Ever thought, “Surely I deserve a refund for all the tax I’ve paid"? Well this article might be for you.
The government has a stash of money set aside to help businesses like yours grow. The catch? It’s buried under a pile of forms and fine print.
Well, time to grab a shovel — because the treasure’s there, and we’re going to tell you where to dig.
We’ve rounded up the top 6 places to keep an eye on for grants. Check in regularly — you never know when there might be a pile of “free cash” with your name on it. And let’s be honest, wouldn’t it be nice to see some of your tax dollars boomerang back your way for a change?
1. Business.gov.au – Grants & Programs Finder
- Why it’s good: This is the #1 starting point. It covers both federal and state grants in one place, and you can filter for small business size, industry, and location.
- Best for: General grants, digital adoption programs, energy incentives, regional support.
👉 Search grants here
2. Business Victoria – Grants & Programs
- Why it’s good: The official Victorian Government treasure chest. It lists all current and upcoming grants specifically tailored to Victorian small businesses.
- Best for: State-specific grants like Business Growth, Digital Adaptation, and Energy Efficiency.
If your business is outside of Victoria, your state will have a similar site – just throw it into google.
👉 Explore Business Victoria grants
3. GrantConnect (Australian Government)
- Why it’s good: The federal government’s central register of all open and forecasted grants. While some are for big players, plenty of SME-friendly programs appear here first.
- Best for: Keeping ahead of upcoming federal programs before they open.
👉 Browse GrantConnect
4. AusIndustry (Department of Industry, Science & Resources)
- Why it’s good: AusIndustry manages the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive, and other innovation and commercialisation programs that many small businesses don’t realise they qualify for.
- Best for: R&D Tax Incentive, Industry Growth Programs, and small business innovation support.
In the coming months we will do a deep dive into the R&D Tax incentives, but for now check out the website below or give us a call if you want more details.
👉 Visit AusIndustry
5. LaunchVic
- Why it’s good: Victoria’s dedicated startup cheer squad. Offers grants, accelerator programs, and sector-specific initiatives — ideal for early-stage and growth-phase small businesses.
- Best for: Startups and scale-ups in Victoria seeking mentoring, seed funding, or acceleration.
👉 Check LaunchVic grants
6. Local Business Grants - City of Greater Geelong
- Why it’s good: Local councils often run targeted programs for small businesses, including grants for growth, innovation, and community impact.
- Best for: Local-based businesses looking for grassroots funding opportunities close to home.
Not in Geelong? Google your local council + “business grants” to see what’s going in your backyard.
👉 View Greater Geelong business grants
Final word
So there you have it, X marks the spot. Start digging and you never know what you might find.
Just a heads up, we'll update you if something comes across our desk, but it's best if you keep an eye on these grants so ou don't miss out.
Check out this month’s tip in our newsletter for one of our favourite grants for hard working business owners like yourself. And if you need any help sifting through eligibility or anything else, you know where to find us.
– The team at PAL (making accounting slightly less boring since way back when)
Disclaimer: This article is here to give you general info only, not professional advice specific to your unique situation. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, the content may change over time. We can’t take responsibility for any decisions based on the contents of this article, so be sure to chat with your accountant or advisor first!
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