Grant Writing Bootcamp: Unlock $20B in Govt Funding

Every year, the Australian Government offers more than $20 billion through over 1000 different grant programs to assist businesses. Unfortunately, some of these funds have never been claimed.

Many companies are unaware of them, do not know how to claim them, or do not claim their maximum entitlement.

Business grants fall into two main categories. They are either industry-related or activity-focused. The specific industries can vary depending on the Government’s focus.

Current industry grants include steel, motor vehicles, textile clothing and footwear, tourism, agriculture, health, arts, film and television.

Activities currently supported include exporting, research and development, commercialisation of technology, reducing the carbon footprint, employment, regional development, equity fundraising and training.

Entitlement grants

Very few grants are guaranteed. However, the Research and Development Tax Incentive and Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) are entitlement grants. You will receive your payment without any doubt if you stick to the grant requirements and are aware of your rights.

The Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&D Tax Incentive)

The Research and Development Tax Incentive pays a cash benefit to companies of up to 43.5% of their eligible R&D spend on creating innovative technologies. Companies with tax losses receive the maximum benefit, which can assist in financing their development process when most needed. Eligible projects must be conducted primarily in Australia and involve innovation and technical risk.

Some successful claims include creating new products, software development, improvements to manufacturing equipment, security devices, online trading platforms and environmental products. Claims must be lodged within 10 months of the end of each financial year and before lodging the company tax return.

Export Market Development Grants

The EMDG scheme provides exporters and potential exporters a 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses under 3 tiered system.

Exports can be defined as any transaction that secures foreign sources’ income. That would include sales concluded overseas or sales in Australia to tourists.

Eligible expenses include international patents and trademarks, overseas trips, representatives, agents, subsidiary costs, samples, website development and hosting, advertising, communication, entertainment, trade shows and Australian consultants.

Competitive grants

The majority of other grants are competitive.

Your application must offer a better outcome than the others submitted.  Remember, they are government grants, so the desired result is the benefit to the Australian economy. This could be increased employment, profits that will attract company tax, exports, import replacements, reduction in government spending, increased knowledge, efficiencies, increased competitiveness or benefits to ancillary or support businesses.

All successful grant applications have the exact requirements, whether for an entitlement or competitive grant.

Tips for Success

So, what common mistakes can you avoid to increase your chance of lodging a successful grant application?

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so you need to know the complete requirements of the scheme. This can take time to research, but in the long run, your application will provide the information required to assess it. Incomplete or incorrect applications rarely succeed. You need to know your entitlements and rights if the application is audited. Auditors can disallow eligible expenses, but they may not fully understand the application or technology or may have a preconceived opinion.

The quality of the information and presentation is also essential. The larger the grant sought, the more professional the application required. Well-presented applications stand out from the crowd. The reviewers will relate the quality of the application with the quality of the work to be conducted.

Speaking with the grant administrators can be invaluable. It can develop a relationship that changes an application from being new to one that is more familiar. The information they provide is often not included in the legislation or guidelines, but they can give your application an edge.

Ensure your application is optimistic. In most cases, the reviewer will discount any projections provided, assuming they are best-case scenarios. If you have already discounted, then your application is likely to fail. What happens if your projects are wrong? Whether the result is better or worse, it is still only a projection, your best estimate.

The application form usually details the information required. It is provided to assist you in presenting enough detail for a proper assessment of your application, so it is wise to ensure you provide everything requested. Incomplete applications will usually stand out in the wrong way.

Make sure to double-check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A sloppy application does not present your proposal in the best light. It is helpful to have someone not involved in the application review it for you before you lodge it. Being close to the business, many people will assume a level of knowledge the reader does not possess, leaving them floundering. It is sometimes necessary to explain basic information to ensure the reader can fully understand the situation.

Other important steps

A critical step often overlooked is advising how the project fits into the current business operations. An application for grants that support activities not currently part of your core business will fail if it is not adequately explained. Without this, the reviewer could consider that you are just chasing money and will not deliver the scheme’s intent.

Grant programs usually run for several years. Where a grant has been running for a while, other businesses may have already been successful. As the Government is spending public funds, it is required to disclose to whom the grants were paid.

This information is invaluable. Review the details of these successful recipients. Please consider their industry, the project funded, the grant’s size, the recipient’s history, the industry’s status, the benefits they could provide and their location. Also, look at how much money is available for distribution from the scheme. If you feel it is appropriate, give them a call, congratulate them and tell them you are considering preparing an application. This can open a conversation that could be the difference in a successful grant application.

For the best chance of securing your grant, consider engaging a professional grants consultant. When choosing a consultant in this specialised area, ensure that securing grants is their core business, and they are not an accountant or lawyer doing it as an ancillary activity. This can be quickly ascertained from their website. Check that they have extensive years of experience. They are not a one-person band but a team of experienced people. Avoid choosing someone who previously worked as a public servant compared to an executive from the industry.

Finally, choose a consultant who has confidence in their ability and your project and will work for a success fee. That is a win, win, win scenario.

Emerging Trends in Australian Government Grant Funding – 2025 and Beyond

Multiple primary tendencies are forming the picture of the grant funding field:

• Support for Advanced Manufacturing and Critical Technologies: Grants will likely target businesses in advanced manufacturing, critical technologies like AI and quantum computing, and those building sovereign capabilities.
• Driving Digital Transformation: It is anticipated that programs promoting the implementation of digital technologies in various sectors will be sustained further.
• Emphasis on Research Commercialisation: Grants will increasingly focus on translating research into marketable products and services.  
• Prioritising Regional Development: Region-specific grants to set up industry and improve basic facilities leave no choice but to be it.
• Increased Focus on Sustainability and ESG: Look for the increased emphasis on projects that benefit the environment and society.
• Growing Support for Social Enterprises: The initiatives that have a significant social impact and tackle community problems will receive more funding.

Essential Australian Government Resources for Grant Seekers

Stay informed by utilising these key online resources:

Resource	Primary Purpose
www.arc.gov.au/funding-research	Information on Australian Research Council funding opportunities
www.grants.gov.au	Central portal for finding and applying for Australian Government grants (GrantConnect)
www.business.gov.au	Information, support, and a grant finder tool for Australian businesses
www.industry.gov.au	Information on industry, innovation, and science grants and programs
www.defence.gov.au/business-industry/resources-support/industry-grants	Information on grants supporting the defence industry
www.energy.gov.au/business/grants-and-funding	Information on energy-related grants and funding
www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding	Information on National Health and Medical Research Council funding opportunities

Taking Action

If you are looking for financial support for your company, you should be informed that the Australian Government has many grant options. With the right approach, your business can succeed even in a demanding and competitive environment.

The first step is to find grants compatible with your business goals. Prepare a grant calendar that contains the application deadlines and sufficient time for you to work on your application. Form network connections with grant directors and industry stakeholders who can help to enhance your applications.

Be aware that continuity leads to success. Many successful grant beneficiaries faced the refusal initially, but later, they refined their approach and eventually succeeded. Gain knowledge from feedback and consistently develop your grant-seeking skills. The funding your businesses need might be as close as what you need. Begin your journey now and show me the money!

Bruce Patten, Pattens Group

Grant Writing Bootcamp: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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