Supporting Queensland small businesses with free and practical digital skills

Running a small business can involve wearing many hats — managing customers, finances, marketing, admin, and planning all at once. Digital tools can help make this work easier and more efficient, but only when the skills behind them are practical, relevant, and realistic for day‑to‑day business life.

This Queensland Small Business Month, State Library of Queensland’s Digital and You program is supporting small businesses across the state through free workshops, online learning, and mentoring. 

Straight‑up digital skills and no tech jargon 

Delivered as part of State Library’s Regional Digital Development project, the focus is on skills that save time, reduce pressure and help business owners make confident decisions — without hype or overwhelming tech babble.

Michelle Carter, Director Digital Inclusion, says the workshops enable regional and remote businesses to access essential training in ways that suit their location, schedule, and stage of business. 

‘As digital tools continue to reshape how businesses operate, access alone is no longer enough — digital capability now plays a critical role in whether regional businesses can keep pace and compete,’ she said.

‘For regional small businesses, digital inclusion now underpins productivity, competitiveness, and long‑term momentum. When businesses are operating outside major centres — often with limited time, limited resources and long distances to customers and services — how effectively they use digital tools can directly affect whether they keep up or get left behind. 

‘Through the Digital and You program, we’re helping regional businesses use technology to work more efficiently, identify new opportunities and stay competitive — whether that’s through smarter marketing, streamlined systems, or exploring new digital possibilities.’

Tailored and ready-to-use AI skills

AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations — from drafting content and planning work to improving communication and managing information. For regional small businesses, the value of AI lies not in complexity, but in its ability to save time, reduce repetitive effort and support better decision‑making.

State Library is delivering an online ‘AI in the Outback’ series through May and June. The one-hour workshops focus on real‑world AI use rather than technical theory to help small business owners understand where AI tools can be useful, how to use them responsibly, and how to decide whether they are right for their business. There are also sessions tailored to older Australians, community groups and volunteers, and for general AI use. 

AI in the Outback – all sessions are delivered live online via Zoom:

• AI for small business
  Monday 11 May: 12–1 pm
  Thursday 28 May: 5:30–6:30 pm
• AI for volunteers and community groups
  Monday 18 May: 12–1 pm
  Tuesday 2 June: 5:30–6:30 pm

Check the Digital and You app for a list of all the AI sessions and book via Outlook.

Interested in attending a locally hosted online AI workshop? There may be a group session happening in your local community—register your interest to find out what’s available near you to learn alongside others.

Interested in hosting a session? Bring people together to learn, share ideas, build connections, and explore practical ways technology can support local businesses. You’ll need a suitable venue, screen or projector, and internet connection to log into the AI events. Register to host a group.

Intro to ChatGPT (Beginners)

Birdsville and Bedourie locals can also get an in-person AI intro as part of State Library’s ‘Digital Diamantina’ series. These friendly sessions break down how ChatGPT works and how to use it for writing, planning, learning, and everyday problem solving. The sessions are delivered in person and light refreshments are included. Some devices are provided or you can BYO.

• Wednesday 20 May: 9:30–11 am at Birdsville Community Hall
• Thursday 21 May: 9:30–11 am at Bedourie Community Hall

Book through the Digital and You app or direct with the council at admin@diamantina.qld.gov.au, phone 07 4746 1600.

Digital design, branding, and marketing made simpler

Clear communication and a strong visual presence are essential for small businesses, particularly when operating across large geographic areas or serving dispersed customer bases. A key focus of the Digital and You program is helping businesses simplify their approach to marketing and branding — without compromising professionalism.

State Library’s ‘Digital Power Hour’ is a series of fun and fast online workshops, designed to help small businesses, community groups, and individuals build practical digital skills in just one hour. Held on Sunday mornings, each workshop focuses on an essential skill, from Canva design techniques to digital marketing basics, templates, branding, event promotion, and more. 

Whether you’re running a small business, coordinating a community project, or upskilling for a career move, Digital Power Hour offers practical, easy-to-apply tools you can use straight away. 

Digital Power Hour - all sessions delivered live online via Zoom:

• Sunday 3 May: 10–11 am, Canva 101 for small business 
• Sunday 17 May: 10–11 am, Digital marketing strategy: simple plans for small business 
• Sunday 24 May: 10–11 am, Canva templates: saving time in small business 
• Sunday 31 May: 10–11 am, Canva templates: what they are & how to use them 
• Sunday 7 June: 10–11 am, Canva 101: getting started 
• Sunday 14 June: 10–11 am, Canva for events & community promotion 
• Sunday 21 June: 10–11 am, Canva like a pro: advanced features deep dive 
• Sunday 28 June: 10–11 am, Open lab / Q&A: bring your project

Book through the Digital and You app or via Eventbrite.

Build your own website

Having a simple, easy-to-navigate website can make a big difference in how your business connects with customers. These workshops are ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refresh an existing site, offering step-by-step guidance using Weebly to help you build or improve a basic website. Learn how to structure pages, add content, and manage updates so you can maintain an engaging online presence with ease.

Build your own website with Weebly – in person workshops

• Friday 8 May: 2–3:30 pm in Charleville
• Date to be confirmed in St George

Book through the Digital and You app or via Outlook.

Photography skills for stronger digital marketing

Enhance your business’s online presence and lift visual marketing through photography. Learn simple tricks to take more eye‑catching photos using your phone, tablet, or digital camera. These in-person workshops in Central West Queensland are perfect for small businesses and community groups.

All sessions are delivered in person. Bring your own fully charged phone, tablet, or digital camera. Light refreshments included:

• Tuesday 19 May: 5:30–6:30 pm at Birdsville Community Hall, Birdsville
• Wednesday 20 May: 5:30–6:30 pm at Bedourie Community Hall, Bedourie
• Thursday 21 May: 5:30–6:30 pm at Boulia Library, Boulia

Book through the Digital and You app or direct with Diamantina Regional Council for Birdsville and Bedourie at admin@diamantina.qld.gov.au, phone 07 4746 1600, and Boulia Library at library@boulia.qld.gov.au, phone 07 4746 2178. 

Sharpen up your social media skills

Learn how to break social media down into manageable, practical steps with State Library’s in person ‘Social Media in 60 Minutes (with a little help from ChatGPT)’ workshops. Rather than chasing trends or algorithms, these sessions support business owners to generate ideas more efficiently and build confidence posting online. Some devices are provided or you can BYO. Light refreshments are included.

• Wednesday 6 May: 12–1 pm at Longreach Library 
• Wednesday 6 May: 6–7 pm at Ilfracombe Council Chambers 
• Thursday 7 May: 12–1 pm at Isisford Council Chambers 
• Thursday 4 June: 12–1 pm at Aramac Library, Aramac 
• Thursday 4 June: 5:30–6:30 pm at The Willows Centre, Barcaldine 
• Friday 5 June: 12–1 pm at Jericho Town Hall, Jericho 

Register through the Digital and You appor via Eventbrite. 

One‑on‑one mentoring for small businesses

State Library and Mareeba Shire Council have partnered to offer free, one‑hour mentoring sessions for small business owners seeking tailored guidance during May.

The ‘May is for Mentoring’ sessions are available to Mareeba Shire businesses in person or online, offering a confidential, practical space to talk through challenges, test ideas and plan next steps with an experienced digital mentor. Sessions can cover a wide range of needs, including digital tools, marketing approaches, workflow improvements, prioritisation, or broader business planning.

This personalised support recognises that while workshops can build skills, mentoring helps businesses apply those skills in ways that make sense for their individual circumstances and local operating environments.

One hour, 1:1 in-person or online sessions are available between 9am and 4pm each day:

• Monday 18 May – Mount Molloy 
• Tuesday 19 May – Dimbulah & Chillagoe 
• Wednesday 20 May – Mareeba 
• Thursday 21 May – Kuranda 
• Friday 22 May – online (all Mareeba Shire locations) 

Book via the Digital and You app or the Calendly links above.

Explore new and emerging technologies

State Library’s Digital and You program also creates opportunities for regional businesses to explore emerging technologies and consider how they might be applied in local or industry‑specific contexts.

In addition to sessions running in the North-North West and South West Queensland regions during May, a further series of drone operation and 3D printing workshops is scheduled for Central West Queensland in June.

The ‘Outback Tech Lab’ workshops will provide hands‑on experiences, helping participants understand how to use 3D printing and drone technologies and how they can be applied to offer value to their business operations. 

Check out the Digital and You app for details coming soon!

Free support, delivered locally and online

By combining practical skills, flexible delivery, and a strong regional focus, the Digital and You program supports Queensland small businesses to improve productivity, remain competitive and identify new opportunities — now and into the future.

All the workshops and mentoring sessions are free to attend and designed for everyone, so no previous experience is needed. Bookings are essential due to limited places. 

Browse all the Digital and You workshops available online or in your area by downloading the Digital and You app. 

State Library’s Regional Digital Development project is supported by the Department of Customer Service, Open Data and Small and Family Business.