Australian Small Business Advisory: Digital Solutions Round 3

Purpose and Program Overview

The Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) – Digital Solutions Round 3 program supports the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening the digital capability of small businesses nationwide. The program funds experienced business advisory service providers to deliver low-cost, high-quality digital advisory services to small businesses in both metropolitan and regional Australia.

This initiative focuses on building digital adoption and capability across five key areas: digitalisation fundamentals, online marketing and sales, business software use, AI and emerging technologies, and cybersecurity.

A total of $25.136 million is available over five years (2025–26 to 2029–30), ensuring consistent access to expert digital advisory services across three defined service regions. The program aims to enhance the capacity of service providers while equipping Australian small businesses to compete in an increasingly digital economy.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount:
  
  • Up to 100% of eligible project expenditure
    
  • Maximum of five years per service area:
    
    • $8.819 million – Area 1 (NSW & ACT)
      
    • $7.371 million – Area 2 (QLD, NT & WA)
      
    • $8.946 million – Area 3 (SA, VIC & TAS)
      
• Applications open: Friday, 19 September 2025
  
• Applications close: Friday, 5 December 2025
  
• Eligible applicants: Business advisory service providers, incorporated entities, registered charities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, or incorporated trustees
  
• Co-contribution: Not required (funding covers up to 100% of eligible expenditure)
  
• Applicable locations: Australia-wide, divided into three geographic service areas
  

Priority Sectors

This grant is sector-agnostic, open to advisory service providers supporting small businesses across all industries.

Funding Scope

• Total funding pool: $25.136 million over five years (2025–26 to 2029–30)
  
• Funding structure:
  
  • Three grants, one per defined service area (exclusive provider per area)
    
• Funding duration: Up to five years

• Eligible service areas:
  
  • Area 1: NSW & ACT
    
  • Area 2: QLD, NT & WA
    
  • Area 3: SA, VIC & TAS
    

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold an ABN or Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN)
  
• Be registered for GST
  
• Be an incorporated entity in Australia (including incorporated not-for-profits, registered charities, and companies limited by guarantee)
  
• Be a trading corporation with substantial trading activity
  
• Be an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust (if applicable)
  
• Address all assessment criteria in Section 6 of the program guidelines
  
• Joint applications are permitted, provided one eligible lead organisation is nominated
  

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Funding supports the delivery of advisory services and associated activities, including:

• Development of digitalisation-focused content and learning materials
  
• Establishment of communication channels and online advisory platforms
  
• Promotional activities encouraging small business participation
  
• Delivery of advisory services through face-to-face, phone, email, webchat, webinars, workshops, and online tutorials
  
• Creation and implementation of client feedback surveys
  
• Referrals to other appropriate business advisory services
  

Assessment Process

This is a competitive grant program. Applications will be assessed against three key criteria:

1. Impact (40 points): Extent to which proposed services improve small business digital capability and adoption in the nominated service area.
   
2. Capability (40 points): Applicant’s capacity, resources, and experience to deliver high-quality advisory services.
   
3. Financial and governance strength (20 points): Evidence of sound financial management and governance practices.
   

Recent Program Updates

• Round 3 introduces expanded funding of over $25 million across three service regions for 2025–26 to 2029–30.
  
• The program continues the government’s focus on digital transformation for small businesses, now including emerging areas such as AI adoption and cybersecurity resilience.
  

Application Tips

• Review the official guidelines carefully to confirm eligibility.
  
• Prepare documentation early, including financial and governance information.
  
• Align proposals with the government’s digital capability objectives.
  
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes for small business digital transformation.
  
• Highlight your organisation’s track record in delivering scalable, high-impact advisory services.
  

Where to Get Help

To maximise the benefits of this grant program, businesses in Australia are encouraged to seek professional grant and commercialisation advice. With 30 years of experience assisting Australian businesses in securing grants and navigating innovation programs, Pattens Group offers expert guidance to strengthen applications and manage compliance. Contact us to leverage our expertise and advance your medical device innovation. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website.