
Aboriginal Business Grants in Australia
There are a vast number of workplace and business opportunities available to the indigenous community in Australia. However, like any other group of people, they may face their own set of challenges. The good news is that the Australian government offers several assistance programs that support the aboriginal community who are interested in starting or growing their businesses. The point of supporting small business expansion and sustainability leads to creating growth in the economy and the overall welfare of the aboriginal people.
The Federal government ensures there are multiple pathways of assistance available to the small business sector especially to bridge the gap between any disadvantaged communities. The government provides initiatives such as the Aboriginal Development Grant program, Aboriginal Skilling program, Aboriginal Tourism Funding program and business and home owner’s battery scheme program, among others.
Aboriginal Grants Program
The objective of the Aboriginal Grants Program is to increase the Aboriginal Australian’s economic participation outcomes through employment, skill development and support of small businesses. Funding is available to assist eligible organisations and individuals in carrying out projects or initiatives to increase the number of Aboriginal Australians who find employment and advance in their chosen fields and endeavours.
The program will help qualified individuals and organisations to obtain funding for mentoring, workforce development, and small business empowerment where a panel led by the department must evaluate an application that an eligible aboriginal applicant must submit. If eligible, the program will provide the successful applicant with a letter of offer that can be used to obtain funds for the business activity.
The Federal government recommends that applicants gain financial and alternative support measures so as to be familiar with the application when registering with the program. Remember that the program cannot fund activities such as buying property, capital goods or equipment, paying employee salaries and administrative charges, among other things. The program only supports the growth of small businesses and other specific projects.
The Aboriginal Skilling Grants
This program offers funding for training to fulfill the requirements of aboriginal people living in urban, rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory. It enables access to training and empowerment of aboriginal individuals through programs that are given on-site in communities that are tailored to the unique needs of these individuals. The goal of this program is to encourage both approved and unaccredited training that connects to neighbourhood initiatives to provide employment possibilities or opportunities for small businesses and economic growth.
Small businesses and other organisations can seek funding by getting information about the application procedures.

The applicants should first get in touch with a Workforce Training Coordinator at their local Trade Department and then complete the necessary application forms. The training covers the potential businesses to open and upskill currently employed aboriginal individuals. It considers the community’s present and future employment demands and other topics such as industrial and community support through its initiatives.
Aboriginal Tourism Funding Program
This program aids in supporting businesses owned by aboriginal people where getting funds is a priority as long as the projects match the objectives outlined in the Northern Territory Tourism Industry Strategy 2030. The program caters for minor infrastructure improvements that improve the availability of aboriginal tourism and contributions to planning materials such as business plans, feasibility plans or master plans. Individuals can book the program online if it aligns with the Northern Territory aboriginal tourism strategy. The successful candidates will have access to up to $5,000 plus GST financing to develop a website with a booking system.
Business and Home Battery Scheme Program
This program whilst not exclusive or limited to the aboriginal community aims to create and provide safe, dependable, reasonably priced electricity to small businesses and households. As part of this strategy, the territory is implementing the scheme to give homeowners and business owners grants to install solar PV systems with batteries or upgrade their current solar PV systems with batteries. If they satisfy both requirements, they may apply as business owners or homeowners using vouchers.
Every recipient will get one voucher for every kilowatt hour of usable battery capacity, up to a maximum of $6,000. Applicants will be liable to pay any eligible works valued beyond this sum directly to the provider. Eligible recipients must obtain a quotation from a business, that will then be submitted to the department in order to receive the voucher.
Aboriginal Small Business Grants
Aboriginal Business Growth Grants: This program is open to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents who want to access expert advice systems and services to enhance their productivity, viability and how they can maximise their profits in their businesses. Eligible recipients may additionally use the program if they need assistance or mentorship in implementing the program’s recommendations. For one to access the program, they should have a written plan where they have the option to submit more than one application every fiscal year.
However, the total funding requests across all submissions should be less than $10,000. One should submit the applications to the department and adhere to all policies, procedures, and other additional guidelines that the department may occasionally establish. The eligible recipient must complete the steps such as choosing their primary business sector, identifying business structure, and including their business plan; alternatively, they may respond to questions that show they have a clear plan for the future of their company.
The Business Pivot Funding Program
The program’s goal is to ensure that small businesses are shifting to the economic times by helping them either in expanding into new areas or increasing their visibility and profit margins via enhanced capabilities and new technology. By improving their digital skills, deploying new technologies, buying new equipment or making infrastructure changes, applicants can utilise the funding provided by the program to enter into new markets and develop a product or a service that their customers previously could not access. The grant funding can also assist in initiatives that will boost visibility and profitability through better digital capabilities.
Grants for Aboriginal Business
The Federal government has multiple grants and financial assistance programs that will support aboriginal communities to start and grow their small businesses. These programs provide funding to ensure that the small businesses are running efficiently and can shift during low economic times. The government offers various programs and schemes that are aimed at serving the different needs of aboriginal communities experiencing financial constraints and limitations in starting a small business or who lack the knowledge and strategies in launching a business. If you are looking for an assistance program that will help you get started please call us now and speak to one of our representatives who will be available to guide you.