The Australian government is keen to see Australian businesses succeed. Grants are offered by government departments, for businesses to look outside their industry and seek new opportunities at home and abroad.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many grants and assistance programs on offer for a wide range of business activities, designed to help stimulate or encourage employment, research and development in technology and grow industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There may be a grant available for your SME business, so this may be the time to get a boost of funds. Updated for 2019, we take a look at some of the many grants available at national, state & local levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open to all industry sectors, the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive<\/a> is a tax offset encouraging R&D activities that benefit the Australian economy through innovation, competitiveness and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is jointly administered by the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. It is aimed at business to engage in R& D activities and small businesses who would not have undertaken R&D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Research and Development Tax Incentive is a 43.5% refundable tax offset for eligible entities with an aggregated turnover of less than $20 million per annum, provided they are not controlled by income tax-exempt entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For other eligible entities with a greater than $20 million turnover, it is a 38.5% non-refundable tax offset (they may carry forward unused offset amounts to future income years).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For entities that exceed $100 million in turnover for an income year, the rate of the R&D tax offset is reduced to the company tax rate for that portion of an entity\u2019s notional R&D deductions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> Australian businesses or foreign entities with a double tax treaty agreement conducting eligible R&D activities \u2013 check here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> A self-assessed tax off-set based on revenue \u2013 see above<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Claims can be made up to FY24, while funding lasts<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> Register your eligible R&D with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and claim through your annual company tax<\/a> return<\/p>\n\n\n\n This funding is designed to accelerate the development of projects with strong local and export market potential to help boost the Australian economy and create more jobs. Projects include product trials, development and market testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the launch of this program in 2014, 375 grants worth over $186 million have been offered to boost Australian businesses in commercialising their technologies. Applicants receiving the grant have built a production release version of their software, established a pilot production of a manufacturing facility, and helped commercialise new platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> Applicants must be one of the following – a for-profit company registered and operating in Australia; a commercialisation office or eligible Partner Entities; or individuals, partnership or trustees who agree to form a for-profit company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> Access to expert advice with matching funding grant of up to $1 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Now, expressions of interest can be made at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> Apply by lodging an Accelerating Commercialisation Expression of Interest (EOI) form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The grant is available to support strategies that improve the abilities and skills of your business to trade in Australian markets and\/or markets in other countries. It is not intended to support fixes for problems that are part of ordinary, everyday operations of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your business adviser\/facilitator recommends specific business improvement activities to increase your business\u2019s capability to trade in Australian markets and\/or markets in other countries, you can apply for a business growth grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business growth grants are small grants to engage external expertise to help you implement the recommendations in your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> To be eligible, you must meet all of the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> A grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, the minimum grant amount is $2,500 (excluding GST) and the maximum grant amount is $20,000 (excluding GST).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Now, expressions of interest can be made at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> You must have received business advice or facilitation service to apply for this grant, which is available to assist you to implement activities that your business adviser or facilitator has recommended in your completed plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click here for more information on the Business Growth Grants<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your startup looking at markets beyond the shores of Australia? The Incubator Support initiative provides grant funding to deliver support services to Australian start-ups with an international focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grants are available to support the establishment of new incubators in regions or sectors with high innovation potential, and for existing incubators looking to expand their services. Funded incubators will deliver a range of activities designed to improve the prospects of commercial success of innovative start-ups, allowing them to realise their economic potential faster than they otherwise would. The initiative supports entrepreneurial activity and contributes to the development of the innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two types of incubator support grants \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who (Support for New and Existing Incubators<\/a>):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To be eligible for a New and Existing Incubators grant you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who (Support for Expert-in-Residence<\/a>):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To be eligible for an Expert-in-Residence grant, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> New and Existing Incubators allows for a minimum grant amount of $26,000 and a maximum grant amount of $500,000 per project with a maximum grant period of 24 months. Support for Expert-in-Residence allows for a minimum grant amount of $5,000 and a maximum grant amount of $100,000 per project with a maximum grant period of 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> Applications can be made here for New and Existing Incubators<\/a> and here for Expert-in-Residence incubators grants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Innovation Connections assists businesses to understand their research needs, connect with the research sector and fund collaborative research projects. The Innovation Connections Facilitation service is free and includes access to a highly-skilled facilitator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the completion of your Innovation Connections Facilitation, and at the recommendation of your facilitator, you may subsequently apply for an Innovation Connections Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> To be eligible for an Innovation Connections Grant, your business must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> Research projects must be in collaboration with a Publicly Funded Research Organisation (PFRO) and should develop a new idea with commercial potential. Your Innovation Facilitator<\/a> will help you decide which of the three available grants will suit your business’ needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> You will need to apply for an Innovation Facilitator first. You can contact a facilitator in your state before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aced the Australian market, and ready to go global? The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> To be eligible, the business must have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The business also must have promoted one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> The EMDG reimburses up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses within a financial year, above $5,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $15,000. Up to eight grants can be awarded to each eligible applicant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Submissions end 2 December 2019, but if you have organised for an eligible consultant to lodge on your behalf, you have until 3 March 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where:<\/strong> Follow the steps here to apply for the EMDG<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are state-based government grants available, depending on the state your business is located in. Simply scroll down to your state below and see if there is a grant that is applicable for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program provides financial assistance to support market-ready products and services that enhance the City of Melbourne\u2019s reputation for innovation and creativity, and contribute to thriving & sustainable business culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this particular funding round (2019), there is additional funding from the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund<\/a> to support innovative proposals to avoid, reduce or recycle waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> To be eligible for a City of Melbourne small business grant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> There are three categories, your business can apply for \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Applications are open from Monday 5 August 2019 at 9am and close on Monday 9 September 2019 at 11.59pm (EST).<\/p>\n\n\n\n How:<\/strong> Download the Business funding guidelines<\/a> (PDF 252 KB) and guidelines addendum<\/a> (PDF 121 KB) to decide which grant category is right for your business and follow the instructions carefully. You can only apply under one grant category per round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Promising startups may need a little boost from the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grant. They are designed to support startups with the funds needed to progress from a proof of concept stage to a minimum viable product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The grant is aimed at startups that are yet to generate revenue to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market, and create innovative solutions that address compelling industry needs or market gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> MVP grants are available across all industry sectors to startups who are primarily focused on the development of a scalable technology solution. To be eligible for an MVP grant, your startup must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> An MVP grant is a matched funding grant up to 50% of approved project costs, to a maximum of $25,000. Successful grant applicants will receive 35% of the funding up-front and 65% after completion and validation of the MVP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> At the time of publication, the Minimum Viable Product Grant applications were paused for this financial year, however, you could register your interest in future MVP grants at enquiries@jobsfornsw.com.au.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where:<\/strong> Email enquiries@jobsfornsw.com.au to register your interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to launch your new product or service? The Ignite Ideas Fund may help. This grant supports entrepreneurs, startups and small to medium Queensland businesses to commercialise innovative products, processes or services that have reached minimum viable product stage and have market potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> To be eligible for funding, applicant organisations must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applicants to Tier 1 must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applicants to Tier 2 must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> Up to $200,000 is available through the Ignite Ideas Fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n When:<\/strong> Round 6 is expected to be released on 2 September 2019 and Round 7 is due for release on 30 March 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where:<\/strong> Apply online<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are numerous small business grants and funding available to South Australian businesses designed for new and existing business and research entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The list of current grants and support services for South Australian businesses such as the SA Export Accelerator, the Job Accelerator Assistance Scheme and the Future Industries Accelerator can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New Industries Fund<\/a> and the Regional Economic Development Grants WA<\/a> (closes 2 September 2019) are two grants designed to help and strengthen the WA industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the centralised administration of community grants across a number of Australian Government client agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designed to standardise grants and make it easier for the Australian government and recipients to select, establish and manage grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These grants are aimed at Australian Government agencies and organisations who primarily grant programs to individuals and the community sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who:<\/strong> Australian Government agencies and organisations who primarily grant programs to individuals and the community sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What:<\/strong> Specific grants are updated regularly \u2013 check here for more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designed to strengthen the relationships between local business and the community, these grants focus on promoting business opportunities, competitiveness, improving productivity and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local council grants are specific to each council, so you will need to look at your local council website for further details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also many grants available to specific industries or regions in Australia such as The Growth Fund for businesses in the car manufacturing industry, or the Commercial Development grant WA for businesses in the arts and cultural sector to help them grow and market their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check here<\/a> to see if there are grants that may be applicable to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFederal Government Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Research and Development Tax Incentive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Accelerating Commercialisation (AC) Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Business Growth Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Incubator Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Innovation Connections Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Export Market Development Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
State-based Business Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Victoria<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The City of Melbourne Small Business Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
New South Wales<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Minimum Viable Products Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Queensland<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ignite Ideas Grant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
South Australia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Western Australia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Community & Local Council Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Community Grants Hub<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Local Council Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other grants, assistance & help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n