What is a grant?
A grant is money provided by government that does not need to be repaid. It is given for a specific purpose and carries conditions on how it must be spent, reported on, and accounted for.
How it works
Grants are typically distributed through competitive application rounds. You submit an application demonstrating why your project meets the program objectives, assessors score applications, and successful applicants receive a formal offer. Payments are often made in milestones linked to project completion. Unused funds must generally be returned.
Advantages
- ✓Non-repayable — no debt, no interest
- ✓No equity dilution
- ✓Can validate business credibility (especially competitive grants)
- ✓Often paired with advisory support
Considerations
- ·Highly competitive — success rates can be 10–30%
- ·Significant application time investment
- ·Acquittal and reporting obligations ongoing
- ·Activities often must start after approval (can delay projects)
Open Grants
1658 programsA $2 billion program funding transformational infrastructure projects across Western Sydney to enhance community livelihoods and support economic recovery. The program supports 191 projects across 15 eligible Local Government Areas, improving community liveability and quality of life throughout the region.
The Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund provides up to $1.5 billion in grant funding focusing on renewable energy and low emission technologies critical to Australia's renewable energy transition. Grant funding is available across three priorities: Green Metals ($750 million), Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing ($200 million initial tranche), and Low Carbon Liquid Fuels ($250 million).
A $1 billion Commonwealth government program that supports the commercialisation of Australian solar photovoltaic (PV) innovations and enhances solar PV supply chains in Australia. The program funds innovative solar PV manufacturing facilities across the solar supply chain through multiple funding rounds.
The Australian Government provides funding to support critical services in remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory, including remote policing, child and family services, Aboriginal interpreter services, alcohol harm reduction services, education programs, and hearing and oral health services. The program commits $842.6 million over 6 years commencing 1 July 2025 to continue delivery of essential remote services, expand supports for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, enable communities to design and deliver services, and support access to economic development and employment opportunities.
Funding under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program is available from 1 July 2023 to support Eligible Funding Recipients to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia. LRCI Phase 4 continues the objective of the program to provide temporary, targeted support for creating and maintaining local jobs through road infrastructure and construction activities in communities across Australia. The intended outcomes of the program are to: deliver benefits to communities, such as improved road safety, accessibility and visual amenity; and create local short-term employment opportunities through funding construction projects Eligibility: Eligible Funding Recipients for Phase 4 are the same as for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the LRCI Program. Grant Activity Timeframe: Phase 4 project construction can only begin once funding recipients have in place an executed Grant Agreement and Approved Work Schedule. Total Amount Availa
The second phase of the Future Drought Fund provides $519.1 million over 8 years to support drought resilience and adaptation activities. This includes extensions to the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs and Climate Services for Agriculture program, as well as evaluation activities and support for First Nations communities.
A $400 million funding program supporting industrial decarbonisation solutions including electrification, energy efficiency, low emissions processing, and fuel switching. The program also considers enabling technologies such as energy storage, demand management, and critical infrastructure supporting onsite decarbonisation.
Program information is sourced from official government websites and updated regularly. Always verify details with the official source before applying.