Funding
COVID-19 financial support
The Australian and State Governments are providing businesses with a variety of financial support programs and assistance. Find out more.
General financial support
Grants and other funding programs may be available from the Australian, State and Territory governments and, in some cases, from local councils.
Generally there are few grants available for starting a business, and those available are competitive or only available for specific circumstances. The following table of grants and funding sources is put together by Business Tasmania.
We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. Sign up to our newsletter for updates on grant or loan funding opportunities. The Australian Government Business grants and assistance page also gives a comprehensive list of government grants.
There is, also, a range of practical assistance available for business activities such as expanding your business, innovation, exporting, and research and development.Business Tasmania offers free business advice to all Tasmanian small businesses through our statewide network of independent advisors, Enterprise Centres Tasmania.
Please note
The Department of State Growth has received a number of reports of private operators approaching businesses selling information about government business grants. This information is publicly and freely available on this page and the Federal Government website.
No Australian government - federal, state or local - charges an online fee for any information on grants and funding.
General
Enterprise Centres Tasmania Program Grant – Northern Region 2022 to 2023
Funding to deliver the Enterprise Centres Tasmania program in Tasmania’s northern region, supporting small businesses to establish, grow and thrive.
Read more Read more >Accelerating Commercialisation
Commercialise novel products, services and processes. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more Read more >Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program
The Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program will help drive long term resilience and sustainability by delivering priority projects that mitigate the impact of disasters on communities and economies.
Read more Read more >CSIRO Kick-Start Program
Eligible businesses may get access to dollar-matched funding of $10,000-$50,000 to undertake research activities with CSIRO.
Read more Read more >Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
Defence-related businesses may be eligible for a grant to invest in projects that overcome barriers to accessing export opportunities. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more Read more >Entrepreneurs Programme
This programme uses quality facilitators and advisers, to ensure businesses get the advice and support they need to improve their competitiveness and productivity. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more Read more >Many Rivers Microfinance
Many Rivers works with Australians who want to start or grow a small or micro business.
Read more Read more >No Interest Micro-Business Loan Scheme
The scheme provides small, interest-free loans of up to $3 000 to people on low incomes who want to start their own business or grow an existing one.
Read more Read more >R&D Tax Incentive
Helps businesses offset some of the costs of doing R&D. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more Read more >Skilling Australia's Defence Industry Grants Program
A grant between $5,000 and $500,000 to undertake various defence skills training activities.
Read more Read more >Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants
Help Australian SMEs to invest in projects that build capabilities aligned with Defence's stated Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more Read more >Tradex Scheme
If your business is importing goods that you intend to directly export or incorporate in other exported goods, you may be eligible for exemptions on customs duty and GST.
Read more Read more >Visiting Trade Mark and Patent Attorneys
Provides preliminary consultations and advice to prospective clients, in-confidence, without obligation and free-of-charge.
Read more Read more >Export
Accelerating Trade Grant Program
The program provides grants of up to a 50 per cent contribution towards activities to maximise opportunities for increased trade in markets outside of Tasmania. This includes activities such as promotional events or campaigns, market research and business matching services, and inbound buyer visits.
Read more Read more >Exporter Award Application Support
Apply for $500 in funding to engage a writer to enter national categories for the 2021 Export Awards.
Read more Read more >Export Finance Australia Small Business Export Loan
Export Finance Australia may help small business exporters access the finance their business needs to support an export contract when their bank is unable to do so..
Read more Read more >Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES)
Assists shippers to transport goods by sea, between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.
Read more Read more >Tasmanian Export Freight Logistics Advisory Service (TEFLAS)
The Tasmanian Export Freight Logistics Advisory Service (TEFLAS) is a free service, which helps local small-to-medium businesses optimise their transport operations, connect with transport services, develop new freight channels and identify potential cost savings.
Read more Read more >Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Program
This program provides funding for advanced manufacturers to purchase capital equipment.
Read more Read more >Advanced Manufacturing Tender Incentive Program
This program provides funding for advanced manufacturers to seek professional assistance to prepare defence and other specialist tenders.
Read more Read more >Advanced Manufacturing Business Improvement Program
This program provides funding for advanced manufacturers to undertake business improvement activities.
Read more Read more >Advanced Manufacturing Quality Assurance Program
This program provides funding for advanced manufacturers to achieve quality assurance accreditations that will help to retain or expand their customers or markets.
Read more Read more >Advanced Manufacturing Skills 2 Manufacturing Program
This program provides funding for advanced manufacturers to develop their workforce through non-accredited training.
Read more Read more >Employment incentives
Rapid Response Skills Initiative
Provides up to $3000 towards the cost of training for eligible people who have lost casual, full-time or part-time work in the last 12 months due to retrenchment, downsizing or business closure.
Read more Read more >Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
The Australian Government is providing financial support to all employers who engage a new Australian Apprentice.
Read more Read more >Tasmanian Employer Bonus Fund
The Tasmanian Employer Bonus Fund provides eligible employers with funding of up to $6 500 over six months to meet various costs associated with taking on new, eligible employees. For unemployed Tasmanians, or other specific groups that face barriers to employment, the program will help facilitate secure and sustainable pathways to work. Open until 31 Jan 23 or until funds are expended.
Read more Read more >Payroll tax rebate scheme for apprentices, trainees and youth employees
For large companies employing an eligible apprentice, trainee or youth.
Read more Read more >Job Ready Fund
The program supports Tasmanian jobseekers gain the essential tools they need to get a job - including White Card accreditation, work boots, protective clothing or tools. Eligible Tasmanians can receive up to $500.
Read more Read more >Wage subsidies
Available to employers who hire eligible job seekers including mature age, long-term unemployed, Indigenous, youth or parents.
Read more Read more >Training incentives
Skilling Australia's Defence Industry Grants Program
Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Grants provide businesses servicing the defence sector with upskilling and training opportunities to build skills capacity and capability to meet current or future Defence needs.
Read more Read more >Agribusiness
AgriGrowth Loan Scheme
The scheme offers low interest loans to Tasmanian farm businesses, agri-food businesses and young farmers wanting to progress into their own farm business.
Read more Read more >AgriStarter Loan
Loans of up to $2 million to assist first time farmers; and to support farm succession arrangements.
Read more Read more >Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Pilot Program
This program provides primary producers with rebates of up to $10,000 for advice sought about the costs and benefits of accessing carbon credits, auditing requirements, and on-ground actions that are eligible for carbon credits.
Read more Read more >DairyTas Small Project Grants Program
DairyTas invites applications that encourage dairy industry groups to plan, carry out and promote their own on-farm demonstration or extension project to improve the performance and profitability of dairy farms in their locality.
Read more Read more >Drought loans
The loan will assist farm business owners in eligible areas to prepare for, manage through and recover from drought.
Read more Read more >Farm investment loans
You can apply for this loan to strengthen your farm business, take steps to access markets interstate or outside Australia and prepare for, manage through or recover from drought.
Read more Read more >Landcare Action Grants Program
The program provides funding for practical on-ground works for sustainable agriculture and Rivercare type activities.
Read more Read more >Primary Producer Recovery Loan Scheme
This scheme will provide loans of between $20 000 and $100 000 to Tasmanian primary producers that are located within declared local government areas that have suffered direct damage as a result of the Central Tasmanian Floods from October 2021 and the Southern Tasmanian Hail Storm in December 2021.
Read more Read more >Primary Producer Safety Rebate Scheme
Rebates of $5,000 are available for eligible items that address farm hazards.
Read more Read more >Tourism
Business Growth Loan Scheme
A concessional loan to support Tasmanian businesses to recover, adapt, grow and develop enhanced business models that support employment retention and business growth. Available for new projects as well.
Read more Read more >Events Tasmania
Touring grants
Touring grants of up to $15 000 are available to eligible organisers of auto, motorbike, cycle or walking tours in Tasmania during the winter and shoulder season.
Read more Read more >Event Ready Grant
This round of the Event Ready Grant aims to support events with COVID-19 safety planning.
Read more Read more >Events Tasmania Attraction Fund
This Fund provides support to events that return substantial economic benefits for our state. The program is a competitive process with applications considered by the Major Events Group against set criteria. The program aims to help deliver a regionally balanced event portfolio for Tasmania, spread across the calendar year.
Read more Read more >Arts
Arts Tasmania
Offers a wide range of funding programs to individuals and organisations at different times throughout the year
Read more Read more >Australia Council for the Arts
The Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body. Each year, they deliver funding for arts organisations and individual artists across the country.
Read more Read more >Screen Tasmania
Funding and support through loans, grants and equity investments in the development, production and marketing of Tasmanian screen projects.
Read more Read more >Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Advancing Renewables Program
Supports a broad range of projects that have the potential to lower the cost and increase the use of renewable energy technologies in Australia.
Read more Read more >Business Energy Advice Program
Provides tailored advice and tips to help cut energy costs for small businesses. Speak to a business expert to find out ways you can save.
Read more Read more >Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
CEFC co-finances or co-invests with renewable energy companies in low emissions and energy efficient technologies.
Read more Read more >