Deadline: October 07, 2025
The Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant 2026 is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing financial support of up to $5,000 to grow their businesses through training, professional services, and essential equipment.
The focus of the grant is to support women in business to thrive and grow with confidence, provide a business community of like-minded experts for networking and collaboration, and boost the local economy through skill development and local buy.
The program offers a total funding pool of $250,000, with successful applicants eligible to receive up to $5,000 each. The grant is open to women-owned businesses that meet specific eligibility criteria, including holding an active ABN, being based in the Brisbane Local Government Area, demonstrating an annual turnover between $75,000 and $500,000, and operating for the full financial year of 2024/25. Applicants must also be women with at least 50% ownership of the business, aged 18 years or older, and not a previous recipient of this grant.
Funding can be used to strengthen business capability and sustainability through professional services such as strategy development, marketing, e-commerce, compliance, and financial services, as well as through training, certifications, and participation in expos or business events. Eligible expenses also include business-critical equipment that contributes to tangible growth. Activities considered “business as usual,” general operating costs, travel, franchise fees, and certain technology purchases will not be funded.
Applications will be assessed by an external judging panel selected by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), with decisions based on evidence of how the funding will grow revenue, create jobs, and contribute to long-term business sustainability. Successful applicants will be required to participate in a 12-month business support program and complete periodic surveys.
The grant is delivered through a partnership between Brisbane City Council and BEDA, with all successful applicants automatically joining the Brisbane Business Hub community for further networking and development opportunities.
For more information, visit BEDA.
