Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses can access dedicated programs including the NIAA Indigenous Business Support grants, IBA finance and equity, and state-level indigenous enterprise programs. These programs support both new and established indigenous businesses to grow, create jobs and build economic independence in communities.
What these grants can fund
- Business start-up costs and working capital
- Business expansion and growth investment
- Skills training and business capacity building
- Export and market access development
- Cultural tourism and experience development
- Land management and ranger enterprises
Common eligibility requirements
- Business must be majority owned by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person(s)
- Some programs require Indigenous Business Australia or ATSI certification
- Applicant must demonstrate business need, viability and community benefit
- Business registration and ABN required
- Some programs are geographically restricted to specific regions or communities
Eligibility varies by program. Always check the official source before applying.
Open programs
Showing 12 of 104A $29.5 million grant awarded to deliver new research, tools and resources enabling regions and communities to transition to a prosperous and sustainable post-mine future. The program focuses on four categories of opportunities: engagement and partnership, waste reduction and recovery, mine rehabilitation, and land use transitions for mining regions.
This grant provides capital funding to high-quality not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to undertake construction for the delivery of new or expanded Centre-Based Day Care (CBDC) services. Organisations will be invited to apply based on consultation with First Nations partners and peak bodies.
A $12 million grant program supporting place-based, First Nations-led initiatives to help communities prepare for dry times and changing climate. Up to six First Nations delivery partners will be selected to work with their communities to design and deliver local projects that build drought and climate resilience.
Loans available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned small businesses to help them start, grow or restructure their operations. Funds can be used for working capital, purchase of existing businesses, plant and equipment, or other commercial assets.
This grant funds implementation research that maximizes collaboration and coordination with sectors and settings beyond the healthcare system to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries and/or underserved populations in high-income countries. For Australian funding, research must focus on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. The grant supports strategies leveraging opportunities provided by settings and sectors beyond the health system while facilitating collaboration with relevant healthcare systems.
This grant supports implementation research that maximizes collaboration across sectors and settings beyond the healthcare system to address chronic non-communicable diseases in underserved populations. Proposals should focus on strategies leveraging opportunities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and/or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, with expected collaboration from relevant healthcare systems.
CRC-P Grants provide matched funding of $100,000 to $3 million for short-term (up to 3 years) industry-led research collaborations. Projects must develop a product, service or process that solves industry problems and benefits SMEs, with eligible costs including new research, proof of concept, pre-commercialisation, and industry-focused education.
This program provides loans to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned production companies to bridge the gap between when production costs are incurred and when the Producer Offset rebate is received. Loans finance Australian documentary, film or television projects.
The Start-up Finance Package provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander start-ups with access to loans to help new businesses get off the ground. The package includes up to 30% of a new business loan as a grant to purchase assets, flexible loan repayment options, and no application fees.
This program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander innovative businesses in Queensland with investment grants up to $100,000 and business strategic advisory services. The grants help First Nations businesses pursue innovation and accelerate growth, while advisory services cover costs for business strategy, legal, finance, marketing, mentoring, and grant writing support.
A program that supports established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander innovative businesses in Queensland to scale and grow. Recipients receive impact investment grants up to $100,000 and business strategic advisory services covering costs for essential business support in areas such as fundamental business skills, legal, finance, marketing, mentoring, and grant writing.
A grant program supporting First Nations communities to build skills and knowledge in clean energy development. Funding covers eligible expenditure for advisory services, staff engagement, training, and community engagement activities related to clean energy projects.
Grant information is sourced from official government websites and updated regularly. Program details, eligibility and closing dates change — always verify with the official source before applying. Last data update: February 2026.