How to Check If Your Business Is Eligible for a Government Grant

1. Confirm the applicant

Read the definitions in the current guidelines. ‘Small business’, ‘startup’ and ‘Australian business’ can have program-specific meanings. Check which legal entity must apply and whether the ABN, GST registration, incorporation, trading history, turnover and employee limits apply to that entity or a connected group.

• Eligible entity and ownership
• ABN, GST or incorporation requirements
• Turnover and employee thresholds
• Trading history and solvency declarations
• Any excluded applicants or industries

2. Confirm the place

Some programs require the applicant to operate in a jurisdiction; others require the funded activity, asset or jobs to be located there. Regional programs may use specific postcodes or local government areas. Do not rely on a mailing address if the project site is elsewhere.

• Registered and trading address
• Project or equipment location
• Regional or priority-area definition
• Required period of operation at the site

3. Confirm the project and costs

Match each planned activity and budget line to the eligible expenditure section. Ordinary operating costs, previously purchased equipment, internal labour, taxes, finance charges or related-party costs may be excluded or restricted. The program delegate or administrator makes the final decision under the guidelines.

Check whether the project must be new, additional, innovative or aligned with a named policy objective. Competitive programs assess merit after eligibility, so being eligible does not mean an application will be funded.

• Eligible project activities
• Eligible expenditure categories
• Excluded or capped costs
• Required outcomes and assessment criteria
• Evidence such as quotes, plans or partner letters

4. Confirm money and timing

A grant may cover only a percentage of eligible project costs. Work out the cash or permitted in-kind contribution and how you will evidence it. Also check the earliest eligible expenditure date, project period and whether a signed grant agreement is required before work starts.

Write unresolved questions in plain language and ask the official program contact before committing expenditure. Keep a copy of the answer and the version of the guidelines you relied on.

• Grant percentage and maximum amount
• Cash versus in-kind contribution
• Evidence that funds are available
• Application, approval and project start dates
• No assumption that approval or payment is guaranteed