EOFY Guide to Government Grants for Small Business

Key Points

• EOFY (June 30, 2025) is a strategic time for Australian small businesses to apply for government grants, as financial records are already organised for tax season.
• Research suggests grants like the R&D Tax Incentive, Industry Growth Program and EMDG can fund innovation, expansion, or training, offering non-repayable support.
• Preparing accurate financials, showing community impact, and avoiding common application errors will likely boost your chances of success.
• The evidence suggests starting early, utilising tools, and seeking professional advice to navigate the process effectively.

What’s EOFY and Why Should You Care?

Picture this: It’s June 2025, and you’re knee-deep in tax prep, sorting through receipts and financial statements. But what if this End of Financial Year (EOFY), ending 30 June, could do more than settle your taxes? It’s a prime time to secure government grants that can fund your business’s next big step. EOFY marks the close of the financial year, from 1 July to 30 June, when many grant programs open, renew, or close. Since you’re already organising your books, you’ve got a head start on the paperwork that grants require.

Grants offer non-repayable funding to help you innovate, expand, or train staff. With billions allocated annually—$257 billion since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to AustralianGrants.org —these funds can transform your business. But where do you start? And how do you make your application stand out? Let’s walk you through it.

Why EOFY is Perfect for Grant Hunting

EOFY isn’t just about taxes. It’s when you’re already compiling financial records, which most grants require. Plus, many programs align their cycles with the financial year, making June a busy time for applications. For example, the Research & Development Tax Incentive has a deadline of April 30, 2025, for FY24, but others, like the Industry Growth Program, are ongoing. And the new application process for the R&D Tax Incentive opens 1 July 2025. By acting now, you can beat the rush and align your grant goals with your business planning.

Why does this matter?

Grants can be used for the acquisition of devices or equipment, hiring, or digital innovations and upgrades, thereby lowering the financial pressures on businesses. Consider James, who runs a precision engineering firm in regional Queensland, as a prime example. He used the Made in Queensland grant to invest in advanced CNC machinery and automation systems, boosting production efficiency and cutting waste by 25%. This upgrade enabled him to take on larger contracts and create three new skilled jobs. His case is clear evidence of how engineering businesses can prepare for the end of the financial year and secure real wins.

Finding Grants That Fit Your Business

Finding the right grant can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but it’s easier with the right tools. Here’s where to look:

• business.gov.au: Answer a few questions about your business to find federal grants tailored to your needs.
• GrantConnect: A one-stop shop for all Australian government grants, federal and state.
• State and Territory Websites: Each state offers unique grants. Queensland’s Made in Queensland provides up to $2.5 million for manufacturers, while Investment NSW supports tech startups with up to $25,000 50,000 through the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Ventures program.
• grants.com.au – business grants search engine
• Industry Groups: Organisations like the Victorian Chamber offer grant finders and workshops to guide you.

Use specific keywords, such as “innovation grants,” “export funding,” or “regional development,” to narrow your search. Sign up for alerts to stay updated on new opportunities. Ask yourself: What does your business need most—new tech, more staff, or a bigger market? This will guide your search.

Key Grants to Know About

Grant Name	Purpose	Funding	Deadline
MVP Ventures Program (NSW)	Supports startups and innovative SMEs with grants to commercialise new products from early research to investment-ready stages.	$25,000 – $50,000 matched funding	1 July 2025 until funding is exhausted
Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)	Helps Australian small and medium businesses market and promote their goods and services globally.	Varies; based on eligible expenses, up to 50% reimbursement.	Ongoing (Tier 1-3)
Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive	Provides tax offsets for companies doing eligible research and development activities in Australia. This is a claim, not a direct grant.	Up to 43.5% of eligible R&D expenditure (refundable or non-refundable tax offset).	Ongoing (claimed via tax return)
CSIRO Kick-Start	Matched funding for small businesses to access CSIRO’s research expertise. Helps develop new products or services with science and technology.	Up to 50,000 matched funding for R&D services.	Ongoing
Industry Growth Program (Early-Stage Commercialisation)	Supports small to medium businesses doing innovative projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas.	$50,000to250,000$	Ongoing
Industry Growth Program (Commercialisation & Growth)	Supports small to medium businesses doing innovative projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas.	$100,000to5$ million	Ongoing
Advancing Renewables Program	Supports projects that develop and commercialise clean energy technologies. Aims to make an impact in the green energy sector.	Varies based on project scope and funding availability.	Ongoing
Business Bushfire Recovery Grant (Western Victoria Bushfires 2024-25)	Helps small businesses impacted by the Western Victoria Bushfires. Focuses on recovery and restarting operations.	Varies (e.g., to cover essential costs).	November 13, 2025
Forestry Industry – Support Plantation Establishment Round 3 (Batches)	Supports the establishment of new plantations to grow the forestry industry.	Varies by project.	November 5, 2025
ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program (IC26 & IH26)	Supports researchers working with industry to solve problems and drive economic growth. (This is research-focused but links to industry.)	Varies by project.	November 26, 2025
ARC Future Fellowships (FT26)	Supports mid-career researchers to conduct research in areas of national importance. (Research-focused, but can lead to industry impact.)	Varies by project.	November 5, 2025
ARC Discovery Projects Expression of Interest (DP27 EOI)	An initial step for major research projects. (Research-focused, but can include industry collaboration.)	N/A (Expression of Interest)	December 12, 2025
Industrial Transformation Training Centres (ITTC)	Supports collaboration between universities and industry to create industry-focused training and research. (Research-focused, but business-relevant.)	Varies by project.	Likely November/December 2025 (Check ARC Calendar for specifics) Export to Sheets
Digital Solutions Grants	Improve digital capabilities	Up to $15,000	Varies by state

Check business.gov.au for full details and application steps.

Preparing a Winning Application

A strong application starts with preparation. Here’s what you need:

• The balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and cash flow statement must be updated. You need to provide your Australian Business Number (ABN) and details about your company registration. The purpose of these is to verify the eligibility of your business.
• Business Case: Develop a clear plan outlining how the grant will support your business’s growth. Highlight innovation, job creation, or sustainability. In case you are applying for a technology-related grant, explain how this new software will make existing processes more efficient and, therefore, increase profitability.
• Project Details: Define your project’s goals, timeline, and budget. Ensure it aligns with the grant’s objectives. If you’re targeting a regional grant, show how your project supports local communities.

EOFY is your secret weapon here. Since you’re already organising financials for taxes, you can easily pull together what grants are needed. Work with your accountant to ensure everything is accurate. Ask: How will this grant change your business’s future?

Avoiding Common Application Pitfalls

Let’s be honest—nobody wants their application rejected over a silly mistake. Here are traps to dodge:

• Avoiding the Rules and Skipping Guidelines: All grants are governed by specific rules & criteria. You will need to take the time to read them carefully before proceeding with your grant application to ensure that you meet the qualifications.
• Incomplete Applications: Ensure that you have included all required documents, such as financial statements or your Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Vague Proposals: Be clear about your project’s goals and impact. A fuzzy plan won’t impress reviewers.
• Late Submissions: Deadlines are strict—some grants, like the Critical Technologies Challenge, close as early as February 26, 2025. Submit early to avoid stress.

Imagine you’re a bakery owner applying for a sustainability grant. You forget to include your BAS, and your application gets tossed. Don’t let that be you—double-check everything.

Standing Out from the Crowd

To make your application shine, try these strategies:

• Show Community Impact: Explain how your project benefits the economy or community. For instance, a regional grant application might highlight how hiring local staff will boost your town’s economy. Reviewers love projects with a broader impact.
• Get Expert Help: Connect with local business advisors or industry groups. The Victorian Chamber offers workshops and grant finders, while Small Business Development Corporations provide free advice and support.
• Prove You Can Deliver: Demonstrate that you have the necessary skills, resources, or partnerships to succeed. If a grant requires matched funding, demonstrate that you can cover it.

Consider Tom, a tech startup founder in Sydney. He applied for the MVP Ventures program and worked with Pattens Group to refine his pitch. By showing how his app would create 10 new jobs, he secured $50,000 from the program and was able to match it with his own $50,000, which eventually enabled him to launch his product. Advisors can make a big difference.

Staying Safe During EOFY

EOFY is a busy time, and scammers are aware of it. Be cautious of fake emails claiming tax refunds or grant approvals. Always verify information on official websites, such as business.gov.au. If an email asks for your login details, don’t click—contact the agency directly. Protecting your business keeps your grant efforts on track.

Your EOFY Grant Checklist

Stay organised with this checklist:

• Research potential grants using business.gov.au and state websites.
• Confirm you meet eligibility criteria.
• Gather financial documents, ABN, and company registration details.
• Write a clear business case and project plan.
• Check your application for completeness and clarity.
• Submit before deadlines.
• Follow up on your application status.

Get Started Today

The end of the Financial Year (EOFY) is an excellent opportunity for your business to turn the financial prep into a funding opportunity. Through the process of searching for grants, preparing practical applications, and avoiding common mistakes, you can secure the funds necessary for business expansion. Think about the time you sit at your desk in front of your financials, and all of a sudden, you remember that a grant can make it possible to have that new product line that you’ve been dreaming about for such a long time. That’s the power of the EOFY Guide to Government Grants.

Don’t wait, and start exploring grants for your business today.

Pro Tip: Use Pattens Grants’ search engine to find your next grant! For your convenience, we have created a search portal to help you find suitable government grants for your business. Using our Search Portal, you can find government grants suitable for your location and industry. We invite you to visit our portal today and take the first step toward a brighter future for your business.