There's no shortage of grant listings in Victoria. The hard part is knowing which ones your business can actually get, and doing the application well. Here's what the eligibility rules look like across the 90 programs we track, and where to get help.
What Victorian businesses can actually get
- 38 of the 90 listed programs pay cash (grants or cash rebates). The rest are loans, tax concessions and free services.
- 30 of the 38 cash programs are limited to a sector, such as manufacturing, defence, tourism, retail shopfronts, screen or farming.
- 19 programs need a company (Pty Ltd, with an ACN) or another incorporated entity, including the main federal R&D, innovation and export finance programs.
- 12 programs need you to have or hire staff.
- 12 cash grants come from councils and only fund businesses in that council area. See council grants.
The business that qualifies for the most is a Victorian Pty Ltd trading for two years or more, with about 5 to 19 staff, $250k to $10m turnover and cash to co-fund a project. Sole traders without staff qualify for far fewer cash grants; see grants for sole traders.
Grants open to most industries right now
- Hume City Small Business Grants 2026/27 · Hume City Council · Up to $20,000 (plus GST) · Closes 30 Oct 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
- 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)
- Wage Subsidies · Australian Government · Subsidies up to a maximum of $10,000. · Open, no fixed closing date
- Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System – Employer Incentives · Australian Government · Financial support through incentives. · Closing date not stated
- Wage Subsidy Scheme · Australian Government · Funding of up to $1650. · Closing date not stated
- CSIRO Kick-Start · Australian Government · Matched funding between $20,000 and $60,000. · Closing date not stated
Your options for help
- Do it yourself with our step-by-step guide. Fine for small council grants with a simple form.
- Your accountant or bookkeeper: often needed anyway for financial statements and co-contribution letters.
- A freelance grant writer: usually paid by the hour or per application, win or lose. See grant writer costs.
- Us: we find the grants you qualify for and write the application; you sign and submit it. Nothing to pay unless you win (12% of the grant received, capped at A$3,000 + GST).
Beware anyone who charges for grant lists or promises a grant. Scamwatch warns about government grant scams.
Want a grant applied for, without the paperwork?
We find the grants your business qualifies for and write the whole application. You read it, sign it and submit it. Nothing to pay unless you win.
Check my grantsQuestions
Are there grants for small businesses in Victoria?
Yes. We currently list 90 open federal, Victorian Government and council programs for Victorian businesses, of which 38 pay cash.
Do I need a company to get a grant?
Not always, but 19 of the programs we track need a company or incorporated entity, including the main federal R&D, innovation and export programs. Many council grants accept any business with an ABN.
Is there free help with grant applications?
Government business helplines and some councils' economic development teams can explain programs, and free mentoring programs exist. They generally won't write the application for you.
How much does grant application help cost?
Freelance writers commonly charge from about $50 to $300 or more an hour, or a fixed fee per application. We charge nothing unless you win: then 12% of the grant you receive, capped at A$3,000 + GST.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Grant rules change; always read the official guidelines.