Insights
Where can a Perth business get AI advice without paying a consultant?
Perth business owners can get AI advice from six free or low-cost sources: SBDC advisers, Digital Solutions coaching, the AI Information Line, the SBDC's AI guide and workshops, National AI Centre events, and local council sessions. Costs run from free to a small fee. Eligibility differs by source.
What are the six sources?
Each source below is government-funded or government-run. The table shows what you get, what it costs and who can use it.
| Source | Cost | Format | Who can use it | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBDC business advisory service | Free | Phone or Microsoft Teams. In-person appointments are no longer available | Small businesses in WA. Not-for-profits, charities, farms and private schools contact Consumer Protection | 133 140 |
| Digital Solutions, WA provider BUSY Business | Workshops and webinars free. Up to 5 hours of coaching for a small fee | Online and in person | Fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff, and sole traders. Active ABN. Based in QLD, NT or WA | 07 2141 4025, digitalsolutions@busybusiness.com.au |
| AI Information Line, run by SMEC AI | Free for eligible SMEs | Phone, with an AI voice agent and a text message summary | Australian SMEs, typically fewer than 200 staff and revenue below $50 million | 1800 517 403 |
| SBDC AI guide, self-assessment checklist and workshops | Guide and checklist free. Workshops low cost | Download. Online and in-person workshops | Any WA business owner | smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/digital/artificial-intelligence |
| National AI Centre events | Varies by event | Online and in person | Varies by event | ai.gov.au/news-and-insights/events |
| Local councils | Varies | In person | Local businesses | Your council's business page |
What does the SBDC offer on AI?
The SBDC offers free business advice and a free AI guide, and it runs low-cost AI workshops. Advisers have run or currently run their own businesses. The SBDC's AI page also links a self-assessment checklist and the National AI Centre's AI policy template. Call 133 140 or book a Teams or phone appointment.
Past SBDC workshop titles included ChatGPT for productivity and content, generative AI for marketing, and an introduction to Microsoft Copilot. Those events had already passed when I checked. Look at the SBDC workshops page for current dates. The SBDC lists the advisory areas as including marketing, financial management, business structures and business planning.
What does Digital Solutions offer?
Digital Solutions gives free workshops, webinars and self-directed tutorials. The topics include AI and emerging technologies, using business software, digital marketing and cybersecurity. One-on-one coaching of up to 5 hours costs a small fee. Business.gov.au dated this page 3 July 2026 and lists BUSY Business as the WA provider.
More than 17,000 small businesses had used the program by 21 July 2026, according to the National AI Centre. They received over 37,000 hours of coaching.
What does the AI Information Line do?
The AI Information Line gives general AI information by phone. An AI voice agent asks about your business and challenges, then texts you a summary with possible next steps. The National AI Centre states the information is general and is not professional advice. You can ask to speak to a person at SMEC AI.
SMEC AI also offers a free 45-minute one-on-one consultation for eligible SMEs. A short written summary follows. SMEC AI states eligibility is typically fewer than 200 staff and revenue below $50 million. Other sectors are considered, according to SMEC AI.
What do local councils offer?
Several Perth-area councils and libraries have hosted AI sessions for local businesses. Listings from 2025 and 2026 show the City of Swan with Business Foundations, the City of Belmont, the Shire of Mundaring libraries, the City of Cockburn and the City of Subiaco, which promoted BUSY Business workshops. Check your own council's business page for the next session.
How do you prepare for a free session?
Free sessions return more when you arrive with specifics. Prepare four items.
- One task you want help with. Use the first-task scoring method.
- The tools you already use. List your email, accounting and document software.
- The data involved. Note whether it includes client names, financial data or personal information.
- Your question for the adviser. Ask what is free, what costs money and what happens after the session.
When does paid help make sense?
Paid help makes sense when you need someone to build or run the work with you. Free government services give advice, training and general information. They do not build your workflows. Read how to pick an AI consultant before you pay anyone.
Disclosure: Clockwise sells AI consulting. The Clockwise Intensive is a one-on-one 60-minute session on operational bottlenecks and AI implementation. It costs $550 AUD, and you can book it here.
Book the Clockwise Intensive →
Frequently asked questions
Is there free in-person AI advice in Perth?
The SBDC no longer offers in-person advisory appointments. Free in-person AI workshops have run through Digital Solutions providers and councils in the Perth area. Check the ai.gov.au events listing and your council's business page for the next session.
Can I get free AI advice if I have more than 20 staff?
The SBDC advisory service covers small businesses in WA. Digital Solutions covers fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff. SMEC AI states a typical limit of fewer than 200 staff for its free support. Confirm your position with each service before you book.
About the author
Megan Hogan is the founder of Clockwise and works as a fractional COO inside small to medium businesses. She spent seven years at Optus and has led customer experience transformation and AI-enabled contact centre implementation.
Editorial standards
Program details come from the program's own pages and government websites. Each fact carries the date it was checked. Costs and eligibility change, so confirm with the provider. This article is general information.
Sources and dates
All checked 29 October 2026 unless stated.
- SBDC, Business advisory service. Copyright 2026. https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/business-advisory-service
- SBDC, Artificial intelligence. Copyright 2026. https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/digital/artificial-intelligence
- business.gov.au, Digital Solutions. Page dated 3 July 2026. https://business.gov.au/expertise-and-advice/digital-solutions-australian-small-business-advisory-services
- BUSY Business, Digital Solutions for QLD, NT and WA. Undated, service starts 1 July 2026. https://www.busyatwork.com.au/busy-business-to-deliver-digital-solutions-program-for-small-businesses-across-qld-nt-and-wa/
- National AI Centre, Helping small businesses thrive with digital skills. 21 July 2026. https://www.ai.gov.au/news-and-insights/blog/helping-small-businesses-thrive-digital-skills
- National AI Centre, Got questions about AI? Now there's a number you can call. 22 July 2026. https://www.ai.gov.au/news-and-insights/blog/got-questions-about-ai-now-theres-number-you-can-call
- SMEC AI, Services, Is SMEC AI free and Who is eligible. Undated, checked 24 October 2026. https://www.smecai.au/
- Event listings: SBDC workshops on Humanitix (2025 events), ai.gov.au events (City of Swan and Business Foundations, 18 June 2026), Shire of Mundaring (13 October 2025), City of Cockburn, City of Subiaco. https://www.ai.gov.au/news-and-insights/events