Finding grants and business support

Finding grants and business support

Federal, state, and Step to Business programs provide various grants and support to assist in the growth and development of businesses, whether they are newly launched or well-established. The eligibility requirements and criteria for these programs may differ based on factors such as your business type, the industry you operate in, and current economic conditions.

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Funding Opportunities and Support for Your Business

Grants and support programs are offered in various sectors, such as:

The availability of grants and support varies by region or industry, focusing on areas where assistance is most needed at the time. Grants can cover a project entirely or provide partial funding, contributing up to 50% of the total project cost.

Grants and Support Programs May Include:

Take the time to explore the grants and support programs available, review the eligibility criteria, and gather the necessary documentation before submitting your application.

Webinar: Assistance for Expanding Your Business

Tune into our webinar, Assistance for Expanding Your Business, to learn about the various business grants, programs, and support available through Step To Business.

Finding a grant

You can search for grants by using various filters, including industry, business goals, objectives, and turnover range.

Here’s a rewritten version to avoid copyright issues:
Finding a Grant
Description:
You can search for grants by using various filters, including industry, business goals, objectives, and turnover range.
Utilizing specific keywords (such as ‘agriculture’ or ‘start-ups’) can help narrow your search and find the most relevant support for your business.

Numerous grant opportunities are listed on various websites, including:

Grant applications often have set start and end dates, so it’s important to plan ahead and allocate sufficient time to complete your application.

Review Application Forms and Supporting Documents

Always review the eligibility requirements for a grant, along with any guides or supporting materials, to fully understand the criteria and increase your chances of success. If you need additional information or assistance, reach out to the grant provider.

Learn how to effectively prepare and write a grant application.

While professional grant writers can assist with applications, it is not mandatory to hire one.

Eligibility Criteria

Grant and support eligibility is typically determined by your business’s current status, including:

Common grant eligibility criteria



Identify your hiring needs

Many grants and support programs require a minimum trading history to qualify. For example, you may need to have been operating for at least 3 years when applying.
Check your business stage on government grant platforms (e.g., Grants and Programs Finder on Business.gov.au).



Turnover and Employee Count

Your business must meet specific financial and workforce criteria to be eligible. For instance, you may need to have a minimum turnover of €500,000 from the previous financial year and fewer than 20 employees when applying.



Business Structure, ABN, GST, and Insolvency

Your business structure must align with the requirements, and you must meet other conditions related to your ABN, GST registration, and whether your business has declared bankruptcy to qualify.



Location

You must be located in an eligible area to qualify. For example, some grants may be available only to businesses in specific regions like West Yorkshire or other designated locations.



Industry

You need to be part of a particular industry or category to be eligible.
You can search for your industry or other categories (e.g., retail trade, indigenous business) on the Grants Finder platform.



Capability and Project Merit

Grant reviewers may assess the strength of your business capabilities, the expertise of the team involved, and how closely your project aligns with the purpose of the grant.
For instance, they may evaluate:

For example:



Financial Planning

The financial scope of your project can influence your eligibility for grants.

Ensure you estimate your project costs by gathering quotes and working with advisors, if necessary.

If you are applying for partial funding (e.g., a grant that covers 75%), you’ll need to demonstrate how you will secure the remaining funds.

Also Take Into Account…