The short answer
Victorian councils run their own business grants, usually in rounds with a fixed opening and closing date. You apply to the council for the area your business operates in, through the council's online grants portal (most councils that run business grants use SmartyGrants). The guidelines for each round set who can apply, what the money can be spent on and what you need to attach.
What council business grants usually fund
Common themes are shopfront and façade upgrades, accessibility works, business events, buying services from local suppliers, energy upgrades and business growth. See the councils we track and the shopfront and accessibility grants.
Step by step
- Check the location rule. Most council grants are for businesses operating in that municipality, and some also need a premises, a lease or membership of the council's business network.
- Read the round's guidelines in full: eligibility, eligible and ineligible costs, the assessment criteria, and whether you can start work before the outcome. Many programs won't fund costs you've already paid.
- Get written quotes for the project. They set your budget and are often a required attachment. See co-contributions and quotes.
- Check the co-contribution. If the grant is matched, you'll need to show you can fund your share.
- Get permissions early: your landlord's consent for works to a leased building, and any planning or building permits the works need, if the guidelines ask for them.
- Register on the council's grants portal and start a draft well before the deadline. Note the closing time as well as the date.
- Answer each assessment criterion with specifics: what you'll do, what it costs, and the benefit to your business and the local area.
- Submit, keep a copy and the receipt. If you're funded, read the funding agreement, keep every receipt and diarise the report (acquittal) date.
Council business grants open now
- Accessibility Improvement Grant (Universal Tourism Grant) · Latrobe City Council · Up to $25,000 (Major) or $3,000 (Minor) · Closes 30 Oct 2026
- Love Your West: Night Time Diversification (Quick Response) 2026/27 · Maribyrnong City Council · Up to $10,000 · Closes 12 Nov 2026
- Hume City Shopfront Improvement Grant Program 2026/27 · Hume City Council · Up to $7,500 (plus GST) · Closes 27 Nov 2026
- West Wimmera Business Assistance Grant (Small Business Development Grant) · West Wimmera Shire Council · Not stated · Closes 17 Dec 2026
- Business to Business (B2B) Grant Program 2026-27 · City of Whittlesea · Up to $10,000 (matched dollar for dollar) · Closes 31 Dec 2026
- Business Events and Conferences Fund 2026-27 · Warrnambool City Council · Up to $5,000 · Closes 31 May 2027
- Retrofit Melbourne Financial Incentive Scheme 2026-27 · City of Melbourne · Up to $2,500 (benchmarking) or $7,500 (action plan) · Closes 30 Jun 2027
- Shopfront Business Grants Program 2026-27 · City of Melbourne · Up to $20,000 (excluding GST) · Open until 30 June 2027 or until funding runs out
- West Wimmera Shopfront Improvement Grant 2026/27 · West Wimmera Shire Council · Up to $5,000 (plus GST) · Closes 30 Jun 2027 or earlier if the yearly budget runs out
- Accommodation Provider EV Charger Grant · Murrindindi Shire Council · Up to $2,000 · Open, no fixed closing date
- 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)
All councils we track
The number is how many grants each council has open right now. Each council page stays up between rounds.
- Bayside City Council1
- City of Melbourne2
- City of Whittlesea1
- Hume City Council1
- Latrobe City Council1
- Maribyrnong City Council1
- Murrindindi Shire Council1
- Warrnambool City Council1
- West Wimmera Shire Council2
Common questions
Can I apply for a council grant if my business is outside the council area?
Usually not. Council business grants are for businesses operating in that municipality, and many also ask for a premises there. Check the location criteria in the round's guidelines.
Do council grants have to be paid back?
A grant isn't a loan, but it comes with a funding agreement. You spend it on what was approved, keep receipts and report on it. If you don't, the council can ask for it back. Read the agreement before you sign.
How many council business grants are open now?
11 that we track, listed on this page and on council grants.
Can someone write the application for me?
Yes. We check your business against the criteria and write the application; 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.