Looking to expand your business? The Business Expansion grants are targeted to assist with the expansion of an existing, innovative small business.
Open to: small businesses located in the City of Melbourne municipality.
Grants for: the expansion of new, innovative activities, products or services or a create collaboration in a business expansion phase.
Grant value: up to $30,000.
What can I claim?
Assessment criteria
Before you apply
How to apply
How to submit your application
What is business expansion?
Business expansion is defined as:
- an existing City of Melbourne small business introducing a new, innovative activity / product / service or a creative business collaboration as part of its expansion phase
- an existing innovative small business relocating to or within the city as part of its business expansion process.
Only one grant will be made to an eligible business.
What can I claim?
The business expansion grant supports the following categories of expenditure, directly related to establishing a business, or as part of a business expansion process:
- the costs associated with improving the façade and fit-out of business premises
- the costs associated with the development or enhancement of a business website
- the costs associated with purchasing IT equipment for the operation of the new business or as part of the business expansion activity
- the costs associated with purchasing specialised equipment / software that is directly related to the operation of the new business or as part of the business expansion activity
- expenditure items that are not listed above but that can be demonstrated as significantly crucial for the expansion of a specialised business.
General operational expenses including rent, utilities, training, marketing, networking and staff remuneration are not considered.
Assessment criteria
Each application will be assessed against the Small Business Grants objectives and assessment criteria.
An assessment report is prepared for consideration by an external independent review panel (IRP). The IRP will consider the conforming applications on a competitive and merit basis and make recommendations to specific council committee for approval.
Applications that offer the most valuable contribution to the achievement of the program objectives and those that are consistent with Council’s strategies will be offered grants. Preference will be given to businesses that:
- demonstrate that the proposed business expansion activity has a strong point of difference and does not duplicate existing products/ services available in the city
- demonstrate that the proposed business expansion activity is not organic growth but a new product/service
- demonstrate ‘business readiness’ (that the proposed new product/service is well-researched, planned and financially viable)
- have a level of existing business success, supported by financial documentation. deliver measurable economic benefits to the City of Melbourne
- demonstrate sustainable business practices
- are in one City of Melbourne’s key target industry sectors.
The City of Melbourne’s key target industry sectors are:
- advanced manufacturing
- biotechnology
- finance and business services
- environment services
- creative industries
- higher education
- information and communication technologies
- hospitality and retail.
On average, applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome three months from the closing date of the application. All decisions are final. There will be no review or appeal process. However, unsuccessful applicants are eligible to re-apply.
See previous expansion grant recipients.
Before you apply
Please ensure you have read the Small Business Grants guidelines before you apply:
How to apply
See Small Business Grants.