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Funding & Grants

Small Business Grants Australia 2025: Complete Guide

Published January 2025 • 14 min read

Australian governments at federal, state, and local levels offer billions of dollars in grants to small businesses each year. The challenge isn't whether grants exist - it's finding the right ones and successfully applying.

This guide covers where to find grants, what types are available, eligibility requirements, and how to submit winning applications.

$4B+
Available annually in Australian business grants

Types of Business Grants

Business grants in Australia generally fall into these categories:

Grant Type Purpose Typical Amount
Startup Grants New business establishment $5,000 - $50,000
Innovation/R&D Product development, technology $20,000 - $1M+
Export Grants International expansion $10,000 - $150,000
Training Grants Staff development, apprentices $1,000 - $20,000
Industry-Specific Agriculture, manufacturing, tech Varies widely
Sustainability Energy efficiency, environmental $5,000 - $100,000
Regional Regional and rural businesses $10,000 - $500,000
Disaster Recovery Flood, fire, COVID recovery $5,000 - $50,000

Federal Government Grants

Entrepreneurs' Programme

The federal government's flagship program for high-growth businesses includes:

  • Business Growth Grants: Co-funding for business improvement projects
  • Accelerating Commercialisation: Bringing new products to market
  • Innovation Connections: Linking businesses with researchers

R&D Tax Incentive

Up to 43.5% refundable tax offset

While technically a tax incentive rather than a grant, this provides significant cash back for eligible R&D activities. Small businesses (under $20M turnover) can receive a refundable offset, essentially functioning as a grant for R&D costs.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

Reimburses up to 50% of eligible export marketing expenses for businesses expanding internationally.

  • Amount: Up to $150,000 per year
  • Eligibility: Turnover less than $50M, Australian products/services
  • Expenses covered: Trade shows, marketing materials, overseas visits, samples

Indigenous Business Australia Grants

Funding specifically for Indigenous-owned businesses:

  • Business Development Assistance
  • Many Rivers Microfinance
  • State-based Indigenous business programs

State and Territory Grants

Each state and territory has its own grant programs. Here's an overview by state:

New South Wales

  • MVP Grant: Up to $25,000 for minimum viable products
  • TechVouchers: Up to $15,000 for tech collaboration with universities
  • Regional Job Creation Fund: Grants for regional business growth
  • Energy efficiency programs: Various rebates and grants

Victoria

  • Business Growth Fund: $50,000 - $250,000 for high-growth businesses
  • Technology Development Fund: Up to $500,000 for tech projects
  • Food Source Victoria: Grants for food and beverage manufacturing
  • Local Jobs First: For businesses in growth industries

Queensland

  • Business Growth Fund: $50,000 - $2.5M for high-growth businesses
  • Jobs and Regional Growth Fund: Regional business support
  • Made in Queensland: Manufacturing innovation grants
  • Small Business Grants: Various industry-specific programs

Western Australia

  • New Industries Fund: Diversification and new industries
  • Regional Economic Development Grants: For regional WA
  • Aboriginal Business Development: Indigenous business support

South Australia

  • Research, Commercialisation and Startup Fund: R&D and commercialisation
  • Economic Recovery Fund: Business growth support
  • Regional Growth Fund: For regional SA businesses

Tasmania

  • Business Development Support Program: Capacity building
  • Regional Jobs and Investment Fund: Regional employment focus
  • Tourism grants: For tourism operators

Northern Territory

  • Business Innovation Support: For new and growing businesses
  • Home Improvement Scheme: For trade businesses
  • Regional Economic Development Fund: Regional support

ACT

  • Innovation Connect: Grants for innovative projects
  • Business Energy and Water Program: Sustainability
  • Screen Canberra: For screen and creative industries
Note: Grant programs change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the relevant government department.

Local Council Grants

Many local councils offer small grants for local businesses. These are often smaller amounts ($1,000-$10,000) but have less competition.

  • Business improvement grants
  • Shopfront improvement schemes
  • Event sponsorship
  • Startup support
  • Sustainability incentives
Tip: Contact your local council's economic development team. They often know about grants that aren't widely advertised and can provide application support.

Industry-Specific Grants

Agriculture

  • Farm investment and innovation grants
  • Drought assistance programs
  • Sustainable farming initiatives
  • Value-adding and processing grants

Manufacturing

  • Modern Manufacturing Initiative
  • Supply Chain Resilience grants
  • Automation and robotics incentives

Technology

  • Accelerating Commercialisation grants
  • AI and emerging technology programs
  • Cybersecurity improvement grants

Tourism

  • Tourism infrastructure grants
  • Regional tourism support
  • Eco-tourism incentives

Where to Find Grants

Official Sources

  • business.gov.au: Federal government central resource
  • GrantConnect: Federal grant listings
  • State government websites: Each state has a business portal
  • Local council websites: Municipal grant programs

Grant Aggregators

  • GrantGuru: Australian grant matching service
  • Smarty Grants: Grant application platform
  • Grant Finder (CPA Australia): Member resource

Industry Associations

Your industry association often has grant information specific to your sector. They may also offer their own small grants or scholarships.

Grant Eligibility: Common Requirements

While specific requirements vary, most grants require:

Standard Eligibility Criteria:

  • Active ABN and operating in Australia
  • Meet size requirements (often turnover or employee limits)
  • Be solvent and financially viable
  • Not be in administration or bankruptcy
  • Up-to-date on tax and super obligations
  • Relevant business activity (industry/purpose match)
  • Ability to co-contribute (many grants require matching funds)

Co-Contribution Requirements

Most grants are not 100% funded. Typical structures include:

Funding Ratio Your Contribution Grant Covers
50:50 $10,000 $10,000
1:2 $10,000 $20,000
1:3 $10,000 $30,000
Important: You typically need to demonstrate you have your co-contribution available before applying. This might mean cash in the bank or confirmed financing.

How to Write a Winning Grant Application

Before You Apply

  1. Read the guidelines thoroughly: Every word matters in grant guidelines
  2. Check eligibility carefully: Don't waste time on grants you don't qualify for
  3. Understand the assessment criteria: Know how applications are scored
  4. Allow plenty of time: Good applications take weeks, not days
  5. Gather supporting documents: Financial statements, quotes, business plans

Writing the Application

  1. Answer every question directly: Address exactly what's asked, in the order asked
  2. Be specific and quantitative: "Increase sales by 25%" is better than "grow the business"
  3. Show alignment with grant objectives: Connect your project to what the program aims to achieve
  4. Demonstrate capability: Show you can deliver on what you're proposing
  5. Be realistic: Over-promising undermines credibility
  6. Proofread carefully: Errors suggest lack of attention to detail

Budget Tips

  • Only include eligible expenses (check guidelines carefully)
  • Get multiple quotes to justify costs
  • Show clear value for money
  • Include your co-contribution clearly
  • Build in contingency (10-15% where allowed)
Pro Tip: Many grants assess on "value for money" - it's not always about the cheapest quote, but about reasonable costs that deliver outcomes.

Common Application Mistakes

  1. Submitting at the last minute (systems crash, unexpected issues)
  2. Not following the format requirements
  3. Exceeding word limits
  4. Missing mandatory documents
  5. Assuming assessors know your industry
  6. Failing to address all selection criteria
  7. Vague or unmeasurable outcomes
  8. Not explaining how grant funds will be used

After You Apply

If You're Successful

  • Sign and return the funding agreement promptly
  • Understand all reporting requirements
  • Keep detailed records of all expenses
  • Deliver on milestones as promised
  • Be prepared for audits

If You're Unsuccessful

  • Request feedback (most programs offer this)
  • Learn what could be improved
  • Look for other suitable grants
  • Consider reapplying in the next round

Alternatives to Grants

If grants aren't suitable or you're unsuccessful, consider these alternatives:

Option Pros Cons
Government Loans Lower rates than commercial Must be repaid
R&D Tax Incentive Ongoing, reliable Only for eligible R&D
Angel Investment Mentorship included Give up equity
Venture Capital Large amounts available High-growth businesses only
Crowdfunding Market validation Requires strong campaign
Invoice Finance Based on receivables Fees apply

Grant Application Checklist

Complete Grant Checklist:

  • Verify eligibility against all criteria
  • Read full program guidelines
  • Understand assessment criteria and weightings
  • Prepare business plan or project plan
  • Gather financial statements (usually 2-3 years)
  • Get quotes for any purchases
  • Document co-contribution availability
  • Draft responses to all questions
  • Get feedback before submitting
  • Submit well before deadline
  • Keep copy of submission
  • Note assessment timeline

Track Your Grant Applications

Use BizziKit's free project management and dashboard tools to track your grant applications and deadlines.

Open Dashboard

Key Takeaways

  • Grants exist at all levels: Federal, state, local, and industry-specific
  • Start with eligibility: Don't waste time on grants you don't qualify for
  • Most require co-contribution: Budget for your share of costs
  • Follow instructions exactly: Grant guidelines are strict for a reason
  • Allow plenty of time: Good applications take weeks to prepare
  • Be specific and measurable: Quantify outcomes wherever possible
  • Keep excellent records: You may be audited
  • Learn from feedback: Unsuccessful applications inform future success
Final Tip: Sign up for grant alerts from business.gov.au and your state government. Many grants open and close quickly - being notified early gives you maximum preparation time.

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