
The government of Victoria attaches great importance to small businesses and startups inside the state, especially the city of Melbourne as it is the economic and financial hub of Victoria. Small business owners in and around the CBD Melbourne not only create employment for citizens but also generate a huge amount of revenue for the government. Realising their importance, Victoria government gives away several grants to businesses within Melbourne CBD.
CBD Small Hospitality Grant VIC
Funding for small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality industry in the CBD area of Melbourne is done through CBD Small Hospitality Grant VIC. It is an ongoing program under which eligible businesses in hospitality can receive a one-time financial assistance of either $5,000 or $15,000. This grant is an additional support to businesses that have already received help through Expansion Program of Business Support Fund.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your hospitality business must be located in Melbourne CBD
- It can be a restaurant, pub, club, bar, café, or a food takeaway facility with a seating capacity of 11 persons or more
- You must be a recipient under Expansion program of Business Support Fund
- Your business must have an ABN and be registered for GST

Free one on one business advisory sessions for CBD businesses
Inner City Business Support is providing businesses located in Melbourne CBD with business advisory sessions. It is an ongoing program under which eligible small businesses in the CBD area can apply for support any time of the year. Attending these sessions can be a great learning experience for business owners in the fields of legal, marketing, financial, and innovation.
Eligibility criteria
- You must have a business in CBD Melbourne
- It must have ABN
- It should have less than 50 employees
- The business must be a registered company or partnership
City of Melbourne Small Business Grants
Melbourne City has a highly competitive grant program called City of Melbourne Small Business Grants that are awarded to eligible entities every year. Under this grant, the eligible business located in the CBD area can get up to $30,000 for launching, expanding, or exporting their products and services in overseas markets. The main aim of this grants program is to motivate and help small business owners in the CBD area to enhance the reputation of Melbourne as a city of innovation and creativity.
Covid-19 Business Grants
The City of Melbourne realizes these are trying times for all of us, especially small business owners who have been badly impacted by Covid-19 pandemic. Under this program called Covid-19, we have tied up with the government of Victoria and helping businesses that have shut down because of financial losses on account of lockdowns and other restrictions imposed by the authorities. Under this program, several grants are being given to business owners with their stores in the CBD area to help them open up safely.
If you own a small business in the CBD area and are interested in applying for a grant/assistance, please contact one of our advisors at the number mentioned below.