and feature state-of-the-art security and internet capabilities.
What kind of businesses can join the Workspace Incubator program, and is it only for start-ups?
To qualify for a space a business must be either a start-up, a business currently operating from home or a business relocating from another shire.
What spaces do you have available at the moment?
The Etty Street site currently has available one commercial kitchen space and 14 office spaces ranging from 10sqm to 24sqm. Various spaces still remain available at the Halford Street premises that range in size from 10sqm to 50sqm.
How long can a business stay at Workspace? What does it mean to ‘graduate’?
A business can stay for a period of five years. After this time, it is expected that they will then graduate from the centre, allowing another business the same opportunity they have been provided. A business has graduated when it has leased, purchased or built commercial space. The list of successful local businesses to have graduated from Workspace is long, and includes businesses like Coffee Basics, Goldfields Beauty Therapy, Tarrangower Times, Pud and Castlemaine Osteopathy.