Applications open for Small Business Grants Program 2025-26 (Australia)

For the 2025-26 funding round, the Program will support small businesses that are seeking to:

• Establish or enhance their online presence
• Develop e-commerce capabilities
• Implement digital marketing strategies to reach broader markets
• Adopt digital tools that enhance business operations and customer engagement

Funding Information

• Available Funding
  • A total pool of $20,000 has been allocated to the program, with individual grants of up to $5,000 available, with an organisation eligible to receive only one grant per annual funding round. The Grant does not include GST and will not cover GST expenses.
• Project Completion: All successful projects must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Eligible Projects

• Projects must focus on enhancing a business’s digital presence and market reach. Examples include:
  • Developing or upgrading a website with e-commerce capabilities
  • Implementing an online booking or ordering system
  • Launching a digital marketing campaign (including SEO, social media, and email marketing)
  • Investing in customer relationship management (CRM) software
  • Developing an online training or engagement platform
  • Adopting software solutions to improve business efficiency

Ineligible Projects 

• The following projects have been deemed ineligible to access the Small Business Grant Grant funding:
  • Projects that have commenced
  • Projects that already have Council funding mechanisms in place or were previous recipients of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Community Benefit Program funding.
  • Projects in which funds will be used for the following
    • Payment of salaries
    • Payment of everyday expenses or general bills, for example, rent, rates, land taxes, insurance or utilities.
    • Fundraising or sponsorship
    • Political activities
    • Academic or conference costs
    • Interstate or overseas travel

Eligibility Criteria 

• Businesses must fulfil the following conditions to be eligible for funding:
  • be located within the District Council of Kimba area ;
  • hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN);
  • have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (excludes casuals);
  • demonstrate solid growth or market potential;
  • hold all appropriate permits and licences; this will include but is not restricted to
  • building and planning permits, health, and any other statutory permits or licences that are required for the business to be legal;  Council rates must be paid and up to date, or a payment plan in place;
  • hold current public liability insurance and provide evidence of insurance when applying;
  • not be in breach of any state/territory or local government law or regulation;
  • Demonstrate their own contribution to the project, whether financial, in-kind or by some other means and must match the amount of the grant with cash, material or other in-kind support towards the program on a $1:$2 basis.

For more information, visit District Council of Kimba.