Grants
Support for businesses in AustraliaView all available grants
Regional Investment Activation Fund
The NSW Government’s $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund will make regional NSW the location of choice for investors, facilitating new private sector investment to activate the potential of priority precincts and industries.
Two targeted funding streams are now open for applications and aim to:
- Drive increased productivity, innovation and business competitiveness in regional NSW
- Activate new industries
- Promote industry cluster developments
- Deliver new and sustainable employment opportunities.
Stream One is an open, competitive grants program with a two-stage application and assessment process (Expression of Interest followed by Detailed Application). Eligible applications will be assessed on their comparative merits against the nominated eligibility and assessment criteria.
- Grant amount: From $2,000,000 to $20,000,000
- Application closes: 14 November 2022, 5:00 pm
Stream Two is an open, non-competitive grants program where applicants can contact the Department to apply for funding. Applications will be assessed individually, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. Stream Two aims to provide increased flexibility to secure investments that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location.
- Grant amount: From $1,000,000 to $10,000,000
- Application closes: 31 December 2024, 5:00 pm
Innovate with nbn® Grants Program ready to support regional and remote businesses
Applications are now open for the latest round of the Innovate with NBN Grants Program, which supports individuals, businesses and organisations across regional and remote Australia to take their technology-led ideas to the next level.
This grant funding opportunity is delivered by NBN Co, in partnership with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and Regional Australia Institute.
The grants will enable innovators and entrepreneurs to deliver game-changing projects that will enhance the digital capabilities of communities and businesses, powered by access to the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Applications Close: 11:59PM (AEDT) Sunday 20 November 2022
ABC Trailblazers Program 2023
Applications are now open for the ABC’s Trailblazers program in 2023, which showcases the stories of regional Australia’s brightest new leaders.
Trailblazers is an opportunity for young innovators, aged 18 – 28, who have started social, educational and economic development projects in their regional communities, to have their work celebrated nationally.
Previous Trailblazers projects have tackled issues including strengthening Indigenous culture, youth mental health, sustainable agriculture, employment, education and supporting remote entrepreneurs.
Applications close: Thursday 20 October 2022.
Festivals Australia New Funding Round Opens
People living in regional or remote Australia will now have a chance to enjoy an arts experience or a significant one-off community celebration.
Festivals Australia will:
- provide access to a diverse range of high quality, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional Australia
- support partnerships and collaboration across the arts sector
- encourage community participation in arts projects at regional and remote festivals.
The program delivers two funding rounds each year usually opening in February and September. This current funding round is for projects commencing from 1 February 2023.
Grant closes: 11:59PM AEDT Wednesday 5 October 2022
Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program
As part of the Digital Economy Strategy announced on 6 May 2021, the Government committed $32.6 million over two years to establish the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program (the program). The program will support strategic partnerships with industry, using emerging aviation technology to address community needs, particularly in regional Australia.
Round One of the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program is open for applications. Please see the program guidelines for information on eligibility and merit criteria.
Applications close 11:30pm AEDT on 31 March 2022.
Energy Efficient Communities Program - Food & Bverage
The objective of the grant opportunity is to support small and medium sized food and beverage manufacturing enterprises to save energy. The intended outcomes of this grant are to:
- lower energy costs through the adoption of energy efficiency practices and equipment
- increase awareness of energy efficiency opportunities
- enable energy savings that lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The grant provides small/medium businesses up to $25,000 to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative Round 2
The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative provides up to $2 million to establish or scale a manufacturing capability or a related activity to address supply chain vulnerabilities for a critical product or input identified in the Sovereign Manufacturing Capability Plan.
Applicants should demonstrate how their project addresses vulnerabilities identified in the Sovereign Manufacturing Capability Plan, including through investment in new equipment, technology, skills and processes.
Applications close 17 January 2022.
Export Assistance For NSW Goods & Services
High-quality goods and services from New South Wales are sought-after globally, with exports generating $95 billion in revenue during 2019-20, equivalent to 15 per cent of the total state economy.
Small and medium exporters in NSW will benefit from the $12 million Going Global support program aimed at creating jobs and supporting the regions. The package includes assistance grants for exporters, tailored workshops and opportunities to explore new markets.
National Careers Institute Partnership Grants Round Three
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment Partnership Grants program offers funding to organisations such as employers, training providers, schools and community organisations for innovative projects to support women to improve career outcomes and create education and training pathways.
Grants range from $20,000 to $350,000 and will be funded for a maximum of 12 months.
NSW REGIONAL BUSINESS EVENT DEVELOPMENT FUND
The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is designed to help stakeholders create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives. The Fund aims to enrich these business events with opportunities offered by iconic towns and regions, while helping secure successful conferences and events for their future.
Applications submitted prior to 5:00pm AEDT Monday 31 January 2022 will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis until the funds have been expended.
National Recovery and Resilience
The Australian Government has committed $600 million over six years from 2021-22 to 2026-27 for the Preparing Australia Program. The Preparing Australia Program will support projects that mitigate or reduce the disaster risk, impact and consequence associated with large-scale natural hazards. The intended outcome of the Preparing Australia Program is to reduce the impact of natural hazards on Australian communities and bushland.
Applications are open now and close 6 January 2022.
Supporting waste infrastructure in regional and remote Australia
The Commonwealth has recently announced an additional $7 million in funding to address waste infrastructure gaps under the Recycling Modernisation Fund. The additional funding specifically recognises the unique challenges associated with recycling and waste management in regional and remote Australia. The type of projects we are looking for are those that increase the sorting, processing, and manufacturing or remanufacturing capacity of glass, tyres, plastic, paper and cardboard in regional and remote locations.
Applications are open from 13 September 2021 to 31 January 2022.
Performing Arts & Music Festival Grants
2022 National Science Week
To be eligible the project must be directed towards a science-related activity that will be conducted in Australia during National Science Week 2022, or where appropriate, in the week before or after National Science Week 2022.
Applications will close at 5.00pm AEDT 21 October 2021
nbn™ Grants Program
Applications are now open for the 2021 Innovate with nbn™ Grants Program – delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute. There is $95,000 in total funding up for grabs to support regional and remote businesses drive the development and adoption of their bright ideas. Businesses are encouraged to apply for one of the seven categories including: Agriculture, Arts, Education, Health, Indigenous Business, Tourism and Women in Regional Business.
Applications are open now and close on close 30 November 2021.
2022 Science and Innovation Awards
Grant applications are now open for the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry! This competitive annual grants program supports young Australians aged 18-35 by funding projects that will benefit Australia’s primary industries.
In partnership with Australia’s leading research and development corporations and industry associations, there are 12 industry categories each worth up to $22,000 (inc GST).
NSW Government’s Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant
NSW Government’s Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant
Eligible businesses receiving either the Small Business Grant or the Hospitality and Tourism Grant can receive:
- $10,000 for a decline in turnover of 70%, or more
- $7000 for a decline in turnover of 50%, or more
- $5000 for a decline in turnover of 30%, or more.
Modern Manufacturing Strategy
$800 million is available to provide co-funding of up to one third of eligible project costs. This will be through grants between $20 million and $200 million to support large-scale projects that will transform the manufacturing sector by increasing collaboration, and building scale to enhance growth and competitiveness in the National Manufacturing Priority (NMP) areas
Export Assistance Grant NSW
Funds can be used for marketing materials, website internationalization, pivoting to online delivery, e-commerce development, market research, international tradeshow and trade missions, inbound business support, costs to support compliance/localisation of products for export and costs to protect business in international markets.
Export Market Development Grants
Applications open on 1 July each year. If you are doing the application yourself, you need to lodge your application by 30 November. If you are using an approved EMDG consultant, they need to lodge your application by 2 March.
Jobs Plus Program
If you want to enter or expand your business in NSW by starting a project that will create jobs, Jobs Plus could help reduce the costs and financial risks for your company, while strengthening the local economy.
Companies must apply for Jobs Plus and start hiring new staff before 30 June 2022. All new staff must also live, and be paid, in NSW.