Call for Applications: Small Business Grants (Australia)

The City of Melbourne is inviting applications for the Small Business Grants program, which supports the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses within the City of Melbourne.

Program Overview

Small businesses funded through this program will drive growth through job creation and introduce new solutions and ways of doing business into the city. The program aligns with the Economic Development Strategy 2031, ensuring Melbourne is one of the easiest places to start and grow a business, encouraging innovation and start-up creation. It also enhances the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business vitality, diversity, and inclusiveness, contributing to the city's economy and community.

Definition of a Small Business: An organisation that employs fewer than 20 full-time or equivalent employees.

Program Objectives

The program objectives for this round are to encourage the establishment and growth of small businesses that:

Enhance the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business innovation, creativity, diversity, and inclusiveness
Strengthen the local economy’s resilience with a sound business model and long-term financial viability
Create employment and investment opportunities
Enhance the city’s vitality by demonstrating a unique point-of-difference, providing a social benefit or impact to the community, and having a positive environmental impact
Increase the occupancy rate of shopfronts across the municipality

Funding Information

The program will support new businesses or existing businesses looking to expand or relocate within the municipality. Applicants may choose one of the following four streams, with up to $25,000 (excl GST) per applicant:

Open stream: For any small business operating within the municipality that meets the eligibility criteria and program objectives
Social enterprise stream: For businesses that derive most of their income from trade and use profits to contribute to a social mission
Circular economy stream: For businesses delivering circular outcomes or implementing solutions to avoid, reduce, or design out waste
Shopfront occupancy stream: For businesses occupying ground floor, street-facing commercial shopfronts that have been vacant for more than four months

Key Shopfront Occupancy Focus Areas: An additional $5,000 is available for businesses occupying a vacant shopfront in Docklands or the eastern and western fringes of the Central Business District.

Eligible Funding Costs

Capital improvement costs for business premises fit-out (e.g., furniture, cabinetry, flooring, shelving, etc.)
Website development or enhancements
IT equipment purchases (e.g., computers, laptops, servers, etc.)
Specialised equipment and software directly related to new business operations or expansion
Other expenditures necessary for business setup or expansion

Non-Fundable Costs

Operational expenses such as rent, utilities, legal costs, marketing, subscriptions, and wages
Expenditures incurred prior to the grant application
Anything outside of the agreed budget
Activities that pollute land, air, or water, or destroy non-renewable resources

Eligibility Criteria

Businesses located or committed to relocating within six months to the City of Melbourne municipality
Australian Business Number (ABN) and less than 20 full-time equivalent employees
Must be an Australian registered business, sole trader, company, cooperative, or partnership
Appropriate business insurances and no outstanding debts to the City of Melbourne

Ineligibility Criteria

Applicants with outstanding debts to the City of Melbourne
Franchisees, subsidiaries of larger companies, unincorporated associations
Government departments, political organisations, or entities that offend parts of the community