Australian government generally doesn’t offer funding to start a business, but there are more than 50 types of business subsidies available to your business operation.
The subsidies cover a broad business area:
- start-up business;
- marketing a business;
- business innovation risk sharing;
- importing and exporting business;
- buy business equipment and employment.
10 government subsidies mostly related to immigrants
10 Government subsides
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
Provides eligible unemployed people assistance with training, mentoring, income support and rental assistance to help them to become a self-employed business owner.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be unemployed
- be able to work full-time in your proposed business
- not have been declared bankrupt.
Strategic Growth Loan
Provides NSW emerging fast-growth, small to medium enterprises in NSW with loans ranging from over $500,000 to $1.2 million when traditional lenders are unable to assist.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN) and be an incorporated company
- have a minimum of 5 employees (full-time, part-time or casual)
- be creating a minimum of 20 additional full-time employee jobs within three years in NSW
Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)
Provides exporters who are aiming to increase their international sales with reimbursements of up to 50% of promotional expenses. Promotional expenses must be over $15,000 to a maximum of $150,000.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have a total income of less than $50 million
- be the principal (rather than agent) in the export of products (goods, services, intellectual property etc.)
- promote products to residents of other countries.
Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation
Provides businesses with funding between $55,000 and $1.65 million to run research and development projects, training programs, conferences or workshops, international delegation visits or other projects to help open improve access to overseas markets for Australian agricultural products.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have an Australian Business Number
- require funding of at least $55,000
- have a proposal that’s different to other projects already funded under other state or federal government programs.
Supplier Improvement Plan
Provides businesses with a Supplier Improvement Plan service to improve supply chain performance and better understand customer’s needs and requirements.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- be a for-profit company operating in Australia
- be non tax-exempt entity
- be registered for GST.
Other eligibility requirements may apply.
Tradex Scheme
Provides exporters with an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST for goods imported into Australia and then exported within one year. For the benefits, you must hold a Tradex order before you import your goods.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- be an individual, incorporated company, partnership, incorporated association or other kind of body corporate
- export the nominated goods, or combine them into other goods that are then exported
- export the nominated goods within one year.
Other eligibility requirements may apply.
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund
Provides small and medium enterprises with funding of between $500,000 to $2.5 million to cover up to a third of eligible project costs for capital projects that establish or expand advanced manufacturing activities in Victoria and South Australia.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- be a small or medium enterprise (SME) with up to 199 full time equivalent employees
- be an entity incorporated in Australia
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
Wage Subsidies
Provides employers who hire eligible job seekers funding of up to $10,000 to hire, train and retain job seekers into sustainable jobs.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- employ an eligible job seeker for 20 hours or more per week, averaged over six months
- not previously have received a subsidy for the same employee
Business Growth Grants
Provides businesses with matched funding of up to $20,000 for the cost of hiring an expert to help with implementing the advice and strategies recommended through the Business Evaluation, Growth Services, Supply Chain Facilitation or Tourism Partnerships programmes.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have received a Business Evaluation Action Plan, Supplier Improvement Plan, Growth Plan, or Tourism Partnership Plan under the Entrepreneurs’ Programme
- submit your application within the eligibility timeframes (typically within six months of receiving advisory services)
- be able to fund the cost of the external service provider prior to receiving the grant.
Small Business Grant NSW
Provides small business owners in NSW who don’t pay payroll tax, a payment of $2,000 for each new full-time position employed in their business.
Who can apply:
At a minimum, you must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- not be required to pay payroll tax during the first 12 months of employing the new person
- hire your new employee full time.
