Our Guide to Small Business Grants in Australia 

small business grants

Unlocking Government Support to Help Your Business Grow 

Fortunately, there are hundreds of government grants and support programs that can give your business some support.  

In this blog, we walk you through the key types of small business grants, where to find them, and how to improve your chances of success. Note that your accountant Melbourne, such as Nobel Thomas, can provide support to apply for the grants. 

Types of Small Business Grants in Australia

1.Federal Government Grants

These are typically offered through Austrade, business.gov.au, and other national departments. 

  • Entrepreneur’s Programme (Growth Grants) 
    Up to $20,000 in matched funding for eligible businesses to engage external experts and business advisors. 
  • Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) 
    Reimbursement for costs related to international marketing and export expansion. 
  • R&D Tax Incentive 
    A tax offset (up to 43.5%) for companies engaging in eligible research and development activities. 

A service provided by Nobel Thomas and any other accountant Melbourne is to assist you in applying for the above grants, most notably the R & D and EMDG grants.  

 2. State and Territory Grants

Each state or territory offers its own grants targeted at local economic priorities. 

Examples include: 

  • VICSmall Business Energy Saver Program: rebates for energy-efficient equipment upgrades. 
  • NSWMinimum Viable Product Grants: up to $25,000 for tech startups. 
  • QLDBusiness Growth Fund: supports asset purchases to help established businesses grow. 

 3. Local Council Grants

Many local councils provide: 

  • Business façade improvement grants 
  • Digital capability training 
  • Innovation or incubation support 

These are usually smaller in value but easier to access for micro and early-stage businesses. 

4. Special Purpose Grants

Targeted support for: 

  • Women-led businesses 
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs 
  • Agribusiness and manufacturing 
  • Sustainability and clean energy transition 

Where to Find Small Business Grants

  • business.gov.au – The central federal government grant portal 
  • GrantConnect – Official listing of Australian Government grant opportunities 
  • Your state government’s small business page – e.g. business.vic.gov.au, business.nsw.gov.au 
  • Local council websites – search “business grants + [your council name]” in Google or Chat GPT 

Alternatively you can contact your accountant or financial advisor Melbourne who maybe able to assist. 

Tips for Applying Successfully

  1. Read the eligibility criteria carefully 
    Many grants are industry, location, or turnover specific. 
  2. Tailor your application 
    Avoid using generic responses — show how your business aligns with the grant’s objectives. Other than an accountant, you can also contact a financial advisor Melbourne to assist with applying for the grants. 
  3. Have clear financials 
    Accurate and up-to-date financial statements are essential. Again, your accountant can help you with this requirement. 
  4. Show impact 
    Whether it’s job creation, innovation, or sustainability — make your benefits measurable. 
  5. Get advice 
    A good accountant Melbourne, such as Nobel Thomas, or grant consultant can help strengthen your application or uncover grants you didn’t know about. 

Need Help Finding or Applying for Grants?

At Nobel Thomas, we help small businesses navigate the grant landscape — from eligibility checks to application support and reporting. 

Contact us today to explore what’s available for your business. 

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