Deadline: February 27, 2026
The Hume City Small Business Grants Program, offered by Hume City Council in Australia, supports small businesses located within Hume City by providing financial grants up to $20,000 plus GST to help create employment, improve business efficiency, and foster sustainable growth.
The grant program focuses on small businesses seeking to create new employment opportunities, support local employment growth, further expand their business, and build on their already successful business model and growth potential.
Hume City Council recognises the significant role small businesses play in the local economy and community vibrancy. To promote innovation, business investment, employment creation, and sustainable business culture, the council has allocated $150,000 for this grant program, with individual grants capped at $20,000 plus GST. The program is designed flexibly to accommodate the diverse range of small businesses operating within Hume City, including startups, home-based businesses, and sole traders that have been operational for at least 12 months.
Applicants must attend a mandatory Small Business Grant Information Session to maximize the chance of a successful application. After attending the session, applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal, which allows saving and revisiting the application until complete. The program funds a wide variety of projects, such as business fit-outs including capital works, website development with digital strategy and marketing, cybersecurity initiatives, AI-based product development and automation integration, training or consulting for AI adoption, upgrading point-of-sale systems, energy-efficient and specialised equipment or software, export-related activities, innovative product development or service design research, and improvements to outdoor dining facilities.
To apply successfully, businesses must provide documentation including a project summary, project plan using a provided template, quotes from registered suppliers, relevant licenses or permits, and financial reports demonstrating how the business will meet goals like employment creation, improved efficiency, and product or service diversification.
Eligibility criteria require applicants to be based within Hume City, hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN), have 20 or fewer full time equivalent employees (excluding casuals), possess appropriate permits and licences, demonstrate minimum trading periods (two years for established businesses and twelve months for startups), be up to date with council rates or on a payment plan, and have current public liability insurance. Applicants must also comply with laws and disclose employment of any council employees or their immediate family. Only one application per business per financial year is allowed.
The grant program excludes political organisations, government departments, charities primarily focused on fundraising, electronic gaming machine operators or recipients of their support, and sporting clubs. Additionally, the grant will not fund routine business expenses like rent, wages, utilities, vehicles, stock, or travel. Applicants must not purchase goods or services before grant approval, and successful applicants must sign a letter of agreement committing to use funds as specified and submit acquittal reports.
Hume City Council reserves rights including partial funding, rejection of ineligible applications, refusal of applications involving canvassing or lobbying, and disclosing successful applicants publicly. Payment is processed within 30 days of invoice receipt upon compliance.
For more information, visit Hume City Council.
