Funding and support
This page provides a comprehensive list of funding opportunities available to businesses in Tasmania. This page also has a section covering the range of free support, training, and learning opportunities to help you start or run your business. To be kept informed of new funding and learning opportunities, sign up to our newsletter here.
Generally there are few grants available for starting a business, and those available are competitive or only available for specific circumstances.
Please note: The Department of State Growth has received a number of reports of private operators approaching businesses selling information about government business grants. This information is publicly and freely available on this page and the Australian Government website. No Australian government - federal, state or local - charges an online fee for any information on grants and funding.
General
Enabling Business Grant Program
This program is round two of the Small Business Growth Strategy Grant Program. It provides grants of between $2,500 and $10,000 for capital purchases that align to the enabling business and technology themes of the Small Business Growth Strategy 2026.
Read more about Enabling Business Grant ProgramRound 4 Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program
This program provides eligible small businesses with access to relevant and current specialist financial services or business support, with a grant of up to $1,500.
Read more about Round 4 Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance ProgramBusiness Growth Loan Scheme
The $60 million Business Growth Loan Scheme provides loans to assist Tasmanian businesses to develop, expand or undertake new projects, that promote growth in the Tasmanian economy and align with the Tasmanian Government’s strategic objectives.
Read more about Business Growth Loan SchemeCSIRO Kick-Start Program
Eligible businesses may get access to dollar-matched funding of $10,000-$50,000 to undertake research activities with CSIRO.
Read more about CSIRO Kick-Start ProgramDefence Industry Development Grant
The program provides grants to support small or medium sized Australian businesses operating in the defence sector to enhance their capabilities, capacity and security posture.
Read more about Defence Industry Development GrantIndustry Growth Program
This program supports innovative small and medium enterprises to undertake commercialisation or growth projects within the seven National Reconstruction Fund Priority Areas.
Read more about Industry Growth ProgramInnovate with nbn Grants Program
The grant is for businesses in regional and remote Australia who live and breathe technology. Apply for one of the seven categories.
Read more about Innovate with nbn Grants ProgramMany Rivers Microfinance
Many Rivers works with Australians who want to start or grow a small or micro business.
Read more about Many Rivers MicrofinanceNo Interest Micro-Business Loan Scheme
The scheme provides small, interest-free loans of up to $3 000 to people on low incomes who want to start their own business or grow an existing one.
Read more about No Interest Micro-Business Loan SchemeR&D Tax Incentive
Helps businesses offset some of the costs of doing R&D. Only companies are eligible to apply.
Read more about R&D Tax IncentiveTradex Scheme
If your business is importing goods that you intend to directly export or incorporate in other exported goods, you may be eligible for exemptions on customs duty and GST.
Read more about Tradex Scheme26Ten Workplace Grants
26Ten Workplace Grants offer up to $65,000 to Tasmanian employers for projects to increase the literacy and numeracy skills of their employees and volunteers in their workplaces.
Read more about 26Ten Workplace GrantsVisiting Trade Mark and Patent Attorneys
Provides preliminary consultations and advice to prospective clients, in-confidence, without obligation and free-of-charge.
Read more about Visiting Trade Mark and Patent AttorneysAgribusiness
AgriGrowth Loan Scheme
The scheme offers low interest loans to Tasmanian farm businesses, agri-food businesses and young farmers wanting to progress into their own farm business.
Read more about AgriGrowth Loan SchemeRural Relief Fund
Rural and regional businesses experiencing economic hardship due to disasters such as flood, fire and drought can apply for up to $5,000 in emergency financial assistance through the Rural Relief Fund.
Read more about Rural Relief FundAgriStarter Loan
Loans of up to $2 million to assist first time farmers; and to support farm succession arrangements.
Read more about AgriStarter LoanCarbon Farming Advice Rebate Pilot Program
This program provides primary producers with rebates of up to $10,000 for advice sought about the costs and benefits of accessing carbon credits, auditing requirements, and on-ground actions that are eligible for carbon credits.
Read more about Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Pilot ProgramDairyTas Small Project Grants Program
DairyTas invites applications that encourage dairy industry groups to plan, carry out and promote their own on-farm demonstration or extension project to improve the performance and profitability of dairy farms in their locality.
Read more about DairyTas Small Project Grants ProgramDrought loans
The loan will assist farm business owners in eligible areas to prepare for, manage through and recover from drought.
Read more about Drought loansFarm investment loans
You can apply for this loan to strengthen your farm business, take steps to access markets interstate or outside Australia and prepare for, manage through or recover from drought.
Read more about Farm investment loansArts
Arts Tasmania
Offers a wide range of funding programs to individuals and organisations at different times throughout the year
Read more about Arts TasmaniaAustralia Council for the Arts
The Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body. Each year, they deliver funding for arts organisations and individual artists across the country.
Read more about Australia Council for the ArtsRegional Arts Fund Tasmania
The program is managed by RANT Arts and supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities.
Read more about Regional Arts Fund TasmaniaScreen Tasmania
Funding and support through loans, grants and equity investments in the development, production and marketing of Tasmanian screen projects.
Read more about Screen TasmaniaEmployment incentives
Rapid Response Skills Initiative
Provides up to $3000 towards the cost of training for eligible people who have lost casual, full-time or part-time work in the last 12 months due to retrenchment, downsizing or business closure.
Read more about Rapid Response Skills InitiativePayroll tax rebate scheme for apprentices, trainees and youth employees
For large companies employing an eligible apprentice, trainee or youth.
Read more about Payroll tax rebate scheme for apprentices, trainees and youth employeesWage subsidies
Available to employers who hire eligible job seekers including mature age, long-term unemployed, Indigenous, youth or parents.
Read more about Wage subsidiesAustralian Apprenticeships Incentive System
If you are employing an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring, training and retaining an apprentice.
Read more about Australian Apprenticeships Incentive SystemEnergy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Small Businesses on Embedded Networks – Rebates for 2024-25
The Small Businesses on Embedded Networks – Rebates for 2024-25 Program for small businesses in embedded networks provides energy bill relief through a one-time payment of $625 for eligible small businesses.
Read more about Small Businesses on Embedded Networks – Rebates for 2024-25Advancing Renewables Program
Supports a broad range of projects that have the potential to lower the cost and increase the use of renewable energy technologies in Australia.
Read more about Advancing Renewables ProgramBusiness Energy Efficiency Scheme
BEES supports electricity customers with annual consumption of more than 150MWh invest in energy efficiency and electrification opportunities by supporting eligible applicants with financing costs.
Read more about Business Energy Efficiency SchemeClean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
CEFC co-finances or co-invests with renewable energy companies in low emissions and energy efficient technologies.
Read more about Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)Energy Saver Loan Scheme
The Energy Saver Loan Scheme provides no-interest loans between $500 and $10,000 to eligible applicants to ease the up-front cost of making energy efficient investments.
Read more about Energy Saver Loan SchemeEvents Tasmania
Events tasmania funding
Events Tasmania aims to encourage event organisers to stage their next event in Tasmania by providing funding and development assistance.
Read more about Events tasmania fundingExport
Accelerating Trade Grant Program
The program provides grants of up to a 50 per cent contribution towards specific off-island activities that support market growth and diversification opportunities for Tasmanian businesses. This includes activities such as promotional events or campaigns, market research and business matching services, and inbound buyer visits.
Read more about Accelerating Trade Grant ProgramExport Finance Australia Small Business Export Loan
Export Finance Australia may help small business exporters access the finance their business needs to support an export contract when their bank is unable to do so..
Read more about Export Finance Australia Small Business Export LoanTasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES)
Assists shippers to transport goods by sea, between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.
Read more about Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES)Tourism and Hospitality
TICT Emissions Reduction Initiative
The Initiative, supported by the Tasmanian Government, is supporting tourism businesses to better understand their emissions profile; take steps to reduce it; and get a helping hand to begin carbon accounting.
Read more about TICT Emissions Reduction InitiativeRegional Tourism Development Loan Scheme
The scheme is available to promote investment in tourism products and experiences that stimulate regional tourism and dispersal in Tasmania.
Read more about Regional Tourism Development Loan SchemeWine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants
The grant program supports producers who add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions. Producers will be able to access an annual grant reflective of their eligible physical cellar door sales.
Read more about Wine Tourism and Cellar Door GrantsSupport
Mental health support
Mental health and wellness
Running and managing a business can be meaningful and rewarding, it can also be incredibly stressful and isolating for owners both new and established.
Read more about Mental health and wellnessTraining and learning opportunities
Business Resource Efficiency Program
Increasing resource efficiency can help to reduce your business costs, improve resilience and protect the environment. This means limiting consumption of materials, and reducing the amount of waste your business produces.
Read more about Business Resource Efficiency ProgramCyber Wardens Training
This free training is made for busy small businesses with quick and simple cyber safety solutions. No tech skills required.
Read more about Cyber Wardens TrainingDigital Ready Fundamentals Course
This free self-paced online course will give you all the building blocks you need to get started in the core digital skill areas for your business. Topics include digital strategy fundamentals, branding and communications, web design, social media and others.
Read more about Digital Ready Fundamentals CourseDigital Solutions program
A low cost program, Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services program works with small businesses to make the most of digital tools as well as offering broader business advice.
Read more about Digital Solutions programFirst Nations Tourism Mentoring Program
This program supports First Nations tourism businesses to grow and achieve their goals by connecting them with skilled, experienced and culturally respectful industry specialists who provide free one-on-one advice and support.
Read more about First Nations Tourism Mentoring ProgramFree business advice
Access no cost business advice across any business related topic with our network of independent, experienced business advisors.
Read more about Free business adviceHelp to get your business online
To help you get started or build your digital skills, The Department of State Growth is helping businesses take the next step online and offers a range of tools, free one-on-one coaching, seminars, webinars and information for all skill levels through the Digital Ready Program.
Read more about Help to get your business onlineOnline events
Online events are offering you fantastic opportunities to expand your knowledge or help you along your business journey. Find an excellent range of Tasmanian specific events here.
Read more about Online eventsRegional Tech Hub
The Regional Tech Hub offers independent advice and support to regional Australian residents and business owners. The hub helps navigate often confusing phone and internet options and technical issues.
Read more about Regional Tech HubSelf-employment assistance
Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. The program allows you to choose the level of support that meets your needs and the needs of your small business. Self-Employment Assistance replaced the New Business Assistance with NEIS program in July 2022.
Read more about Self-employment assistanceThe Shift Lab
The Shift Lab incubation program helps social enterprises and those focussed on positive impact over profits. Through workshops and mentoring you’ll gain clarity on your purpose, learn how to create sustainable revenue, how to talk about your impact and more.
Read more about The Shift LabTourism Australia
Tourism Australia are holding weekly webinars with different speakers covering different COVID-19 tourism industry recovery related topics.
Read more about Tourism AustraliaTourism Industry Council Tasmania
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania have a podcast called Talking Tourism, that provides excellent insight for Tasmanian tourism operators. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts, or click here.
Read more about Tourism Industry Council TasmaniaTasmanian small business grant recipients
This page lists the recipients of recent Tasmanian Government grant programs for small businesses.
These programs are all now closed for applications. Refer to the information above for currently available funding opportunities.