Grants and allowances for small businesses
These grants, rebates and allowances at a national and state or territory level could assist small businesses with their growth or expansion plans.
At a glance
Here’s a snapshot of the article insights:
- Small businesses have access to a range of grants, rebates and professional advice services.
- The majority of grants and rebates require a business to be registered for GST and have an ABN.
- Remember to check the eligibility requirements for any grant or service you apply for.
- The grants on this page could change at any time, so be sure to check the relevant website for the most up-to-date information.
Grants, rebates and allowances may be available at a national and state or territory level to assist Australian small businesses with growth or expansion plans. Here’s a breakdown of some of those grants.
Note: This article was originally published in August 2022, but has now been updated with new information in the interests of currency.
Australia-wide
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Energy Incentive | 20% deduction on spending that supports energy efficiency | Annual turnover of less than $50 million |
| Advancing Renewables Program | Matched funding of up to $50 million | Investment in renewable technology |
| NewAccess for Small Business Owners | Free and confidential coaching | Small business owners not currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist |
The Small Business Energy Incentive, proposed ahead of this year’s Federal Budget, aims to help small businesses with the upfront costs of investing in energy-efficient equipment. The measure will provide businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million with an additional 20% deduction on spending that supports electrification and more efficient use of energy.
Meanwhile, the Advancing Renewables Program provides businesses looking to undertake renewable energy projects matched funding of between $100,000 and $50 million. The scheme aims to fund projects from businesses that invest in renewable energy technology.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a mental health coaching program developed by Beyond Blue which provides free and confidential assistance to small business owners. Business owners currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist, or currently dealing with complex mental health issues, are not eligible.
Search for more grants and opportunities here.
New South Wales
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Women in Business | Subsidised online training | Fewer than 200 employees |
| SafeWork small business rebate | Up to $1,000 | Fewer than 50 full-time employees |
| Regional Skills Relocation Grant | Up to $12,500 | Creating 5+ full-time jobs in regional NSW |
Women across the state of New South Wales who wish to start up or grow their business can look into the fully subsidised Women in Business online program. As part of the training program, participants receive access to small business events and resources, and insights from female entrepreneurs.
Grants of up to $1,000 are open to improve the work health and safety of workers under the SafeWork small business rebate. This rebate is applicable for small business owners who employ fewer than 50 full-time workers.
The Regional Skills Relocation Grant aims to fill vacancies in regional areas by providing up to $12,500. To be eligible, businesses must be relocating to or setting up in, or already located in, regional NSW and creating at least five new ongoing full-time equivalent jobs. Eligibility is also based on industry.
Search for more NSW grants and opportunities here.
Victoria
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Ready for Growth | Free, tailored advisory services | More than four and fewer than 200 employees, and being in operation in for at least three years |
| Digital Jobs program | $5,000 wage subsidy | Be an entity operating in Victoria |
| Wellbeing and Mental Health Support | Free access to financial counsellors | Small business owners in Victoria |
Are you ready for growth? The Victorian Government is fostering growth among local businesses by providing tailored advisory services from expert growth facilitators to 1,000 business owners. The scheme aims to assist businesses in breaking into new markets, develop their growth capacity, and improve networks with fellow business leaders.
The Digital Jobs program, which is upskilling 5,000 mid-career workers, could assist businesses aiming to benefit from digitisation. A wage subsidy of $5,000 is available for businesses for each 12-week work placement or entry-level job offered to a participant from the program.
Owners have been doing it tough and finding innovative ways to move forward in a high-stress environment, which is why the State Government also has a mental health and wellbeing service for business owners. Free access to financial counsellors and business advisers is available as part of this service.
Search for more Victoria grants and opportunities here.
Queensland
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Female Founders Co-Investment Fund | Between $50,000 and $200,000 | Female-founded and 50% female ownership at time of application |
| Back to Work | Up to $20,000 | Hire an eligible unemployed jobseeker from identified target groups |
Advance Queensland’s Female Founders Co-Investment Fund provides funding between $50,000 and $200,000 (matched at a 3:1 ratio across 12 months) for female-founded businesses at the point of incorporation that also have more than 50% female ownership at the time of application.
As part of the Back to Work program, employers that hire an eligible unemployed jobseeker from the identified target groups can access up to $15,000, or up to $20,000 if the employee is aged 15-24.
Search for more QLD grants and opportunities here.
Australian Capital Territory
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Connect ACT | Matched funding between $10,000 and $30,000 | Annual turnover of less than $2 million |
| Accelerating Commercialisation | Advice and assistance from an expert consultant | Evidence of an ability to fund at least 50 per cent of eligible project expenditure |
Matched funding of between $10,000 and $30,000 is available to technology-focused start-ups and entrepreneurs in Canberra to develop innovative products and services under the Innovation Connect ACT program.
Eligible businesses, which must have an annual turnover of less than $2 million, can use the support to:
- Develop a product prototype or functional software
- Develop a formal marketing strategy
- Obtain professional advice for IP, patenting, legal and other matters
The Sustainable Business Program offers a range of rebates and incentives for small businesses intending to increase energy efficiency and cut running costs.
Through the program, business owners can:
- Book a free assessment of their energy and water efficiency
- Work with experts to develop an action plan
- Become an accredited Sustainable Business
- Access a maximum rebate of $10,000 across energy and water efficiency upgrades
Search for more ACT grants and opportunities here.
South Australia
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Seed-Start program | Funding for the commercialisation of a product or service | Annual turnover of less than $1 million |
| Business Growth Program | Partially subsidised program entry | Between 5-199 employees |
The Seed-Start program allows eligible start-ups to fund the commercialisation of a unique product or service – one with “a sustainable competitive advantage” in the market. Depending on the business’s stage of development, there is grant funding of up to $500,000 and matched funding, for up to three years, available.
The Business Growth Program, delivered by the UniSA’s Australian Centre for Business Growth, offers partially subsidised assessment clinics and growth programs for SA-based companies with 5-199 employees.
Business owners signing up to the assessment clinic, for example, receive a $3,000 discount on the entry fee. As part of the program, owners learn from experts about what happens at different business growth stages, how leadership changes at each stage and how to develop a business growth plan.
Search for more SA grants and opportunities here.
Western Australia
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Small and Medium Business Recovery Grants | Up to $75,000 | Businesses affected by Tropical Cyclones Ellie or Ilsa |
| Aboriginal Arts Commissioning Fund | $300,000 | Aboriginal artists in regional Western Australia |
Recovery grants are available to assist businesses in clean-up and reinstatement following Tropical Cyclones Ellie and Ilsa in early 2023. Up to $50,000 is available for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 full-time employees) and $75,000 for eligible medium businesses (between 20-199 full-time employees).
Aboriginal small business owners or sole traders may take interest in the Aboriginal Arts Commissioning Fund, which aims to support Aboriginal artists in regional Western Australia by offering $300,000 to support the direct costs of commissioning, developing and producing a new large-scale work.
Successful applicants will be required to present the project within two years of funding approval, with the launch of the work within Western Australia.
Search for more WA grants and opportunities here.
Tasmania
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program | Between $1,000 and $1,500 to obtain financial or business guidance services | Applicants must nominate a service provider and provide an itemised quote |
| 26TEN Workplace Grants | Between $5,000 and $50,000 | Projects that improve the reading, writing or maths skills of employees |
The Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program offers business owners between $1,000 and $1,500 to obtain financial or business guidance services.
26TEN Workplace Grants aims to support businesses to organise projects that improve the literacy and numeracy of employees. Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 are available, and at least 50% of projects must work to improve the reading, writing or maths skills of participants.
Search for more Tasmania grants and opportunities here.
Northern Territory
| Grant or allowance | Grant amount | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Business Growth Program | Up to $10,000 | Annual turnover of between $75,000 and $10 million |
| Aboriginal Workforce Grants | Various | Employment of Aboriginal employees |
The Northern Territory’s Business Growth Program should be the first stop for Territory small businesses. Small and medium businesses with an annual turnover of more than $75,000 can apply for up to $10,000 based on a 50/50 co-contribution for initiatives that develop the business in any of the following categories:
- Strategy
- Marketing
- Operations
- Finance
- People and culture
Workforce grants may also be available for projects that support the employment and professional development of Aboriginal people. Eligible projects must include elements such as structured mentoring, on-site support and, in some cases, transport and/or accommodation.
Search for more NT grants and opportunities here.
Remember to check the eligibility requirements for any grant or service you apply for. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy as at the time of publication, the information on this page might change at any time.
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