Grants — what most people mean
A grant is money that doesn't need to be repaid, given for a specific purpose. It's the most sought-after type of funding because it's essentially free money — but it comes with application burden, reporting requirements, and competition.
Grants range from $500 microgrants (local council tourism) to $5M+ innovation grants (national programs). The sweet spot for small business is typically $10,000–$100,000 — large enough to be meaningful, small enough to have manageable compliance.
Rebates — claim back what you've already spent
A rebate reimburses you for a purchase you've already made. You spend your own money first, then claim back a portion. This is common for energy efficiency upgrades, equipment purchases, and technology adoption.
Examples: NSW Energy Savings Scheme rebates for LED lighting upgrades; federal instant asset write-off provisions; state solar rebates for commercial premises.
Rebates are often faster and less competitive than grants because they're open-ended — anyone who makes the eligible purchase qualifies. The downside: you need the capital to spend upfront.
Vouchers — subsidised services, not cash
Vouchers give you access to professional services at a subsidised rate, rather than cash. Common examples: $2,000 in subsidised business advisory hours, $5,000 towards a website redevelopment, or $1,000 in digital marketing services.
Voucher programs are popular because they're lower-risk for government (the money goes to approved service providers, not directly to businesses). They're also quicker to apply for and receive.
Look for: Business Connect (NSW), Digital Ready (Commonwealth), and various state-run advisory programs.
Concessional loans — cheaper than the bank
Some programs offer loans at below-market interest rates, often with more flexible repayment terms than commercial lenders. These are most common for infrastructure investment, clean energy, and regional development.
Examples: Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) loans for energy-efficient business investments; state government business development loans in some regions.
The advantage is access to capital you might not otherwise get — or at terms (interest rate, repayment schedule) you couldn't negotiate with a bank.
Tax incentives — the easiest money you'll find
Tax incentives let you reduce your tax bill based on activities you're already doing. The R&D Tax Incentive is the biggest example: if your business conducts qualifying R&D, you can receive 43.5 cents back for every dollar spent (for companies with under $20M turnover).
Other examples: Instant Asset Write-Off (expense assets immediately), Small Business Income Tax Offset, and various state payroll tax concessions.
Tax incentives don't require a competitive application — they're automatic if you qualify and lodge correctly. This makes them the highest-value, lowest-effort funding available to eligible businesses.
Wage subsidies — get paid to hire
Wage subsidies partially offset the cost of employing certain workers — often people who face barriers to employment: recent school leavers, mature workers, people with disability, long-term unemployed, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Hiring Incentive Program and various state equivalents can provide $5,000–$20,000+ per eligible worker hired. These are genuine subsidies — money that offsets your wage bill.
If you're planning to hire anyone in the next 12 months, check whether a wage subsidy applies. Many businesses miss out simply because they didn't know to ask.
Grant information is compiled from official government sources and updated regularly. Program details, eligibility, and availability change frequently. Always verify current details on the official government website before applying.