State and Federal support for Australian startups and tech SMEs
The Australian Federal and State governments provide generous and extensive support for startups, small to medium enterprises and businesses operating in the technology space. This support can come in the form of grants, low interest loans, matched funding and even coaching.
Depending on your needs and business goals, grant funding and support can offer a range of benefits. Beyond the obvious financial or resourcing gains, some of the key benefits of this kind of support are:
Business expansion: Grants and co-funding can open up the kind of business you do, with networking or training opportunities allowing you to expand, as well as access to expertise or facilities that can strengthen the impact of your business proposition
Concept validation: Applications for governmental support can be extensive, rigorous and time-consuming - think of being given a grant or co-funding as a form of credibility and validation for your work and your expertise, which will open the way for more business
Visibility and networking: Grants and similar programs will draw attention to your products or services, raising the profile of your work and often come directly with networking opportunities, increasing the possibility of further collaborations or recognition.
In short, grants and other government-funded support can be an effective tool for expanding your business offerings, achieving goals and driving innovation.
Where to access grant information
For more information, visit the Federal Government’s grants website as well as the state where you are operating:
Some Federal opportunities worth exploring (linked grants all open at the time of writing):
Final Thoughts
Eligibility criteria for most opportunities is fairly straightforward, often requiring little more than an Australian Business Number (ABN) and demonstrating your operations within a designated business sector. But be aware that each offering is likely to be limited and therefore competitive - ensure that you only submit a proposal when you have your story straight and your value proposition clear.
If your business falls into one of these categories, it's worth taking the time to investigate and research these opportunities - they could be the springboard or boost you are looking for.
