Small Business Grants in Australia That Can Fund Marketing

Small business grants are funds from federal, state and local governments (and some industry bodies) that help businesses pay for specific projects, and most don’t have to be repaid. Grants rarely pay for everyday marketing, but some programs can fund export marketing, digital adoption, events or regional growth projects. The main place to search for small business grants in Australia is the business.gov.au grants and programs finder, which lists current programs by state and industry.

Are there any grants for small business?

Yes. At any time, there are many government grants for small business open across Australia, but they come and go, and most target a specific purpose, industry or region. In November 2026, the business.gov.au grants and programs finder listed programs such as funding for regional event organisers, digital adoption help for tourism businesses, business growth programs, cyber security funding, disaster recovery grants and loans for primary producers. Each has its own rules, deadline and location.

Grants for a small business usually fall into these groups:

• Growth and innovation: new products, equipment, research or expansion.
• Export: marketing and promoting goods and services overseas.
• Digital and cyber: adopting new technology or improving security.
• Regional and community: projects that create jobs or benefit a local area.
• Events and tourism: running events or developing visitor experiences.
• Energy and sustainability: cutting energy use or emissions.
• Recovery: support after floods, fires, drought or other disasters.
• Training and employment: skills, apprentices and new staff.

Can a small business grant pay for marketing?

Sometimes, but usually only when the marketing is part of the funded project. A grant rarely pays for ongoing advertising or social media management on its own. Examples where marketing can be included:

• Export marketing: the federal Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program supports Australian small and medium businesses to market and promote their goods and services overseas and to do export training. When we checked in November 2026, applications for Round 4 had closed and no new round was open (Austrade: EMDG).
• Event funding: event grants often allow promotion of the event as part of the budget.
• Tourism and regional programs: some fund marketing of new visitor experiences or regional products.
• Digital adoption programs: some help with websites, online selling or digital tools.

Read the guidelines for what counts as eligible spending before you plan your budget.

Where can I find small business grants?

1. business.gov.au grants and programs finder: the federal government’s search tool, which includes many state and territory programs. Filter by location, industry and what you need funding for.
2. Your state government’s business agency: each state and territory runs its own grants and programs, often listed on business.gov.au too.
3. Your local council: many councils run small grants for events, shopfronts, community projects or local business.
4. Industry bodies and regional development organisations: some run or promote programs for their sector or area.
5. Newsletters: subscribe to updates from business.gov.au, your state agency and council so you hear when rounds open.

How do I qualify for a small business grant?

Each grant sets its own eligibility, but common requirements include:

• An active ABN, and often registration for GST.
• Being based in, or operating in, a particular state, region or council area.
• A business size limit, such as a maximum number of employees or turnover.
• Working in an eligible industry.
• A project that matches the grant’s purpose and hasn’t started yet.
• Being able to contribute your own funds (many grants are matched, so you pay part of the cost).

How to apply for a small business grant

1. Read the guidelines in full, including eligibility, eligible costs, assessment criteria and the closing date.
2. Check you fit before you write. If you’re unsure, contact the program’s team.
3. Plan the project: what you’ll do, when, what it costs and what it will achieve.
4. Get quotes for the costs you’re claiming.
5. Answer each criterion directly, with evidence and numbers where you have them.
6. Submit early through the program’s portal and keep a copy.
7. If you’re successful, sign the agreement, keep receipts and meet the reporting rules.

Our grant and award submissions service can help write the application, at $175 + GST an hour with a fixed quote first. We can’t promise funding: that’s decided by the grant body.

Do you have to pay back a small business grant?

Usually not, as long as you spend the money as agreed and meet the grant’s conditions. You may have to repay some or all of it if you don’t complete the project, spend it on ineligible costs or break the agreement. Be aware that the finder also lists loans and rebates, which work differently: loans must be repaid. Grants can also affect your tax, so check with your accountant.

How much is a small business grant?

It varies widely, from small council grants to large state and federal programs. Each program sets its own amounts, and many cover only part of the project cost. Check the current guidelines for the program you’re applying to.

Are there any grants for starting a small business?

There are fewer grants for brand-new businesses than for established ones, because many programs require a trading history. Some states and programs support new or young businesses, and business.gov.au also lists free advice and mentoring. Our New Business Package ($4,995 + GST) covers a logo, business cards, a Google Business Profile, social media set-up and a responsive landing page if you’re starting out without grant funding.

How we help

If you win a grant that includes marketing, we can help deliver it: a website, campaign, event promotion or export materials, quoted against the grant’s eligible costs. Our marketing partnerships start from $4,500 + GST a month for 28 hours of work, and our website packages from $5,000 + GST.

Frequently asked questions

How to get a small business grant fast?

There’s no shortcut: grants open and close on their own timelines. Keep your business details, financials and a project plan ready, so you can apply as soon as a suitable round opens.

Can I apply for more than one grant?

Often yes, but some programs don’t allow the same costs to be funded twice. Check each program’s rules.

Are marketing grants available in Australia?

Grants just for general marketing are rare. Marketing is more often funded as part of an export, event, tourism or digital project.

Can I start my project before the grant is approved?

Usually not. Many grants don’t cover costs spent before approval, so wait for the agreement unless the guidelines say otherwise.

The short version

Small business grants in Australia fund specific projects and usually don’t need repaying. Search the business.gov.au finder, your state agency and council, read the guidelines closely, and expect marketing to be funded only as part of a wider project.

If you’d like help with a grant application or the marketing it funds, book a free 30-minute discovery call.