Australia has maintained a solid reputation for having a great deal of capital available to entrepreneurs that are early in their business cycle as well as established entities. There are small business grants available everywhere in Australia. The way that the government makes the determination is through applicants applying through their local region or state within Australia.
When trying to ascertain which government grant is the ideal fit for your business, it is wise that you consider the information discussed below.
Small Business Grants – by Region, Grant Amount & Business Type in Australia – The Complete List
Find all the available government grants in Australia in our comprehensive list below. These grants are typically divided between the regions of the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Tasmania – some are applicable for more than one region and some aren’t – it’s all stated below.
You can view similar lists of the top business lender per region here:
Find a breakdown of the possible government grants for small businesses to obtain by territory and type for business owners:
Total Grants Listed : 65 ; Updated 2020
Startup Business Grants & Grants for Hiring Employees:
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
This grant allows those that are unemployed to receive government assistance to allow themselves to become business owners and self-employed. The amount of this grant varies on a case-by-case basis.
Territory Available:ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
This program allows Australian businesses with a paid for workspace for up to 90 days. This amount depends on the size and nature of the business that is developing.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
This grant allows for technology startups that are based in NSW to obtain funding of up to 35% of the value of the approved projects with a funding maximum that cannot exceed $100,000 AUD.
This grant is targeted at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the opportunity to get financing and training options to grow their businesses. The amount varies on the industry; however, companies have to have at least 50% owned by these underrepresented groups in order to be eligible.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
This provides those with low income backgrounds the opportunity to obtain an interest free loan of up to $3,000 AUD to support the expansion or start of their business.
For companies that are incorporated in NSW, this grant allows the opportunity to obtain funding of up to $15,000 AUD on the condition that they collaborate with a research partner from the Boosting Business Innovation Program (BBIP).
Become is a designated marketplace for small business loans. Small businesses with at least 9 months of trading requiring $5,000 to $100,000 can apply for a loan and be instantly approved.
SmallBusinessLoansAustralia.com recommends Become.co – but please note, this is note a government small business grant! You will receive your financing from an Australian approved lender and would have to repay it under the agreed terms.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
This small business grant is available for small businesses that are engaging in regional filming projects in NSW. There is up to $100,000 AUD available to cover production costs.
This program is targeted at low income individuals and provides them with the opportunity to get low interest loans up to $3,000 and up to $10,000 to purchase materials to make them competitive.
US-Australia International Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (AUSMURI):
This allows business ventures within Australian universities that satisfy the US MURI standards to obtain up to $3 million AUD in funding and expand their potential and business networks. Entries for 2020 funding set to open April 2020.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
For a startup that is approaching $10 million AUD in committed capital, this grant will assist with matching the business to foreign investors looking for venture capital opportunities.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Australia-China Science & Research Fund Joint Research Centers:
This grant is targeted at those in the biosciences industries that want to partner with China. For eligible entities, there is a possibility of obtaining up to $1 million AUD in startup research funding.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream:
Grants are available to organizations that want to improve the overall infrastructure of the Australian Capital Territory with potential amounts between $20,000 AUD to $10 Million AUD.
Territory Available:ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
For researchers that are located in South Australia, they are able to obtain up to $45,000 AUD of funding to research laser, optical fiber, and sensory technologies.
For businesses involved in science and innovation in Western Australia, there is a potential to receive funding for their ideas and innovations to expand and create jobs.
For startups that are attempting to enter the manufacturing sector, this grant will determine the industry and potential capital that will be given. It is absolutely worth applying for to cover those expensive startup costs.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS, VIC, WA
For local small businesses in Queensland, there is the potential to match funding of up to $5,000 AUD to access professional business development advice.
Two or more organizations are set to receive funding of up to $1 Million AUD to cover up to 50% of costs dedicated to job creation and helping businesses in Victoria grow.Variety of industries covered including Pharma, Food and Professional Services
Business Innovation Support Initiatives – Voucher Scheme:
For the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Design that are located in the Norther Territory, there is a grant of up to $30,000 AUD available to conduct research.
NSW/VIC-Israel Research and Development and Technological Program:
This grant allows for organizations from a wide span of industries to receive $250,000 AUD in matched funding if they partner with Israeli companies on research projects.
Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream:
This grant is for businesses that have interaction with underrepresented groups or that have a presence in remote areas. With this small business grant, it is possible to obtain $5,000 AUD to $10 million AUD in funding.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
For primary producers that are located in Queensland, there is an opportunity to receive $250,000 AUD with a 50% cash contribution requirement from participants.
Grants to realise big ideas for agriculture from young rural innovators. The Science Awards encourage young scientists, researchers and innovators with original projects that aim to keep Australia’s rural industries sustainable and profitable.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
For organizations that want to make positive contributions to infrastructure innovation or development in Victoria, then it is possible to have funding of up to $500,000 AUD.
For those artists and performing arts organizations that are ready to tour, there is a grant that covers up to 35% of their total income that can reach a maximum of $250,000 AUD to assist with the costs of touring throughout regional areas.
For businesses located in Tasmania, they can obtain funding up to $50,000 AUD if they improve the literacy and numeracy of their workers and promote a workplace that encourages literacy.
Scheme for assisting injured workers to return to work as soon as is practicable. Incentives may be payable to the host employer for up to 12 months. The amount paid will be 45% of average weekly earnings (AWE), or 50% of the wage payable for that employment, whichever is the lesser.
For companies located in Tasmania, it is possible to receive funding to create new markets both domestically and internationally. The amount depends on the particulars of the business.
For exporters that are trying to increase their international sales with up to 50% of promotional expenses, it is possible to do so if the expenses are between $15,000 AUD and $150,000 AUD.
Become is a designated marketplace for small business loans. Small businesses with at least 9 months of trading requiring $5,000 to $100,000 can apply for a loan and be instantly approved.
SmallBusinessLoansAustralia.com recommends Become.co – but please note, this is note a government small business grant! You will receive your financing from an Australian approved lender and would have to repay it under the agreed terms.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
This grant provides companies with the flexibility to conduct market research and test their business model with consumers with up to $25,000 AUD of funding.
Funding is available to support travel costs associated with attending recognised film festivals and pitching forums where an applicant’s film has been selected or invited to attend.
For organizations that are based in the Northern Territory, it is possible to have up to 50% of eligible international marketing costs funded by a grant.
This grant serves to assist businesses with the development and marketing of an innovative product or service with amounts between $125,000 AUD and $2.5 Million AUD.
For businesses based in Queensland, there is the potential to receive matched funding of up to $10,000 AUD to hire advisers for business growth and development.
This grant is targeted at businesses located in South Australia with the objective of providing up to $50,000 AUD to access new markets for exportation.
National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Program:
This grant allows for between $5,000 AUD and $1 Million AUD to fund projects that will lead to strengthening the ecosystems in Barndioota and Kimba in South Australia.
Advanced Manufacturing Market Expansion Program TAS:
This small business grant opportunity applies to companies in Tasmania that want to expand to global markets with funding up to $10,000 AUD to cover 50% of project costs to establish markets both internationally and domestically.
This opportunity provides organizations that organize competitive sporting or gaming events that bring competitors and supporters to Tasmania up to $7,000 AUD in support.
For companies based in Victoria, there is a potential to receive access to overseas business facilities and company advice in a quantity of up to $250 AUD per month.
For businesses that host events in Western Australia that showcase the cultures of the unique local communities, there is a potential to receive funding of up to $50,000 AUD.
For principal individuals in ACT businesses, there is a possibility to obtain unsecured loans of up to $3,000 AUD with a rate of 3% to allow for business growth.
For projects that contribute to the economic development of the Northern Territory, there is the potential to receive a 50% investment funding of project costs.
For businesses in the agricultural sector in Tasmania, there is up to $1.5 Million AUD available in low interest loans to develop the agricultural sector in Tasmania.
Become is a designated marketplace for small business loans. Small businesses with at least 9 months of trading requiring $5,000 to $100,000 can apply for a loan and be instantly approved.
SmallBusinessLoansAustralia.com recommends Become.co – but please note, this is note a government small business grant! You will receive your financing from an Australian approved lender and would have to repay it under the agreed terms.
Territory Available: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Allows both small and mid-size businesses in NSW to be reimbursed between $1,000 AUD and $50,000 to cover up to 50% of costs to install equipment that is necessary to encourage workplace recycling. Equipment financing is readily available here.
For commercial fishers and producers that are based in Queensland who can get loans of up to $1.3 Million AUD for implementing more sustainable practices.
For pastoralists with businesses in Western Australia, there is the option to obtain grants of up to $20,000 AUD every 10 years to improve water infrastructure and quality of life of livestock.
When trying to find additional funding for your business in Australia, it is important to start with the government SME grants. The reason for this is that the approval rates of these are far higher and their terms are better in terms of interest rates or most often no repayment at all. Many of these government grants for small businesses do not get funded because not enough business owners know to apply for them. Especially if you are a small to midsize business owner, check the grant page carefully for the best possible results. If you are a woman, minority group or veteran, check that box on your application.
These facts will put you in a particular pool of applications that will be considered closely. Once you take a moment to see what opportunities are available for businesses in a wide variety of industries. you will see that small business grants exist throughout Australia including business grants in NSW, QLD and Victoria. There is a real chance you can receive a government business grant from the Australian Government.
