Shop Local Business Fund FAQs

Questions about the program

What is the Shop Local Business Fund?

The Shop Local Business Fund provides grants of $5,000 (excluding GST) to eligible trader groups, business chambers, industry organisations and local councils to deliver local initiatives for small and family businesses.

The grant funding can be used to deliver projects that support small businesses to grow their business capability, celebrate and promote the achievements of small businesses and support place-based activations that help increase local business activity.

This Shop Local Business Fund is an initiative funded through the 2026-27 Victorian Budget under the Small Business Activation Fund commitment.

How much grant funding is available?

The Shop Local Business fund will provide up to 200 grants of $5,000 (excluding GST).

How many grants can I apply for?

Each eligible business association and local council can apply for one grant of $5,000 (excluding GST).

Can eligible business associations also apply for a grant through the Multicultural Business Skills Grant Program?

Yes, eligible business associations can apply to both grant programs.

However, a separate application must be submitted for each program. Each application must be for a different project.

Duplicate applications, or applications seeking funding for the same project, activities or costs through both programs, will not be considered.

Will all eligible projects receive funding?

The Department will assess each application against the eligibility and assessment criteria listed in the program guidelines.

Eligible business associations and local councils may receive funding on a first come, first served basis, subject to available funds. This means applications will be considered in date order, with early applications approved for funding first, until allocated funds are exhausted.

Applications will close at 4pm on 30 September 2026, or earlier if all funds are allocated.

I have submitted my application. What happens next?

The Department will review your proposed project. If your application is successful, the Department will notify you via an Email of Acceptance by 30 October 2026.

When will I find out if my grant application is successful?

If your application is successful, you will receive an Email of Acceptance from the Department. This Email of Acceptance forms the agreement between you and the Department based on the terms and conditions of the grant listed in the application form and the program guidelines.

How long do I have to complete my project?

If your application is successful, you must complete your project and all required reporting by Wednesday 31 March 2027.

Questions about eligibility

Who can apply for a grant?

To be eligible, applicants must hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and meet the following criteria:

be a business association that is based in Victoria, operating only within the state or as the Victorian chapter of a national organisation, and:
- be a not-for-profit member organisation that supports small businesses
- have the core purpose of acting for its members
- be registered with the responsible federal or state regulator.
be a Victorian local government authority.

What type of projects are eligible for funding?

Eligible projects must benefit small businesses that operate in Victoria. Eligible projects must:

promote and celebrate the offerings and achievements of small and family businesses
support place-based activations that help increase business activity
support small businesses to grow their business capability
build the capability of local business associations to support delivery of services to their members.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information about eligible projects and expenses, including limitations on particular types of expenses.

What activities and expenses can the funding be used for?

Funding must be spent on eligible activities and expenditure that directly help to deliver the funded project.

Eligible activities may include:

business showcase and promotional events, including local business expos, awards and shop local campaigns to build community awareness and trade
website and other digital promotional activities to drive trade and boost activation for the relevant business cohort
business knowledge development, including through training, short courses, workshops and webinars either in-person and/or online
business continuity development, including strategic planning, mental health and wellbeing initiatives and business resilience planning
professional development of business associations to better serve their members, through improved governance and strategic planning and delivery training initiatives.

Eligible expenses include:

new resource development including digital content development costs
expert trainer or speaker engagement, including in language services.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information about eligible activities and expenses.

What activities and expenses are not eligible for funding?

Examples of activities and expenses the grant will not cover include:

projects or expenses incurred prior to a grant agreement being executed
business-as-usual operating expenses, unless a percentage of such expense is deemed an eligible expense in advance by the Department
wages to existing staff or contractors
activities already funded via a local special rate levy/charge
activities that have already received government funding support
purchase or construction of property and/or assets
any other expenditure as determined by the Department that do not meet program objectives.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information about ineligible activities and expenses.

Can I contribute additional funds to increase the total budget for the project and support additional activities?

You can contribute funding from your organisation and other sources to deliver a project worth more than $5,000. However, this funding cannot come from other government programs.

How will my application be assessed?

All applications will be assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria listed in Section 3.1 and Section 6.2 of the program guidelines.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information about how applications will be assessed.

Questions about submitting your application

How do I apply for the grant?

You can apply for a grant through the “Apply Now” button on the program webpage. You will need to complete all questions in the application form.

To be considered for a grant, you must submit your application by 4pm on 30 September 2026. Late applications and drafts will not be accepted.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email to your nominated email address. If you can’t see it in your inbox, check your spam/junk mail.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information about how to apply for the grant.

Can anyone from a business association or local council apply for the grant?

The person applying for the grant must be authorised to submit the application and agree to the terms and conditions of the grant on behalf of the applicant.

This person must be authorised to execute contracts and legally bind the applicant business association.

Please refer to the program guidelines for more information on the authorised representative.

If I need help with my application, who can I contact?

If you need help with your application, you can contact Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

Questions about payments

When will I receive the grant funding?

The Department will pay successful applicants in two instalments:

80% upon the Email of Acceptance being acknowledged by the applicant and provision of a valid tax invoice to the Department
20% upon project completion and provision of all required documentation. This includes a project completion report, evidence of delivery and a valid tax invoice.

How can I show that I have completed my project?

You will need to submit a project completion report to the Department by Wednesday 31 March 2027 along with other evidence that you have delivered your project.

The report must be in the format required by the Department and must describe the activities delivered, the outcomes achieved and related information, such as project expenditure and participation. You will also be required to provide information and data about your project to support the Department’s evaluation of the program.

The Department may request supporting documents, such as invoices or receipts, to verify project expenditure.

What if I don’t use all of the grant funds?

Any unspent funds must be returned, unless otherwise agreed to by the Department.

Will I receive GST with my grant payment?

The Department will add Goods and Services Tax (GST) to your grant payment if you are registered for the GST.

For example, if the approved funding is $5,000 GST excluded, the Department will process payments totalling $5,500 ($5,000 + $500 GST).

The Department will not add GST to your grant payment if you are not registered for GST.

Do I have to keep records of the payment or project?

Yes. Your application and grant expenditure may be audited for up to four years from the program close date of 30 September 2026.

Please keep all records of your eligibility for the grant and, if a grant is received, how the funds were spent, for the entire audit period.