Grant and tender writing
Grant writing fundamentals video
Grant Application Fundamentals is a refreshed, online version of our popular Getting Grant Ready event series. In this recording of our live session, we guide you through the things you most need to know when applying for funding, particularly through a Government Department. This video will be helpful to anyone who feels unsure of the funding application process, or who would like to know how to make the process easy on themselves.
This video (Grant Writing Made Easy with Business Tasmania) gives you a neat introduction to the grant application process, in 35 minutes. It was recorded live in February 2025.
Here is a copy of the presentation (PDF 2.2 MB).
Business Grants Writing Guide
The business grants writing guide is the complete resource for preparing a grant application. There are worksheets within the Guide that we have provided separately in PDF and Word format so that you can use them for your applications.
Business grants writing guide (PDF 6.7 MB)
- Worksheet 1 - Assess your capacity to take on a grant (PDF 114.1 KB) (DOCX 95.1 KB)
- Worksheet 2 - Assess a project you have in mind (PDF 274.1 KB) (DOCX 93.5 KB)
- Worksheet 3 - Scheduling the work (PDF 471.2 KB) (DOCX 94.1 KB)
- Worksheet 4 - Working up your project (PDF 464.0 KB) (DOCX 93.6 KB)
Other resources for grant writing
A common misconception is that you need to use an advanced vocabulary and complex jargon to apply for a grant. This is just not true. Writing in plain english is always best. 26TEN have written an excellent guide to help you with this, Communicate Clearly - A guide to plain English (PDF).
Grants are only one option for funding your business project. The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman have an excellent resource to help you decide what kind of funding will suit you the best, called the FitsME Guide (PDF).
Getting Grant Ready (PDF 176.2 KB) - this is a handout from our Grant Writing Fundamentals session with some key advice from assessors and contact officers.
Keep an eye on our Event Calendar for our next Grant Writing sessions.
Tendering for government business
The Tasmanian Government delivers workshops on how to prepare government tenders. To receive updates about future workshops, sign up for the Business Tasmania e-newsletter and visit the Business Tasmania events calendar.
Tender Writing Resources
The Tendering Handbook (PDF 3.3 MB) is the complete guide for business owners wanting to win more business.
- Make sure you know what's happening - register to be advised when the government has a tender
- Make government agencies aware of you
- Read the 'Key tips for selling to the Tasmanian Government' fact sheet
- ICN Tasmania supports local businesses by connecting them with buyers and proponents looking to deliver projects in Tasmania and interstate.
The Department of Finance's Selling to Government website provides information to support businesses understand how to participate in Australian Government procurement and contracting opportunities, including:
- Where to find opportunities to sell to the Australian Government
- What rules and processes Australian Government organisations follow when procuring goods and services
- How to respond to an approach to market
- What to expect if you are awarded a contract.
ICT sector specific resources
- Information on the whole-of-government Tasmanian Government ICT Professional Services panel and the Government Information Technology Conditions (GITC) Supplier Accreditation process (PDF 193.3 KB)
- Tasmanian Government ICT Tenders: Common mistakes and reasons for failure (PDF 352.0 KB)
Other suggested resources
APMP Proposal Guide by Larry Newman
How to persuade people who do not want to be persuaded by Joel Bauer and Mark Levy
Persuasive Business Proposals by Tom Sant
Powerful Proposals by David Pugh and Terry Bacon
Proposal Essentials by Jon Williams and BJ Lownie
The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
Writing Winning Business Proposals by Richard Freed, Shervin Freed and Joe Romano
Zilch by Nancy Lublin