City of Melbourne Small Business Grants (Australia)

​​​​​​​​The Small Business Grants Program supports new businesses to get started within the City of Melbourne​ and existing businesses to expand and grow.​

The funding will support small businesses looking to:​

• enhance the City of Melbourne’s reputation for innovation, creativity and diversity
• strengthen their local economy’s resilience by demonstrating a unique point-of-difference, sound business model and long-term financial viability
• create employment and investment opportunities.

This round will also have a special focus on small businesses that enhance the city’s vitality by increasing the occupancy rate of shopfronts across the municipality.

Funding Information

• The program will support applicants with new businesses to the municipality or existing businesses looking to expand or relocate their current offer within the municipality.
• There will be two streams available – an Open stream available to any small business operating within the municipality and another specifically for applicants who occupy a vacant ground floor, street-facing commercial shopfront within the municipality.
  • Open stream – up to $20,000 per applicant is available to any business that meets the eligibility criteria and program objectives
  • Shopfront Occupancy stream – has two options available to businesses that meet the eligibility criteria and program objectives:
    • Up to $20,000 per applicant available to occupy a property vacant for two to six months
    • Up to $30,000 per applicant available to occupy a property vacant for more than six months.

What they will fund

• Capital improvement costs associated with fit-out of business premises including, but not limited to furniture, cabinetry, joinery, partitioning, flooring, shelving, and painting.
• Website costs including development or enhancements.
• IT equipment costs including the purchasing of hardware (computers, laptops, printers, servers).
• Specialised equipment and software that is directly related to the operation of the new business or as part of the business expansion activity.
• Other expenditure items not listed above where it can be clearly demonstrated there is a significant need for the set up or expansion of the small business.

Eligibility Criteria

​To be eligible for a Small Business Grants Program you must:

• be located within or committed to relocate promptly (within three months of receiveing the grant) to the City of Melbourne municipality
• have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
• have less than 20 full-time or equivalent employees at the time of applying
• be an Australian registered business, sole trader, company, business cooperative or partnership and provide documented evidence of its legal structure
• be able to provide evidence of appropriate business insurances
• have no outstanding acquittals or debts to the City of Melbourne
• demonstrate financial viability as evidenced by relevant financial information
• Shopfront occupancy stream ONLY: provide evidence of a commercial lease if relocating to City of Melbourne or moving to a larger premises within City of Melbourne.

For more information, visit City of Melbourne.