The short answer
A co-contribution is the part of the project cost you pay yourself. "Matched" or "dollar for dollar" funding means you put in at least as much as the grant. Quotes are how you prove what the project costs, so the grant amount, your share and the quotes all have to agree.
How co-contributions work
- Dollar for dollar. The grant pays up to half. A grant of up to $10,000 matched dollar for dollar means a $20,000 project can get $10,000, and you fund the other $10,000. A $12,000 project gets $6,000.
- A percentage. Some programs set your share as a percentage of the project instead, such as 25%.
- Cash or in-kind. Some programs only count cash; others accept in-kind contributions such as your own labour or equipment. The guidelines say which.
- Not from the grant. Your share has to come from your own funds or other allowed sources, and you may be asked to show you have it.
Getting quotes that hold up
- Get written, itemised quotes from the supplier, dated, with their business name and ABN.
- Check how many quotes the guidelines ask for, and whether the funder wants you to explain your choice of supplier.
- Make every budget line match a quote. Show GST the way the guidelines ask (many grants are quoted excluding GST).
- Don't sign or pay before the outcome unless the guidelines allow it. Many programs won't fund costs already incurred.
Programs we track that need a co-contribution
- Accessibility Improvement Grant (Universal Tourism Grant) · Latrobe City Council · Up to $25,000 (Major) or $3,000 (Minor) · Closes 30 Oct 2026
- Business to Business (B2B) Grant Program 2026-27 · City of Whittlesea · Up to $10,000 (matched dollar for dollar) · Closes 31 Dec 2026
- Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program Sustainment Grants · Australian Government · Grants from $50,000 up to $250,000 to fund up to 50% of eligible project expenditure for phase 1 and 2. Phase 3 and 4 funding will be determined by the Department of Defence in accordance with the amount outlined in your supporting business case. · Closes 30 Jun 2028
- Bayside Business Accessibility Grants 2026-27 · Bayside City Council · Up to $1,000 (ramps) or $10,000 (upgrades) · Guidelines say open until June 2027 or until funds run out (the application portal shows 6 Jun 2028)
- Victorian Supply Chain Uplift Program · Victorian Government · Matched funding of between $2,000 and $100,000. · Closing date not stated
- Defence Industry Development Grants Program · Australian Government · Grants up to: Sovereign Industrial Priorities stream – $1,000,000 Skilling stream – $250,000 Exports stream – $250,000 Security stream – $100,000. Grants will cover up to 50% of eligible expenditure. · Closing date not stated
- CSIRO Kick-Start · Australian Government · Matched funding between $20,000 and $60,000. · Closing date not stated
- WaterSmart Business Rebate VIC · Victorian Government · Rebates for 50% of the total expenditure up to a maximum of $1,500 per property. · Closing date not stated
- Trunk Infrastructure Fund · Department of Government Services · $500,000 - $2,000,000 · Open, no fixed closing date
Each page shows the current status, the amount and the official guidelines. For how council rounds work, see how to apply for a council business grant in Victoria.
Common questions
What does dollar-for-dollar matched funding mean?
For every dollar of grant money, you put in at least one dollar of your own. A grant of up to $10,000 matched dollar for dollar needs a project of at least $20,000 to get the full amount.
Can the grant pay for my share?
No. Your co-contribution has to come from your own funds (or other sources the guidelines allow), not from the grant itself.
Which grants need a co-contribution?
9 of the programs we track, listed on this page.
Can someone write the application for me?
Yes. We check your business against the criteria and write the application, including the budget; you read it, sign it and submit it. Nothing to pay unless you win. If you do, the fee is 12% of the grant money you receive, capped at A$3,000 + GST.
Page updated 28 Oct 2026. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each funder's guidelines are what count.
Get told when a new grant fits your business
Tell us your business once. We find the grants it qualifies for now, then check every new grant against it and email you when one fits. If you want one, we write the application. Nothing to pay unless you win.