Small business grants

Small Business, Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant

Amount available

Between $5,000 and $10,000.

What is the funding for?

The New South Wales state government is giving small businesses, hospitality and tourism businesses across NSW grants from $5,000 up to $10,000. This grant applies to businesses affected by the lockdown starting 26 June 2021. The grants are intended to help businesses alleviate cash flow constraints and pay for expenses like rent, utilities and wages.

The grants are available across NSW, including regional areas. This is to ensure that regional businesses, which would have received income during the school holidays, are also covered.

Who's eligible?

If your business has experienced a decline in turnover, you can apply for these grants. Amounts will vary depending on the percentage of decline. Businesses can expect:

• $10,000 for a 70% decline
• $7,000 for a 50% decline
• $5,000 for a 30% decline

Further details about this grant

City of Sydney "Quick Response" Grant

Amount available

Up to $5,000.

What is the funding for?

To help individuals and organisations through the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney is releasing $500,000 in quick response grants. This is in addition to the federal COVID-19 responses.

The NSW government provides these grants in two categories:

1. Event representation and emergency support
   • Sporting or events representation up to $500 per year per individual or up to $2,000 per team.
   • Essential emergency project support funding up to $2,000 per year.
2. Strategic priorities
   • Support of up to $2,000 per year in matched funding.

These are rolling grants, meaning that there is no application deadline. Grants will only end once the budget is exhausted.

Who's eligible?

• If your business has been affected by COVID-19 you can find out if you're eligible here.

Further details about this grant

TechVouchers NSW

Amount available

A voucher worth up to $15,000 that can be used at any eligible partner. Businesses are able to match the applicable voucher amount in cash and in-kind.

What is the funding for?

This program aims to increase collaboration between NSW's SMEs, as well as research organisations and universities that are participants of the Boosting Business Innovation Program.

Who's eligible?

Businesses with:

• Under 200 employees
• Less than $30 million in annual turnover
• More than a year in trading

Further details about this grant

Minimum Viable Product NSW

Amount available

Up to $25,000 to cover up to 50% of the approved project costs.

What is the funding for?

Startups in NSW looking to get their product or service off the ground with proof-of-concept consumer testing may be able to benefit from this grant.

Who's eligible?

Companies must:

• Be pre-revenue with a proof-of-concept ready to test
• Be able to demonstrate that at least 80% of the development costs will occur in NSW

Further details about this grant

Bin Trim Rebates Program

Amount available

A rebate of between $1,000 and $50,000.

What is the funding for?

This program is run by the Environmental Protection Agency in NSW. It aims to increase workplace recycling by offering rebates to SMEs that install recycling equipment. It's also available to small-scale recyclers managing SME waste in NSW.

Who's eligible?

SMEs which:

• Are located in NSW
• Have up to 399 employees
• Have implemented/are implementing on-site recycling equipment

Further details about this grant

Building Partnerships NSW

Amount available

Grants of up to $100,000 to help cover project costs.

What is the funding for?

This program offers to cover up to 35% of the cost of new pilot projects and new marketing partnerships.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Be tech-focused
• Be located in NSW
• Own the rights to commercialise your technology

Further details about this grant

LaunchVic

Amount available

Unspecified

What is the funding for?

This is the state government's agency for supporting startups and innovative SMEs in Victoria. In 2015 it was given $60 million in the state budget to help fund local startups.

The fund provides the funding and tools necessary to bolster the skills of startup founders and promote inclusion and diversity. The goal of the project is to mould the startup ecosystem in Victoria into one that is internationally recognised. The agency recently closed round 8 of its funding.

Who's eligible?

Different rounds of funding tend to focus on different industry sectors. However, the industry the grant is focussing on is currently unspecified.

Further details about this grant

Regional Jobs Fund & Stronger Regional Communities Plan

Amount available

It varies, but usually up to $50,000.

What is the funding for?

This $500 million fund supports businesses in creating more jobs in regional and rural parts of the state across the streams of investment attraction, innovation and productivity, employment, market access and skills development.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must be undertaking activities to make or keep rural and regional jobs in Victoria.

Further details about this grant

Future Industries Manufacturing Program

Amount available

Up to $500,000.

What is the funding for?

This grant looks to help Victorian manufacturers to hire more employees, improve productivity, invest in growth and purchase new technologies.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Be based in Victoria
• Be in the manufacturing industry
• Have the capital to match $3 to every $1 granted through the program

Further details about this grant

Small Business Adaption Grant Program – Round 2

Note: This grant is now only available to businesses based in regional Queensland.

Amount available

Up to $10,000.

What is the funding for?

This is the second round of funding from the Queensland government that aims to support small businesses subject to closure or highly impacted by COVID-19.

Up to $100 million is being made available, $50 million of which is specifically earmarked for regional small businesses located outside of South East Queensland.

These are rolling grants, meaning that there is no application deadline. Grants will only end once the budget is exhausted.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must have:

• Been subject to closure/highly impacted by shutdown restrictions announced
• Experienced a minimum 30% decline since 23 March 2020, over a minimum 1-month period as a direct result of COVID-19
• Fewer than 20 employees
• An ABN (active as at 23 March 2020)
• Registered for GST
• Be based in Queensland
• An annual turnover over $75,000 for the 2018–19 or 2019–20 financial year (you can also provide financial records that show this will be met for recently started small businesses)
• A payroll of less than $1.3 million
• Not been declared insolvent or have owners or directors that are an undischarged bankrupt

Further details about this grant

Back to Work South East Queensland

Amount available

Up to $20,000.

What is the funding for?

This fund aims to improve employment opportunities for elderly, young and long-term unemployed citizens by offering businesses that employ them payments of up to $20,000.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Have a proven and reputable track record in employing people
• Demonstrate a "genuine commitment to ongoing employment of the employee"

This grant is only offered in the following regions:

• Wide Bay Burnett
• North Queensland
• Far North Queensland
• Mackay/Whitsunday
• Central Queensland
• North West Queensland
• South West Queensland

As well as in the following South East Queensland local government areas:

• Ipswich
• Lockyer Valley
• Logan
• Moreton Bay
• Scenic Rim
• Somerset

Further details about this grant

Business Development Fund QLD

Amount available

Between $125,000 and $2.5 million.

What is the funding for?

As a fairly standard form of funding, The Business Development Fund provides funding to businesses that are developing or commercialising an innovative product or service.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Find a co-investor who agrees to match the funding
• Be prepared for both the co-investor and the fund to become business shareholders

Further details about this grant

$10,000 Emergency Cash Grants for Small Businesses

Amount available

Up to $10,000.

What is the funding for?

To support small businesses and not-for-profits who have been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant is being funded from the state government's $650 million Jobs Rescue Package. This is a rolling grant, so there is no application deadline. Grants will only end once the budget is exhausted.

Who's eligible?

All businesses must:

• Have an active ABN
• Be based in South Australia and have been carrying out business operations in SA as at 30 September 2020
• Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST) in either 2018-19 or 2019-20
• Have been participating in the Commonwealth Government's extended JobKeeper Payment scheme from 28 September 2020
• Not engage in illegal activity

Businesses with employees must:

• Employ people in South Australia as at 30 September 2020
• Have total Australian payroll of less than $1.5 million in either 2018-19 or 2019-20
• Not be entitled to a payroll tax waiver or deferral under COVID-19 support measures introduced by the South Australian Government

Businesses with no employees must:

• Be operating from a commercial premise
• Not employ people in South Australia as at 30 September 2020

Further details about this grant

Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grant

Amount available

Up to $50,000.

What is the funding for?

This grant offers financial assistance to bushfire-affected small businesses located in Yorketown, Cudlee Creek, Kangaroo Island and Keilira. Successful applicants in these areas can access funds to cover costs associated with clean-up, restoration and rebuilding.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Be located within the bushfire-affected regions
• Have suffered direct damage to premises and/or tools of trade
• Have a valid active ABN
• Employ less than 20 full-time employees

Further details about this grant

Small Business Emergency Support Grant Round 2

Amount available

Up to $2,500.

What is the funding for?

This second round of Emergency Support Grants from the Tasmanian government aims to support businesses that are struggling with financial hardship.

There is no deadline for applications. Grants will only end once the budget is exhausted.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Be based in Tasmania
• Have not received funding under the first round of Emergency Support Grants

Further details about this grant

ACT Microcredit Loan Program

Amount available

• Interest-free: Up to $3,000
• Low interest: $3,000 to $10,000

What is the funding for?

Not strictly a grant, this government-funded support is a form of interest-free or low interest loan.

Low-income earners looking to start a business, or for cash flow assistance for their existing business, can receive interest-free loans of up to $3,000, or low-interest loans of up to $10,000, to purchase new company equipment.

Who's eligible?

You must:

• Have an established or semi-established business in the ACT
• Have a combined family income of under $75,000

Further details about this program

Small Business Survival Fund

Amount available

$2,000 to $50,000 (plus additional cash boosts and support payments).

What is the funding for?

The Jobs Rescue and Recovery plan's Small Business Survival Fund is a $50 million initiative aimed at supporting small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19, and helping them to survive the physical distancing requirements response to the pandemic.

There is no application deadline for this support. Grants will only end once the budget is exhausted. Sole traders and corporate entities may apply.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Have had their turnover, staffing levels, etc, adversely affected by restrictions put in place by the government
• Agree to use funds for an "approved purpose"
• Be operating in a defined industry sector (visit business.nt.gov.au/recovery for more details of eligible sectors)
• Comply with the NT Government's "Buy Local" policy requirements

Further details about this grant

Regional Economic Development Fund + Trade Support Scheme

Amount available

Up to 50% of a project.

What is the funding for?

The Regional Economic Development Fund and the Trade Support Scheme offer to cover up to 50% of a business's costs for both local economic development and international marketing activities.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Show plans for a practical project designed to benefit the state and its people, while providing local employment, OR
• If looking abroad, demonstrate that the project will bring trade and economic benefits to the Northern Territory
• Have the capital required to back up the remaining percentage of their project

Further details about this grant

Indigenous Business Development Program NT

Amount available

Up to $30,000.

What is the funding for?

Indigenous business owners in the NT can receive funding to help start or continue growing their business, as well as creating new employment and developing new skills.

Who's eligible?

To be eligible you must:

• Be a resident of NT
• Have a business that is at least 50% Aboriginal owned and operated, and is based and registered in the NT

Applications must show commitments where appropriate from indigenous land councils.

Further details about this grant

Export Market Development Grant

Amount available

• Up to 50% of eligible promotion expenses above a threshold of $5,000, provided that their total expenses amount to more than $15,000.
• Eligible applicants can receive up to 8 grants, although the maximum amount a business can receive initially is $60,000.

What is the funding for?

The Federal Government's Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) is a cash rebate program that encourages more Aussie businesses to export goods.

Eligible businesses will receive a 50% cash refund for overseas marketing expenses. Eligible marketing expenses fall under the following categories:

This particular grant is non-competitive – if you are eligible, you will receive a grant.

A first-time applicant can claim expenses as far back as 1 July 2018.

Who's eligible?

To be eligible you must:

Further details about this grant

Matched funding for startups and small business to access CSIRO support

Amount available:

Matched funding between $10,000 and $50,000.

What is the funding for?

The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Kick-Start program provides matched funding to Australian startups and small businesses to help them grow their companies.

Within the program, CSIRO also provides startups and small businesses with its expert guidance. This helps them to undertake research activities that will enable them to:

• Research a new idea with commercial potential
• Develop a novel or improved product or process
• Test a novel product or material

Who's eligible?

To be eligible, a startup or small business must:

Further details about this grant

Entrepreneurs' Programme

Amount available

• Up to $500,000 of matched project funding for Research Commercialisation Entities and Eligible Partner Entities
• Up to $1 million of matched project funding for all other eligible applicants

What is the funding for?

This program aims to help SMEs, entrepreneurs and researchers to commercialise their business ideas by offering both cash grants and guidance from experts:

• Accelerating Commercialisation Grants. Offers businesses up to 50% (capped at $250,000) of expenditure of a given project for commercialisation offices and eligible partner entities, and $1 million for other applicants.
• Commercialisation Guidance. Expert advisers can also provide strategic advice, feedback on applying for an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant, and help with accessing a range of portfolio services.

Both of these services are available year-round.

Who's eligible?

Businesses are required to be one of the following entities to be eligible:

• A company incorporated in Australia and a trading corporation, where your trading activities are deemed sufficient to be described as such
• A Research Commercialisation Entity or Eligible Partner Entity as defined in the grant opportunity guidelines

Businesses must also be:

• Liable to pay income tax in Australia
• Registered for GST
• Undertaking an eligible project
• Owners of and have access to or beneficial use of any intellectual property they need to undertake the commercialisation project
• Able to provide evidence of their ability to fund at least 50% of eligible project expenditure, such as funding strategy and a bank statement or loan agreement, and an Accountant Declaration that confirms their ability to fund the project
• Be able to prove a combined annual turnover of less than $20 million for each of the previous 3 financial years – unless they are controlled by a Publicly Funded Research Organisation or Eligible Partner Entity, in which case they must have annual turnover in isolation of less than $20 million for each of the 3 financial years prior to lodgement of the application.

Further details about this grant

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive

Amount available

• Businesses with annual turnover under $20 million can claim a 43.5% refundable tax offset against R&D expenditure.
• All other eligible companies can claim a 38.5% non-refundable tax offset against R&D expenditure. Non-refundable amounts that are not used in a given income year can be carried forward into future income years.

What is the funding for?

This is a refundable tax offset against R&D tax expenditure. It is available to businesses of all sizes.

Who's eligible?

Businesses must:

• Be liable to pay income tax in Australia
• Have eligible R&D expenditure greater than $20,000
• Conduct at least one activity that meets the definition of a core R&D activity

Businesses have until 10 months after the end of the income year in which the R&D activities occurred to apply for the tax break, and they must register for every income year in which they plan to claim the offset.

Further details about this grant

Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program (AAIP)

Amount available

A wage subsidy of 50% for apprentice or trainee wages for 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.

From 1 July 2020 the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program (AAIP) was scheduled to be replaced with a new incentives program for employers of apprentices and trainees, the Incentives for Australian Apprenticeships (IAA).

However, due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the government has since revised the implementation schedule of the IAA. The IAA will now commence from 1 July 2021.

Following the introduction of the IAA from 1 July 2021, employers claiming incentives for an apprentice or trainee who commenced prior to 1 July 2021 will be grandfathered under the AAIP.

What is the funding for?

The AAIP provides a wage subsidy to small businesses to support the retention of existing apprentices and trainees. This is irrespective of the COVD-19 response, i.e. JobKeeper payments.

Who's eligible?

The apprentice/trainee must:

• Have been in-training with a small business as at 1 March 2020

Additional eligibility criteria may apply.

Further details about this grant

Business Development and Assistance Program

Amount available

Competitive loans from $10,000.

What is the funding for?

This program provides concessional business loans, asset leasing, industry insight and more to Indigenous Australians who are looking to start or grow an SME on a national basis.

Who's eligible?

Businesses are required to be one of the following entities to be eligible:

• A company incorporated in Australia and a trading corporation, where your trading activities are deemed sufficient to be described as such
• A Research Commercialisation Entity or Eligible Partner Entity as defined in the grant opportunity guidelines

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Own at least 50% of the business, or have at least 50% of the business owned by people of indigenous descent
• Be solvent

Further details about this grant