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.
Funding Opportunities and Support for Your Business
Grants and support programs are offered in various sectors, such as:
- Business expansion and innovation
- Commercialization
- Exporting activities
- Research and development
- Sustainable environmental practices
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:
- Rebate offers
- Incentive programs
- Research fellowships
- Complimentary resources, such as business planning tools
- Mentoring and advisory support
- Workshops and seminars
- Training programs for specific industries or general knowledge
- Networking events and opportunities
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:
- Step To Business
- small business grants schedule
- advisory and Grants Finder
- Step To Business
- GrantConnect
- grants and programs finder on Business.gov.au.
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:
- Business details—your business registration number and how long your business has been operating
- Grant focus area (e.g., research and development, exporting)
- Your business’s capabilities—key personnel involved and any advisors you may engage to manage the project
- Project timeline—can the project be completed within the required timeframe?
- Financial aspects—the project budget and how funds will be allocated
- Additional conditions (e.g., agreement to provide a financial report upon completion of grant use)
Common grant eligibility criteria
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- The professional, commercial, and technical expertise of your team and partners
- Your ability to deliver successful outcomes on time and within budget based on your past performance activities.
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...
- Discover how to apply for and present your business pitch for Step To Business grants with guidance from our Mentoring for Growth (M4G) advisors.
