Government Programs and Support

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Government Programs and Support for Small Business

Need help? Get expert information on grants, financial aid, skill training and other benefits from both the state and federal government. It's easier than you think.

Programs, funding and resources that help businesses grow

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Suzi Dafnis Australian Businesswomen’s Network

Goverment Programs and Support for small business Programs, funding and resources that help businesses grow

Goverment Programs and Support for small business Programs, funding and resources that help businesses grow

Fiona De Zotti Australian Businesswomen’s Network

Susan McGrath Susan Wareham Migration Consulting

Government Programs and Support for small business Programs, funding and resources that help businesses grow

Where are you?

Government Programs and Support for small business

A Smorgasbord of Offerings!

•  Grants, rebates and subsidies

•  Programs

•  Training

•  Tenders and Procurement Opportunities

•  Free Resources!


Grants, Rebates and Subsidies Some common questions:

•  What’s the difference?

•  Where do I find them?

•  How do I apply?

•  Do I need to pay them back?

•  IS IT REALLY RAINING MONEY?


Grants, Rebates and Subsidies


Where do I find out about them?

•  Internet via generic search engines

•  State and Federal government websites

•  Government media releases

•  Print media



How do I apply?

•  Complex application process

•  Tight deadlines

•  Follow instructions EXACTLY

•  Read information kit carefully

Is it really raining money?


•  In some cases, yes !

o EMDG

o R&D tax offset - up to 175% of eligible funds invested in research and development

•  “Urban myth” that funding is always available for certain groups or purposes

•  For-profit organisations might need to adapt terms of project or be auspiced to apply



Grantees’ legal responsibilities…

•  Remember you’ve signed off on a legal contract

•  Independent audit at conclusion of project

•  Requirement to pay back funding if responsibilities not met

•  If problems arise, advise the funder as soon as possible

Government Programs for Small Business


•  Ongoing initiatives funded predominantly by government

•  National and State-based

•  Cover all stages of a business’ growth

•  Growing trend towards tailored programs for micro and home based businesses

Government Programs for Small Business


Examples of programs offered nationally by Federal and State governments:

•  Low cost advisory services to small business through federally funded Business Enterprise Centres

•  Regional Business Development Schemes

•  Export advisory services/trade missions/introductions to overseas contacts

Tenders and Procurement Opportunities


•  Government refers to tenders as Approaches To Market (ATMs) – www.tenders.gov.au

•  177 national tenders currently open, for provision of services as well as goods

•  Each State, Territory and Local Government also offers ATMs

•  Moves underway to make tendering more small-business friendly and cut the red tape significantly

Free or Low Cost Resources Thousands of quality resources available nationally and via State/Territory governments:

• Business establishment and management information – e.g. NSW Government’s HOMEBIZ kit

• Business feasibility and planning templates

• Licensing, regulatory and legal information

• Free online business skills training e.g. Qld Govt’s SmartSkills

• Low cost business research services, workshops and seminars


Case Study – •  Funded by a $25,000 Women’s Leadership Development

Capacity Building Grant from the Federal Office for Women

•  Wrote it from the funder’s perspective, not our own

•  Researched OfW’s strategic priorities and political agenda

•  Ascertained aims of program and selection criteria

•  Tailored application to address OfW’s priorities and goals – as well as addressing the LDCB program’s aims


Case Study – •  Hard-hitting, succinct and goal-focused

•  Demonstrated our success in acquitting previous grants, our large community and networks; and our successful project management experience

•  Based on extensive quantitative and qualitative research, detailed financial projections and budgets

•  Took around 60 hours to research, analyse, draft and review our winning application


Thank you!

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