Explore Business Grants Available This September
Navigating the world of government grants can feel overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to begin with countless opportunities, complex eligibility requirements, and time-consuming applications. That’s why we do the legwork for you each month.
Through our partnership with Avant Group, we’re bringing you a tailored selection of competitive grants your business may be eligible for this September. Current opportunities span manufacturing, innovation, tourism, renewable energy, and the R&D Tax Incentive, across both federal and Victorian Government programs.
Here’s what’s available this month.
Federal grants
Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)
Expanding into international markets can create significant growth opportunities, but the cost of promoting your business overseas can quickly become a barrier.
The Export Market Development Grant, or EMDG, is an Australian Government program administered by Austrade. It provides matched funding covering up to 50% of eligible export promotion expenses, including trade shows, overseas marketing travel, export consultants, promotional materials, export training and visits from prospective foreign buyers.
Funding is divided into tiers based on the business’s export experience and strategy. New exporters may access approximately $20,000 to $30,000 per year, while established exporters expanding into existing or new markets may be eligible for up to $80,000 per year. Grant agreements can cover up to two financial years, with eligible businesses able to participate for up to eight financial years in total.
It is worth noting that businesses generally need at least two years of trading history, an active ABN and sufficient turnover for their applicable funding tier. Applications must also be submitted before eligible expenses are incurred under the relevant grant agreement. Application rounds are limited and may close once the available funding has been allocated.
Who it's for:Australian businesses, including sole traders, companies, trusts and not-for-profits, that are preparing to export, expanding within existing overseas markets or entering new international markets.
Powering Australia – Battery Workforce Skills and Training (BWST) Grants Program
Australia’s battery industry is growing quickly, but a shortage of specialised skills could slow that progress. This program helps businesses build the technical capability their teams need to work safely and effectively across the battery supply chain.
Eligible organisations can apply for up to $30,000 toward battery-related training, covering up to 50% of approved course fees and materials. Separate grants of up to $50,000 are also available to develop specialised training materials that support emerging battery technologies.
The program covers training across areas such as battery manufacturing, energy storage systems, electric vehicle servicing, installation, maintenance, mineral processing and battery recycling. Training must be delivered by an approved university, Registered Training Organisation or other recognised provider. Applications follow a competitive two-stage process, beginning with an Expression of Interest.
This is particularly relevant for businesses already operating within the battery value chain that need to upskill existing employees, improve safety or prepare their workforce for new technologies and industry growth.
Who it's for: Australian-registered small, medium and large businesses or organisations employing people in battery-related mining, processing, manufacturing, installation, servicing, energy storage or recycling.
Victorian grants
Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program (SCUP)
Victoria’s defence industry is expanding, but businesses may need stronger capabilities to compete for work within Hanwha Defence Australia’s domestic and international supply chains. This program helps Victorian businesses become defence-ready and pursue opportunities linked to major Australian land systems projects.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $2,000 and $100,000, excluding GST, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. Applicants must provide a 1:1 cash co-contribution, with applications assessed on a rolling basis until 30 June 2027 or available funding is exhausted.
The program supports activities such as business certifications, tender preparation, industry-specific compliance, minor facility upgrades, equipment fit-outs, supply chain collaboration, defence research and development, technology transfer and product development. Proposed projects must strengthen the applicant’s Victorian operations and help the business enter or expand within Hanwha’s supply chain.
This is particularly relevant for Victorian defence businesses seeking to improve their systems, meet security and compliance requirements, develop new products or compete for contracts associated with Hanwha’s defence programs.
Who it's for: Victorian businesses with an ABN and an established operating presence in the state that have registered through Hanwha’s BenchOn portal. Preference is given to businesses with 200 or fewer employees, although larger companies may be considered case by case.
VIC - Victorian Screen Incentive (VSI)
Victoria continues to attract major film, television, animation, visual effects and digital games projects—but producing high-quality screen content locally comes with significant costs.
The Victorian Screen Incentive is a competitive state government grant designed to encourage eligible screen projects to undertake production or post-production work in Victoria. Funding is calculated as a percentage of Qualifying Victorian Expenditure and is capped at no more than 10% of eligible Victorian spending. The program operates on a rolling basis and can be combined with relevant federal screen offsets.
This program is best suited to commercially ready projects that are already fully financed and have demonstrated interest in release or distribution. Minimum Victorian expenditure thresholds apply: generally $8 million for physical productions and $500,000 for digital games, animation, post-production or visual effects projects. Funding is typically paid after the project is completed.
Who it's for: Production companies, post-production studios, animation and visual effects businesses, and digital game developers with the relevant project rights and plans to undertake substantial eligible work in Victoria.
Victorian Production Fund (VPF) - Games
Developing an original video game requires more than a strong concept. Studios also need the funding, specialist skills and commercial strategy to move a project from prototype to market.
The Victorian Production Fund — Games supports Victorian game developers across pre-production, production and post-production. Funding can be used for development staff, technical and creative consultants, legal and accounting advice, marketing, localisation, porting and other activities needed to prepare a game for release or expand an existing title.
Grants are capped at $300,000 per development stage or $500,000 across the entire project. Applicants must contribute at least 50% of the relevant stage budget through cash, external funding, eligible in-kind work or a combination of these sources.
It is worth noting that this is a competitive program. Applicants will need to demonstrate the game’s creative and commercial potential, a realistic pathway to market and how the project will contribute to Victoria’s games and screen sector.
Who it's for: Victorian game developers, creators and studios developing original games for PC, console, mobile, virtual reality, augmented reality or extended reality, from early-stage development through to post-release expansion.
Victoria – Regional Events Fund (Round 6)
Regional events play an important role in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and strengthening regional economies. This program helps event organisers develop and deliver events that generate measurable tourism, economic and community benefits across regional Victoria.
Funding is available through three streams. Regional Event Acquisition offers negotiated funding with no specified maximum, Event Growth and Development provides up to $500,000, and Event Industry Support offers grants of up to $50,000.
The program supports eligible costs such as event acquisition and delivery, marketing and promotion, feasibility planning, innovation, capability building and operational resources. Events must attract visitors from outside the host region, encourage longer stays and align with Victorian tourism priorities. Applications are competitive, with Stream 1 requiring an Expression of Interest and consultation with Visit Victoria.
This is particularly relevant for organisers looking to attract a significant new event, expand an established regional event or strengthen a smaller event’s marketing, operational capability and potential for future growth.
Who it's for: Victorian local councils, Regional Tourism Boards, Visitor Economy Partnerships, incorporated not-for-profits, private organisations demonstrating public benefit, and eligible consortia delivering events in regional Victoria. Applicants must hold an ABN and at least $20 million in public liability insurance.
Not sure where to start?
The most common reason businesses miss out on grants isn't ineligibility, it's not knowing the opportunity existed, or not having the time to put together a strong application.
That's where we come in. Our team works with businesses across all sectors to identify the right opportunities, assess eligibility, and manage the application process from start to finish. If any of these grants look relevant to your situation, get in touch even an initial conversation can help clarify what's worth pursuing.