Business Grants

Please note that while we update our lists of available grants reguarly, this is not a comprensive list and closing dates and details should be varified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

If you have been affected by the recent bushfires, a list of available grants and assitance is available on our dedicated Bushfire Assistance page.

Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/entrepreneurs-programme

The Entrepreneurs' Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity.

The programme offers support to businesses through four elements:

• Accelerating Commercialisation — helps small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers to commercialise novel products, services and processes.
• Business Management — provides access to a national network of experienced business advisers and facilitators to assist you to improve your business practices, become more competitive, and take advantage of growth and collaboration opportunities in order to increase your business’s capability to trade in Australian markets and/or markets in other countries.
• Incubator Support — assists new and existing incubators to improve the prospects of Australian start-ups achieving commercial success in international markets, through helping them to develop their business capabilities.
• Innovation Connections — experienced Innovation Facilitators work with your business to identify knowledge gaps that are preventing your business growth. The outcome is an Innovation Facilitation Report.

Practical support for businesses includes:

• advice from people with relevant private sector experience
• co-funded grants to commercialise new products, processes and services
• funding to take advantage of business improvement and growth opportunities
• connection and collaboration opportunities.

Jobs for NSW

Further Information: https://www.jobsfornsw.com.au/

Jobs for NSW provides financial support to startups and emerging and fast-growth small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to scale and grow new jobs in NSW.

With a $190 million fund to invest over four years, Jobs for NSW offers a suite of financial products including grants, loans and loan guarantees to support industries and entrepreneurial businesses that generate sustainable jobs across the state.

Jobs for NSW provides support for:

• Startups
• Emerging Businesses
• Regional Support
• Jobs for NSW Partnerships

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Income Assistance and Advice

Run By: Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business

Further Information: https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-business-assistance-neis

Individuals not in employment, education or training who are interested in running their own business may be eligible for New Business Assistance with NEIS.

New Business Assistance can help by providing:

• Accredited small business training;
• Personalised mentoring and support from a NEIS provider in the first year of the new business to help the individual put their business idea into practice; and
• NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks (if eligible)

New Air Combat Capability - Industry Support Program (NACC-ISP)

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Matched up to $1 million

Run By: The Departments of Defence and Industry, Innovaiton and Science

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/Assistance/New-Air-Combat-Capability-Industry-Support-Program-NACC-ISP

Provides Australian businesses and research organisations with matched funding of up to $1 million for Projects to help them enter export markets, secure domestic contracts and upskill their staff so they can win work with the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program.

The Departments of Defence and Industry, Innovation and Science deliver and manage the New Air Combat Capability – Industry Support Program (NACC-ISP). It aims to help defence industry businesses to improve their:

• capability
• competitiveness and
• capacity for innovation

with regard to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project.

NACC-ISP will assist businesses that want to:

• enter export markets
• secure domestic contracts and
• up-skill staff.

The NACC-ISP offers Australian industry and research organisations three streams of assistance. Applicants must invest the same dollar value of the funding they are seeking.

Stream A: Grants of up to $1 million over a period of no more than 3 years (plus any approved extensions), for the development of new or improved JSF technology, product, process or service.

Stream B: Grants of up to $250,000 over a period of no more than 18 months (plus any approved extensions), for the development of new or improved JSF technology, product, process or service.

Stream C: Grants of up to $300,000 with no more than $100,000 per financial year, for a period of no more than 36 months for Australian universities, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), publicly funded research agencies (PFRAs) or a company controlled by one of the above.

Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program

Closes: Funding will be available from 2 November 2015 until 30 June 2020

Value: Up to $5,000

Run By: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Rural Assistance Authority

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/farm-business-skills-professional-development-program-nsw

The Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program provides subsidies to farmers to help them access vocational skills and training.

The funding may be used for:

• professional development, vocational training and farm business planning
• travel costs (fuel, accommodation, meals)
• child / respite care costs (from a registered provider)
• software that is specifically related to the professional development activity

Approved participants can claim a 50 percent subsidy of up to $5,000 for the first individual. There is an additional $1,000 available per person for a maximum of four people for a total maximum of $9,000 per farm business.

Indigenous Business Australia

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Financial support and advice

Run By: Indigenous Business Australia

Further Information: http://www.iba.gov.au/business/

IBA assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access the skills, knowledge and resources required to start and grow viable and sustainable businesses.

After hearing about your individual circumstances and identifying what stage of the business life cycle you are at, IBA can provide an assessment of the resources and assistance that will help you to achieve your business goals. They may also work with you to develop an action plan that will assist and better equip you to make informed decisions about your business future. Our locally based staff can work closely with you to support and guide you through your business journey in meeting the challenges of developing a successful business.

Innovation Connections

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Up to $50,000

Run By: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/innovation-connections

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. At the completion of your Innovation Connections Facilitation, and at the recommendation of your facilitator, you may subsequently apply for an Innovation Connections Grant.

An Innovation Facilitator will work with your business to understand your research needs. This might include:

• discussing strategic research opportunities into new or existing markets
• identifying critical research areas for improving your products, processes and services
• finding ways for your business to work with the research sector (i.e. CSIRO, universities and other publicly funded research organisations).

At the end of the engagement, you will be provided with an Innovation Facilitation Report that outlines your business’ research needs and opportunities. If a collaborative research project is recommended, the facilitator will connect your business to expertise within the research sector and help to define a project scope. You will then be able to apply for an Innovation Connections Grant to co-fund the project.

Farm Household Allowance

Closes: Applications are ongoing

Value: Based on individual assessment

Run By: Australian Government Department of Human Services

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/farm-household-allowance-program

Farm Household Allowance (FHA) provides assistance to farming families experiencing financial hardship. The program focuses on helping farmers make important decisions to improve their long-term financial situation.

The FHA program is not a payment for farmers experiencing drought, but rather a payment for farmers who are experiencing hardship, regardless of the cause. FHA helps farmers cope with financial pressures while they get back on their feet. It provides one-on-one case support, activity supplements for planning and training to make long-term financial improvements, and fortnightly income support for up to four cumulative years. The FHA program is more than an income support payment.

There a four key support elements to the program:

• a fortnightly payment and supplementary allowances such as rent assistance, telephone and pharmaceutical allowances and a Health Care Card
• individual case support with a Farm Household Case Officer (FHCO) and a Rural Financial Counsellor (RFC)
• a financial assessment of the farm enterprise up to $1,500
• a $4,000 activity supplement that gives farmers an opportunity to develop skills, access training and pay for advice to better manage their business into the future.

The amount of Farm Household Allowance payable depends on your individual circumstances.

TechVouchers

Closes: Applications are ongoing

Value: Partnership creation and up to $15,000

Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry

Further Information: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry-in-nsw/innovation-and-research/techvouchers

TechVouchers encourages research collaboration between NSW small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and Boosting Business Innovation Program (BBIP) delivery partners.

Through TechVouchers, SMEs can be connected with an expert in a relevant field of research and embark on an innovative joint research project. The program also enables access to high tech instruments and facilities that would otherwise be difficult to access.

TechVouchers will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible NSW companies for amounts up to $15,000. All funding must be matched in cash by the SME.

Priority is given to companies that:

• have not engaged with universities or other public sector research organisations in the past
• have not been working with research organisations for more than two years
• have an existing relationship with a research organisation and can demonstrate that receiving a TechVoucher will result in transformative improvement in the existing collaboration.

Incubator Support - Expert-In-Residence

Closes: Applications are ongoing

Value: $5,000 to $100,000

Run By: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’

Further Information: www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Entrepreneurs-Programme/Incubator-Support-Expert-in-Residence

The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity at the firm level. The objective of the program is to drive business growth and competitiveness by supporting business improvement and innovation connections in targeted Growth Sectors and the commercialisation of novel products, process and services.

The objective of the Expert in Residence component is to increase the capabilities of incubators and improve the chance of commercial success for start-ups in international markets by organising and providing access to top quality research, managerial and technical talent through incoming and outgoing secondments of national or international experts.

Regional Filming Fund

Closing date: Four weeks prior to the start of filming in Regional NSW

Value: up to 35% of the budgeted NSW Regional Spend to a maximum of $100,000

Run By: Screen NSW

Further Information: www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding/production-support/regional-filming-fund-rff

The Regional Filming Fund (RFF) offsets costs associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW. Applicants may request up to 35% of the budgeted NSW Regional Spend. Support is provided as a grant. The maximum grant per production is $100,000. NSW Regional Spend is the total of the below the line shooting expenses directly associated with filming in regional NSW.

They fund production of Australian projects in the following categories:

• feature films
• content-rich factual and documentary television or web programs and series
• adult and children’s television drama and narrative comedy including series, miniseries, web series and telemovies
• animation productions
• creative interactive screen entertainment

Incubator Support - New & Existing Incubators

Closes: Ongoing
Value: $26,000 to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Entrepreneurs-Programme/Incubator-Support-New-and-Existing-Incubators

The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity at the firm level. The objective of the program is to drive business growth and competitiveness by supporting business improvement and innovation connections in targeted Growth Sectors and the commercialisation of novel products, process and services.

The objective of the New and Existing Incubators component is to:

• help develop new incubators in regional areas and/or sectors with high potential for success in international trade
• boost the effectiveness of high performing incubators, including funding support to expand their services and/or develop the innovation ecosystem
• encourage incubators to work with more data-driven start-ups that use public data as part of their business.

For a New and Existing Incubators project you can apply for a minimum grant amount of $26,000 and a maximum grant amount of $500,000, over a maximum period of 24 months. The maximum grant percentage varies depending on your project location as defined in the regional locator tool.

Tradex Scheme

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Varies based on the the goods imported

Run By: The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Further Information: www.business.gov.au/assistance/tradex-scheme

The Tradex Scheme provides an upfront exemption from Customs duty and GST for eligible goods imported to Australia that are then exported within one year or other approved period. This provides a cash-flow benefit to the importer.

The goods may be:

• exported in the same condition as imported
• processed or treated then exported, or
• incorporated in other goods which are exported.

Export may be carried out by the importer or a third party. The goods must be exported within one year although approval can be sought to extend this period.

The Tradex Scheme is an alternative to the duty drawback arrangements under the Customs Act 1901. Duty drawback allows the importer to claim back Customs duty paid on goods that are then exported.

Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Further Information: https://arena.gov.au/funding/programs/venture-capital-fund/

ARENA’s Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program fosters skills and management capability. It encourages investment in innovative Australian renewable energy companies to strengthen their chance of success.

The Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund was established under the Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund. The $120 million fund is managed by Southern Cross Venture Partners.

The fund provides management expertise and makes equity investments in early-stage renewable energy companies to help them overcome capital constraints, develop technologies, increase skills and forge international connections.

ARENA recommends that potential Venture Capital Fund applicants should contact Southern Cross Venture Partners to discuss opportunities.

Advancing Renewables Program

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Further Information: https://arena.gov.au/funding/programs/advancing-renewables-program/

ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses.

The program’s objective is to fund activities that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

reduction in the cost of renewable energy

• increase in the value delivered by renewable energy
• improvement in technology readiness and commercial readiness of renewable energy
• reduction in or removal of barriers to renewable energy uptake
• increased skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy

This fund is open to applications for all activities identified in the ARENA Investment Plan, except the competitive rounds. Applications for the competitive activities are accepted during competitive rounds.

Supply Chain Facilitation

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Tailored advice
Run By: Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Supply-Chain-Facilitation

Provides access to a skilled advisor who will work with you to develop an improvement plan for an identified supply chain opportunity and support you as you implement the plan.

They engage with decisions makers, projects proponents and delivery partners to identify opportunities to improve supply chains. We select projects based on market needs and whether buyers within the supply chains will support them. A supply chain opportunity has the commitment of both the supplying and buying stakeholders within the supply chain.

With Supply Chain Facilitation you’ll get access to a skilled business adviser who will:

• help you better understand the requirements of the buying stakeholders
• identify any capability and skills gaps in your business that may impact your ability to supply into new or existing supply chains
• help you address those gaps to better meet the needs of customers
• prepare a tailored supplier improvement plan with strategies to address gaps
• coach and mentor you for up to 1 year

Regional Investment Attraction Fund

Closes: Undisclosed

Value: Undisclosed

Run By: NSW Government

Further Information: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw/why-sydney-and-nsw/regional-nsw

The NSW Government offers a range of incentives to attract new and growing businesses to regional NSW. Businesses can take advantage of benefits including direct access to an investment concierge for expert and tailored support, grants and interest-free loans, and relocation assistance for skilled workers.

Investment Concierge Service.

The Investment Concierge Service provides end-to-end support for businesses wishing to set up or expand their operations in regional NSW. The service acts as the interface across NSW Government agencies to provide tailored advice to businesses about opportunities, sites and relevant government assistance available.

Eligible businesses can apply for grants and interest-free loans to help them establish themselves in regional NSW and create new jobs. Grants and interest free loans will be available for businesses that are operating in eligible industries and creating or retaining jobs in Special Activation Precincts.

Relocation Assistance for Skilled Workers

Closes: Undisclosed
Value: Up to $10,000 per worker
Run By: NSW Government
Further Information: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw/why-sydney-and-nsw/regional-nsw

Relocation grants of up to $10,000 per worker are available to help attract skilled employees to regional NSW businesses operating in eligible industries. These will help businesses meet the costs of relocating employees, such as for furniture removal and temporary accommodation for up to three months.

Grants are available for businesses relocating to regional NSW and businesses already operating and expanding within regional NSW, to assist with the costs of relocating skilled workers in an occupation on the NSW Department of Industry Skilled Occupation List from metropolitan areas to regional NSW.

Cyber Security Small Business Program

Closes: Ongoing until 30 June 2020 5pm AEST

Value: Up to $2,100 - $10 Million total pool
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industy, Innovation and Science

Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/cyber-security-small-business-program

The Cyber Security Small Business Program will support small businesses across Australia to have their cyber security tested by a provider that has been approved by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers Australia New Zealand (CREST).

Grants will be provided to small businesses (with 19 or fewer employees) for up to 50 per cent of the cost of a micro, small or standard certified small business check. These health checks are essentially the same, but vary in price depending on the number of devices that are tested.

The grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

Closes: 30th of June 2021 or when the $12 Million funding allocation is exhausted

Value: Up to $25,000 per farm enterprise

Run By: NSW Government Department of Primary Indsutries, Rural Assistance Authority

Further Information: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/emergency-water-infrastructure-rebate-scheme

Eligible Primary Producers can claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs.

The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate scheme can be applied to costs incurred from 1st July 2018 for new purchases, and installation of pipes, water storages and water pumps, de-silting dams, and associated power supplies such as generators.

Dreamstarter - Scholarships

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Unspecified

Run By: ING

Further Information: https://campaigns.ing.com.au/Dreamstarter/Apply-scholarships#tab-top-position

ING are looking for change makers working on an early-stage business that will create positive social impact through trade of a product or service. They know that growing a dream into a sustainable and impactful business requires passion and dedication but also knowledge and skills that you may not yet possess.

Dreamstarter Scholarships exist to support you on that journey by providing the funding you need to participate in learning programs that provide the skills, knowledge and networks for you to develop or grow your social business.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants

• buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security.
• design, engineering and commissioning activities.
• workforce training and accreditations.

1. The extent that your project will help your business to build defence industry export capability (50 points).
2. Your capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (30 points).
3. The impact of grant funding on your project (20 points).

Dreamstarter - Grants for Growth

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Unspecified

Run By: ING

Further Information: https://campaigns.ing.com.au/Dreamstarter/Apply-grants-for-growth#tab-top-position

Dreamstarter Grants for Growth provides ING Dreamstarter Alumni with access to funding to accelerate the growth of their businesses and increase their positive social impact. Because they understand that opportunities don't always appear at a time when grant applications are open they have created an ‘always open’ program, so that ING Dreamstarters can apply for a financial boost at a time that suits them.

Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant

Closes: Ongoing rounds through the year
Value: Up to $140,000
Run By: Impact Investing Australia
Further Information: https://impactinvestmentready.com.au/

The Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant provides impact businesses and mission-driven organisations with grants of up to $140,000 for business, financial, legal and other capacity building support from providers to secure investment.

Growth Grants were created in recognition of the potential for impact investing to change the way Australia addresses social issues and the important role that access to capital can play in delivering better outcomes for people and communities. They support enterprises that are high growth, can deliver positive social outcomes and have the potential to secure capital investment.

Export Market Development Grants

Closes: Yearly rounds / Varying dates
Value: Up to $150,000
Run By: Austrade
Further Information: https://www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants

The Export Market Development Grants 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.

The EMDG scheme:

• encourages small- and medium-sized Australian businesses to develop export markets
• reimburses up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses above $5,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $15,000
• provides up to eight grants to each eligible applicant.

On-farm Natural Resource Management Grants

Closes: Ongoing

Value: Unspecified matched

Run By: Northern Tablelands Local Land Services

Further Information: https://northerntablelands.lls.nsw.gov.au/our-region/grants-and-funding

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services currently has funding avaliable to develop projects on-farm and they would like landholders to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to help the LLS identify and support landholders natural resource priorities.

Expressions of Interest will be assessed as they are received against a set of criteria including funding availability, landholder contribution, NSW and Australian Government priorities and value for money. It is expected that proposed projects would be delivered by December 2020.

Funding is available for on-ground projects that achieve improved natural resource management on farm.

Activities that are eligible for funding include but are not limited to:

• Protecting and improving waterways
• Providing alternate water points where stock are excluded from water sources
• Planting shelter belts or wind breaks with native trees and shrubs (must be min1ha in size )
• Improving habitat for threatened species like woodland birds and koalas.
• Protecting and managing existing native vegetation

Newsagents Assistance Fund

Closes: Unspecified

Value: Up to $10,000

Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry

Further Information: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry-in-nsw/assistance-and-support/newsagents-assistance-fund

The Newsagents Assistance Fund assists eligible agents to update their NSW Lotteries retail image and fit-out to align with the NSW Lotteries brand.

The Newsagents Assistance Fund is available to NSW Lotteries Agents that were active on 30 January 2015

Youth Employment Program

Closes: Unspecified

Value: Support

Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry

Further Information: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry-in-nsw/assistance-and-support/smart-skilled-and-hired/youth-employment/program

Smart, Skilled and Hired helps young people and local businesses in NSW.

Young people can become work ready or kickstart a fulfilling career by connecting to training, mentoring, work experience placements, and other support to build their skills and experience.

Local businesses that provide opportunities for young people benefit from access to job-ready employees with the skills and training they need for their businesses.

The program is open to young people (15 to 24 years) and businesses in Western Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter, New England/North West and the North Coast.

CSIRO Kick-Start

• Research into a new idea with commercial potential.
• Development of a novel or improved product or process.
• Test a novel product or material developed by the company.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants

Closes: Ongoing

Value: $15,000 to $150,000

Run By: Australian Government Department of Defence

Further Information: https://www.grants.gov.au/?event=public.GO.show&GOUUID=C0CE7D47-9833-FCEB-41DC36EA0DF296D7

The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants will help Australian SMEs to invest in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry. The Defence Export Strategy defines Australian defence exports as “any defence-specific or dual-use goods or services exported by Australian defence industry, including as part of a supply chain, that are intended for a defence or national security end-user”.

Funding is for up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Project activities can include:

• buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security.
• design, engineering and commissioning activities.
• workforce training and accreditations.

Austtalian Government's Youth Jobs PaTH

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $11,0000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active

Further Information: https://jobactive.gov.au/path

Trial a young person to find out if they're the right fit for your business and get $1000 to help cover the costs of the trial. During the trial, you don't pay the young person. Instead, the Australian Government gives them $200 a fortnight on top of their income support and covers their insurance.

Businesses can also receive up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) through a Youth Bonus wage subsidy if they hire an eligible young person between 15 and 24 years of age.

The young person must:

• be a fully eligible participant, commenced with a jobactive or Transition to Work provider
• have received employment services from a provider (jobactive, Transition to Work, Disability Employment Services or Community Development Programme provider) continuously for the last six months
• have mutual obligation requirements at the time they commence in the wage subsidised job
• not been in a pre-existing employment relation with you in the previous six months
• not be an immediate family member.
   

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant

Closes: 31st of July 2020
Value: Up to $40,000
Run By: NSW Government
Further Information: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/programs_services/funded_other/acp/edaep.html

The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant (EDAEG) adopts a number of strategies to develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities. Promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce, the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies and local government authorities.

The EDAEG comprises three (3) elements

• Permanent Employment – $30,000 up to $40,000 (dependant on level of position) to support permanent employment.
• Temporary Secondment – $20,000 up to $40,000 (dependant on level of position) to support a temporary position of up to 12 months that offers significant skill development for a permanent employee.
• School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships – $10,000 one off payment to support school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Organisations applying for funding under the EDAEG must be registered, based in NSW and provide services within the State.

To be eligible, organisations must be a:

• NSW public service agency; or
• NSW local government authority operating under the Local Government Act 1993.

Restart

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,0000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active

Further Information: https://www.employment.gov.au/restart-help-employ-mature-workers-0

Restart is a financial incentive of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) to encourage businesses to hire and retain mature age employees who are 50 years of age and over.

Payments are made by employment services providers to businesses over six months. Employers can negotiate how often they receive the payments. Employers may also be able to receive a kickstart payment of up to 40 per cent of the total amount after four weeks of the job starting.

1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding

• Subsidised up to the minimum wage of $19.49 (based on the 2019-2020 minimum wage).
• Subsidised up to 38 hours per week for up to 46 weeks per year, with the subsidy tapering in the second year to 50 per cent with additional retention bonuses.  

• New and ongoing 
• Full-time or Part-time
• At least 15 hours per week on average

Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant

Closes: 30th of September 2020
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: Wine Australia
Further Information: http://www.grants.gov.au/?event=public.GO.show&GOUUID=74A6CA33-EE91-32E3-772EDABB9D36F6D1
The Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program (the program) has been introduced to support producers who add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions. Wine producers will be able to access an annual grant reflective of their eligible physical cellar door sales. The grant is part of a coordinated suite of measures developed with the Australian wine industry after extensive consultations on reforms to the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) arrangements. It complements the $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package being implemented by Wine Australia from 2016 through to 2020.

To be eligible for the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant applicants must:
a. be a wine producer
b. be a legal entity registered for GST and with an active ABN
c. have made at least $1,207,000 (GST exclusive) in sales of rebatable wine in the relevant financial year
d. accrue rebatable domestic cellar door sales in excess of any such sales used to meet the $1,207,000 (GST exclusive) threshold in the relevant financial year
e. have paid the WET on all eligible sales used as part of the application
f. have owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia in the relevant financial year, and/or their related entity/ies have owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia in the relevant financial year.
g. have a liquor licence valid in the relevant financial year.
 

Increasing Resilience to Climate Change

Closes: 28th of February 2020 (Extended)
Value: $10,000 to $30,000
Run By: AdaptNSW
Further Information: https://www.grants.gov.au/?event=public.GO.show&GOUUID=DF4E1962-D9CE-F6B6-9D916FBC0081F1CB

The NSW Government is investing in community-led adaptation projects that deliver positive social, environmental and economic outcomes, while supporting community participation, preparation and resilience to climate change impacts.

The Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Community Grants program supports the objectives of NSW Climate Change Policy Framework by enabling communities and individuals to be better prepared and be more resilient to climate change impacts.

The Community Grants program has been established to support projects that help communities to take action and manage climate change impacts by being able to better plan, prepare for, and respond to heatwaves, storms, floods, drought and bushfires, to increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Disaster Recovery Grants

Closes: 24th of May 2020
Value: $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Rural Assistance Authority
Further Information: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-grants/northern-nsw-bushfires

The Natural Disaster Recovery Relief Grant is available to eligible primary producers, small businesses, sporting clubs and not for profit organisations, following the declaration of a Natural Disaster by the NSW Government, and following the approval of the Australian Government. This assistance measure is only provided in event of Natural Disasters that have severely affected communities, regions or sectors.

There are funds available for:

• Primary Producers
• Small Business
• Not-for-Profit Organisations

Automotive Innovation Lab Access

Closes: 24th of Febraury 2020
Value: $50,000 to $200,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Further Information: https://www.grants.gov.au/?event=public.GO.show&GOUUID=E562FBB1-0AD4-C6EB-2D92B1B53AADB891

This program aims to help businesses enhance their automotive product design and development process.

It will do this by supporting activities at specialised facilities and service organisations, including:

• designing
• prototyping
• testing

Australian businesses can benefit from the program’s objectives to support:

• access to automotive test facilities
• access to design and prototyping services
• new automotive product development
• enhanced business capability
• building capacity to deliver diversified products
• building capacity to supply products to local and international markets

AgBiz Drought Loans

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Further Information: https://www.ric.gov.au/agbiz-drought

You can only apply for concessional this loan if your small business is currently or has been supplying goods or services relating to primary production to farm businesses in an affected area. This loan is not available to farm businesses.

The loan is for ten years and has no fees, 2 years interest free, 3 years interest only and 5 years principal and interest.

It may be used for:

• refinance your debt
• pay suppliers
• pay for operating expenses
• pay salaries, wages and rent

Package Assisting Small Exporters

Closes: 28th of February 2020
Value: Unspecified - $5M total pool for 3 years
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture
Further Information: http://www.grants.gov.au/?event=public.GO.show&GOUUID=85EBB74A-D9AC-2C36-B91754A8F893A664

Under the program, grants are available to organisations and individuals for projects that support small exporters exporting dairy, fish, eggs, grain, plant, horticulture, meat and animal products, as defined in the Export Control Act 1982 and its subordinate legislation. For the purposes of these grants, small exporters are defined as having:

• annual revenues from export activities of less than $10 million for each registered establishment
• less than $20 million total revenue for both domestic and export activities

The objective of the program is to assist small exporters in the dairy, fish, eggs, grain, plant, horticulture, meat and animal product industries to overcome barriers to market access.

Farm Investment Loans

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Further Information: https://www.ric.gov.au/farm-investment

You can apply for this loan if you solely or mainly sell products into supply chains that are interstate or outside Australia, or plan to in the future.

It may be used for:

• improve long-term strength, resilience and profitability
• diversify your markets
• ​refinance existing debt
• prepare for, manage through or recover from drought
• access new debt for operating expenses and capital

Water Efficiency Program

Closes: 31st of December 2023
Value: Unspevified - Over $1 million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture
Further Information: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/mdb/programs/basin-wide/water-efficiency

If you have held water rights for at least 3 years in the Murray–Darling Basin you may be eligible for funding.

An eligible participant is someone who:

• owns an eligible water right
• is capable of transferring that water to the Commonwealth under a contract to do efficiency works to achieve water savings.

You can apply as a project partner or through a delivery partner. If you have a project over $1 million, you can now register your interest as a project partner. Projects under $1 million must be applied for through a delivery partner.

Eligibility criteria for project partners in NSW are:

• Projects must be made public.
• Projects do not negatively impact on social and environmental outcomes.
• The project assessment for funding must be clear, timely, simple and transparent, and not unduly increase red tape.
• Programs or projects support regional economies.
• Programs or projects do not have negative third-party impacts on the irrigation system, water markets or regional communities.
• Projects need to be assessed for their potential toimpact on the price of water.
• Any cultural impacts identified, protected or improved.
• Program design should include close engagement with community and industry leaders.
• Where practical, seek to develop and implement integrated implementation of efficiency measures to maximise benefits to the irrigation network and local enterprises.
• Monitoring and evaluation, including of socio-economic outcomes, should be built into programs and used to regularly review and adapt programs, as required.
• Projects must deliver real water savings and not result in profiteering or rorting.
• Projectsshould identify improved capacity to respond to changes in business environment including drought and climate resilience.

Drought Loans

Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Further Information: https://www.ric.gov.au/farmers/drought

Concessional loan to help farm businesses in the agriculture, horticulture, pastoral, apiculture, or aquaculture industryto prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought.

The loan is for ten years and has no fees, 2 years interest free, 3 years interest only and 5 years principal and interest.

It may be used for:

• refinance your debt
• pay for operating expenses or capital
• access new debt for operating expenses and capital

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants

Closes: 19th of March 2020
Value: $100,000 to $3,000,000
Run By: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Further Information: https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Cooperative-Research-Centres-Projects-CRCP-Grants

The Cooperative Research Centres Program (the program) supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. The program is a proven model for linking researchers with industry to focus on research and development towards use and commercialisation.

The objectives of the program are to:

• improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially where Australia has a competitive strength, and in line with government priorities
• foster high quality research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led and outcome-focused collaborative research partnerships between industry entities and research organisations
• encourage and facilitate small and medium enterprise (SME) participation in collaborative research.

The program consists of two elements:

• CRC Grants to support medium to long term, industry-led collaborations; and
• CRC-P Grants to support short term, industry-led collaborative research.

International Relations Grants Program

Closes: Varies (Mostly March and April)
Value: Varies
Run By: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Further Information: https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/business-opportunities/Pages/international-relations-grants-program-open.aspx

The objectives of the Program are to promote people-to-people links and a contemporary and positive image of Australia and support for the Australian Government’s international policy goals.

The expected outcomes of the Program are:

• strengthened bilateral relationships in areas of mutual interest with particular countries and regions,
• international networks, collaboration and connections between institutions and communities to build understanding, trust and influence,
• enhanced Australian international reputation and reach through the promotion of our economic, creative and cultural, sporting, innovation and science, and education assets, and
• increased understanding of Australians of the cultures and opportunities in each of these countries.

Grant opportunities available under the International Relations Grants Program are:

• Australia-ASEAN Council 2020
• Australia-China Council 2020
• Australia-India Council 2020
• Australia-Indonesia Institute 2020
• Australia-Japan Foundation 2020
• Australia-Korea Foundation 2020
• Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program 2020
• Council for Australian-Arab Relations 2020
• Council on Australia Latin America Relations 2020

Before and After School Care Equipment and Facilities Grant Program

Closes: 31st of January 2021
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Further Information: https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/media/documents/basc/Equipment-and-Facilities-Grant-Guidelines-2020.pdf

The Equipment and Facilities Grant Program supports schools and services to fund equipment and facilities that enable new services to establish and existing services to expand. Applicants may seek up to $30,000 (GST exclusive) for their project and applications will be assessed based on the level of demand for the increase in places and how well the proposed project will address the issue.

This is an open –competitive grant program.