This article explains the major small-business grants available in Queensland and across Australia. Each section outlines who provides the grant, what it covers, eligibility rules, disqualifications, examples of business types, and a direct link to the official program page. It also highlights how these small business government grants compare with other programs such as small business grants NSW and national schemes.
Program Overview
| Program | Provider | Grant Size | Co-contribution | Best For | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basics | DESBT | $7,500 | None | Micro businesses needing advice, websites, or planning | Last round closed late 2024 |
| Business Boost | DESBT | $10,000–$20,000 | 50% | Small businesses (2–19 staff) upgrading systems or planning | Next round TBA |
| Business Growth Fund (BGF) | DESBT | $50,000–$75,000 | ≥40% | Growth-ready firms buying specialised equipment | Round 7 planned Nov–Dec 2025 |
| Made in Queensland (MIQ) | Dept. of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water | $50,000–$2.5m | 50% | Manufacturers adopting advanced tech | Round 7 Stage 1 completed June 2025 |
| Tourism Grants | Dept. of Tourism and Sport | Varies | Varies | Tourism operators upgrading systems or visitor products | Ongoing programs |
| Social Enterprise Grants / DTET page | DESBT / DTET | Varies | Varies | For-purpose businesses with measurable social impact | Rolling rounds |
| Secure Communities Partnership | DESBT + Local Government | Up to $400,000 (to councils) | Council co-contribution | Councils upgrading precinct safety | Round 1 closed Jul 2025 |
| Disaster Assistance | QRIDA under DRFA | Event-specific | N/A | Businesses hit by declared disasters | Ongoing, event-based |
| Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) | Austrade | Tiered matched funding | Yes | Exporters marketing overseas | Closed; future rounds TBA |
| Industry Growth Program (IGP) | Commonwealth Dept. of Industry, Science and Resources | $50,000–$5m | Matched | SMEs in NRF sectors | Rolling |
Business Basics
Provider: Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).
Link: Business Basics Grant
Funding: $7,500 paid upfront. No co-contribution.
Eligibility:
- Less than five employees.
- Queensland head office, ABN, GST registered.
- At least one year of trading and turnover under $300,000.
Disqualifications: General operating costs, ongoing advertising spend, hardware purchases, related-party suppliers, crypto payments.
Business fit: A small café building a professional website, a tradie developing a business plan, or a sole trader commissioning a marketing strategy.
Business Boost
Provider: DESBT.
Link: Business Boost Grant
Funding: $10,000–$20,000. Requires 50% co-contribution.
Eligibility:
- Between 2–19 staff.
- Queensland head office, GST registered.
- Turnover above $300,000, profitable last year.
- Public website.
Disqualifications: Marketing or advertising delivery, standard software (Office 365, Google Workspace), wages, memberships, hosting costs, stock, or rent.
Business fit: A professional services firm rolling out HR software, a retail store introducing automated stock systems, or a trades business implementing scheduling software.
Business Growth Fund (BGF)
Provider: DESBT.
Link: Business Growth Fund
Funding: $50,000–$75,000 with minimum 40% co-contribution.
Eligibility:
- 5–49 employees.
- Queensland head office, five years trading.
- Turnover above $500,000, proven growth of 20%+ over two years.
Disqualifications: Vehicles, salaries, marketing services, stock, rent, or projects started before approval.
Business fit: A manufacturer buying CNC equipment, a logistics operator adding scanning systems, or a food producer investing in automated packaging.
Made in Queensland (MIQ)
Provider: Dept. of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
Link: Made in Queensland
Funding: $50,000–$2.5m with 50% co-contribution.
Eligibility:
- SME manufacturer based in Queensland.
- 5–200 employees.
- Two-stage application with detailed project plans.
Disqualifications: General operating costs, routine business expenses, and wages.
Business fit: A plastics manufacturer adopting robotics, a metals company introducing IoT systems, or a food plant investing in energy-efficient machinery.
Tourism Grants
Provider: Dept. of Tourism and Sport.
Link: Tourism Grants
Funding: Varies by program.
Eligibility: Registered tourism businesses that can show clear visitor outcomes and economic benefits.
Disqualifications: General business costs not tied to tourism impact.
Business fit: Tour operators creating eco-tour packages, hotels adding digital booking systems, or attractions improving accessibility.
Social Enterprise Grants
Provider: DESBT and DTET.
Links: DESBT Social Enterprise Grants | DTET Social Enterprise Grants
Funding: Varies by stream.
Eligibility:
- Must show trading activity.
- Governance structure in place.
- Measurable social outcomes.
Business fit: A disability services enterprise, a youth employment group, or a First Nations cooperative.
Secure Communities Partnership
Provider: DESBT with local councils.
Link: Secure Communities Partnership
Funding: Up to $400,000 for councils.
Eligibility: Councils apply with input from local businesses and police.
Business fit: Small retailers benefit indirectly through safer precincts.
Disaster Assistance
Provider: QRIDA under DRFA.
Link: QRIDA Disaster Assistance
Funding: Event-specific grants and concessional loans.
Eligibility: Businesses in declared disaster zones.
Business fit: Shops, farms, or service providers replacing lost stock or equipment.
Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)
Provider: Austrade.
Link: Austrade EMDG
Funding: Tiered matched funding.
Eligibility: Australian SMEs exporting or planning to export.
Business fit: Companies attending international trade shows, developing foreign marketing campaigns, or protecting IP abroad.
Industry Growth Program (IGP)
Provider: Commonwealth Dept. of Industry, Science and Resources.
Link: Industry Growth Program
Funding: $50,000–$5m matched.
Eligibility: SMEs in National Reconstruction Fund sectors.
Business fit: Startups or SMEs moving from prototype to market.
If You’re Just Starting Out
If you are a new business in Queensland looking at small business start up grants, one of the first steps is to set up your website and get found on Google. Grants can cover planning or digital tools, but they will not pay for ongoing SEO or ad campaigns. This is where a tailored service can help.
I run a product called the Get Found! (local SEO) Package. It is designed for small businesses that want to get their website and local search visibility moving fast. If you are interested in combining grant funding with practical help on your online presence, I am happy to jump on a call and talk through what I can offer.