There are a number of Australian federal and state programs for SMEs, covering areas such as export market development (for example the Export Market Development Grant), research & development tax incentives (R&D Tax Incentive), and grants or co-funding for innovation, digital, or market-entry activities. You can explore these using the Business.gov.au “Grants and Programs Finder.”

Eligibility varies depending on the grant. Some require you to already be trading or have a certain turnover. While few grants directly fund “starting a business,” start-ups may still access R&D tax offsets or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development grants. Always review each program’s eligibility criteria before applying.

A grant is direct funding or reimbursement provided by government for specific purposes, while a tax incentive offers tax reductions or refunds for eligible activities. For instance, the R&D Tax Incentive provides refundable or non-refundable offsets for qualifying research and development expenditure.

You can use the Business.gov.au “Grants and Programs Finder” to filter by your industry, business stage, and needs. State and territory governments also offer local programs through small business development offices and innovation hubs.

Common requirements include your ABN, financial statements or BAS, project outlines, supplier quotes, proof of trading, and for R&D, records of eligible activities. Keeping detailed documentation ensures smoother processing and audit compliance.

Yes. Most government grants are considered assessable income for tax purposes. R&D Tax Incentives interact with your company tax return and can reduce tax payable or provide a refundable offset. Always seek professional tax advice before lodging.

Grant programs are often competitive, with limited funding. Common rejection reasons include ineligibility, insufficient evidence, unclear project outcomes, or misalignment with program objectives. Reading guidelines carefully and providing detailed, outcome-driven responses improves your chances.

Yes. Specific programs support MVP creation (e.g., state innovation grants), export growth (e.g., Export Market Development Grant), and investor incentives (e.g., Early Stage Innovation Company tax incentives). Always confirm that your project purpose aligns with the grant’s funding objectives.

After submission, you’ll usually receive confirmation via an online portal or email. Applications move through review and assessment stages. If successful, you’ll receive a funding agreement outlining payment terms and reporting obligations. If unsuccessful, you can often reapply in future rounds.

Recipients must use funds only for approved purposes, meet reporting and milestone requirements, retain financial evidence, and acknowledge funding as required. Misuse or non-compliance can result in repayment. Keeping transparent records ensures future eligibility.