Please note: this is an old article
It was published in May 2013, so the information may be out-of-date.
If you are looking for financial support and training programs to help improve your business or your community, through the Local, State and Federal Government, Business and philanthropic organisations, there are a range of funding and support services available.
- Australia POST-Our Neighbourhood
Grants are now open for applications and will close on Friday, 28 June 2013 at 5pm.
Our Neighbourhood Community Grants are open to eligible registered charities and community organisations for amounts of between $1,000 and $25,000 to support local projects.
Grants will be awarded to organisations with projects that help connect local communities and foster inclusion across Australian neighbourhoods.
more information here
- Streetlife
Applications for Round 2 of Streetlife are now open and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 23 July 2013.
Streetlife is a Victorian Government initiative to provide targeted support to small businesses in local shopping precincts to assist them to better attract and retain customers. Councils, business and trader groups and small shopfront businesses in local areas will work together to develop targeted projects to improve the competitiveness and economic outcomes of their local shopping precinct.
more information here
- New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
Ongoing. If you are an eligible job seeker and are interested in starting and running a small business, you may be able to access assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). NEIS can provide you with accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring, as well as ongoing income support for up to 52 weeks.
more information here
- Grow Your Business
Open for Applications. Grow Your Business is a program designed to help small businesses, develop and implement strategies to become internationally competitive. A range of planning and management services are offered.
more information here
- Skilled and Business Migration Program
Ongoing. The Skilled and Business Migration Program works with Victorian industry and employers to identify and address skill shortages that cannot be met locally and aims to attract high calibre, experienced overseas skilled professionals, tradespeople, business owners and investors to Victoria to meet ongoing workforce needs.
more information here
- Industry for Today and Tomorrow
Open for Applications. This program facilitates the development of regionally-based medium to large businesses with high growth potential and encourages new industry investment in regional locations.
more information here
- Clean Technology Innovation Program
Open for applications. The $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is a competitive, merit-based grants program that will support applied research and development, proof of concept and early stage commercialisation activities that lead to the development of new clean technologies and associated services including low emission and energy efficient solutions, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide grants between $50,000 and $5 million on a co-investment basis of one dollar of government funding for each one dollar of the applicant's investment.
more information here
- Export Design Program
The Export Design Program helps connect Victorian designers with global markets by subsidising either the cost of conducting export market research or their attendance at international trade fairs and expos that have particular relevance and importance, or meetings to arrange or confirm sales contracts.
Applicants must demonstrate the relevance of the nominated event to their business and how their attendance at the event is expected to increase their export opportunities and global competitiveness.
more information here
- Certain Inputs to Manufacture (CIM)
Open to applications. The Certain Inputs to Manufacture (CIM) Program aims to improve the competitiveness of Australian industry by providing import duty concessions on certain imported raw materials and intermediate goods such as chemical, plastics or paper goods. In addition, CIM covers metal materials and goods which are used for the packaging of food.
Should you have an inquiry about CIM, please contact the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or email: hotline@ausindustry.gov.au
more information here
- Commercialisation Australia
Ongoing. Stage 1 Open for Applications. A competitive, merit-based assistance program offering funding and resources to accelerate the business building process for Australian companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors looking to commercialise innovative intellectual property. It offers a range of funding options as well as multi-layered networking opportunities to help you achieve business success.
more information here
- Food & Fibre Marketing Cooperative Grants
Ongoing. Expressions of Interest Open. Managed in partnership by the Department of Primary Industries and Rural Finance, the Food and Fibre Marketing Cooperatives Grants program provides funding to promote the establishment of new marketing cooperatives in the food and fibre industries.
more information here
- Global Acceleration Program (GAP)
Ongoing. Expressions of Interest open. Assistance available for companies to become export-ready. The Global Acceleration Program (GAP) program provides assistance and mentoring to Victorian companies to develop market entry strategies for the US or China. The Global Acceleration Program (GAP) forms part of the The Smart SMEs Innovation Commercialisation Program (ICP). Places in GAP are limited and are made available on a competitive basis.
more information here
- Global Connections (Film Victoria)
Ongoing. Different Closing dates published on Film Victoria. Supports Victorian Film producers to attend overseas markets and undertake international business travel to benefit financing, sales, marketing and business opportunities
more information here
- Country Victoria Events program - Tourism Victoria
Round 2 Open. Closing Date: 01 October 2013. As part of Tourism Victoria's Events Program, the Country Victoria Events Program(CVEP) provides up to $10,000 per event to assist with event delivery and marketing.
more information here
If you have any questions in relation to grants and funding or would like some help to check the eligibility of your project, please contact Council's Grants and Economic Research Coordinator on (03) 5832 9477.