Questions about the Aboriginal Business Investment Program

What is the Aboriginal Business Investment Program?

The Aboriginal Business Investment Program provides grants to eligible Aboriginal businesses operating in Victoria. The program aims to enable these businesses to access resources to sustain or grow their business. There are two grants on offer under this program:

What is the definition of an Aboriginal business?

The program guidelines define an Aboriginal business as one that is at least 51% owned and operated by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

An Aboriginal business’s status may be verified through organisations such as the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, Supply Nation, Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Led (including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations).

What is the Aboriginal Business Support Program?

Grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 (excluding GST) are available for business support that will improve the operations and financial sustainability of an Aboriginal business.

These funds can be used for activities including training, mentorship, networking, marketing, expert advisory services and accreditation.

What is the Aboriginal Business Growth Program?

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 (excluding GST) are available to support investments that help Aboriginal Victorian businesses grow and develop.

These funds can be used to buy new equipment, complete building alterations or get technical advice and training.

How many grants can I apply for?

You can apply for:

  • one grant per ABN in the Aboriginal Business Support Program, and/or
  • one grant per ABN in the Aboriginal Business Growth Program.

Do successful applicants have to sign a contract to participate in the program?

Yes. If your application is successful, you will be offered a grant. As part of this you will receive a contract (Grant Agreement) to sign.

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

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions aims to notify all applicants of the outcome of their fully completed and submitted application from October 2024 onwards. There may be delays if your application:

  • does not meet all the eligibility criteria
  • does not have correct evidence or documentation
  • has incorrect information, such as the wrong ABN.

When will I receive the grant payment?

Grants in the Aboriginal Business Support Program will be paid in two instalments. 85% will be paid after the Grant Agreement is executed. 15% will be paid upon receipt of the final project report. For more information see the program guidelines.

Grants in the Aboriginal Business Growth Program will be paid in three instalments. 70% will be paid after the Grant Agreement is executed and upon receipt of the project plan, 20% will be a milestone payment, 10% will be paid upon receipt of the final project report. For more information see the program guidelines.

When do I need to complete my proposed project or activity?

All projects and activities must be completed and funding expended by Saturday 31 May 2025.

Questions about eligibility

Are all Aboriginal businesses eligible to apply?

Businesses must be based in Victoria, have an active ABN and be registered for GST.

They must also have an economic connection to regional Victoria. This can include:

  • a presence in regional Victoria
  • operations that service regional Victoria
  • regional suppliers and supply chains.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria as specified in the guidelines.

Do I have to be registered for GST to be eligible?

GST registration for your business is one of the eligibility criteria for the grant program. You need to be registered for GST before submitting an application. The closing date for applications is Friday 6 September 2024.

For GST registration information, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.

My business delivers services to Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities but is not Aboriginal owned. Can I still apply?

No. To be eligible for these grants your business needs to be at least 51% Aboriginal owned.

This grants program is providing grants to Aboriginal owned businesses to access resources that will help to sustain or grow their business.

How do I know if my business is considered regional?

To be eligible your business must have an economic connection to regional Victoria. This can include:

  • a presence in regional Victoria
  • operations that service regional Victoria
  • regional suppliers and supply chains.

You can check if your business is located or operating in regional Victoria by visiting the Regional Development website.

My business is registered as a not-for-profit, can I apply for a grant?

You can apply to the Aboriginal Business Growth Program if your organisation delivers economic benefits and service to the community. You will need to provide evidence of this as part of the application.

You can seek approval from the department to apply for the Aboriginal Business Growth Program via emailing evidence to AED@ecodev.vic.gov.au

My business is a social enterprise, am I eligible to apply for a grant?

You can apply to the Aboriginal Business Growth Program if your organisation delivers economic benefits and service to the community. You will need to provide evidence of this as part of the application.

You can seek approval from the department to apply for the Aboriginal Business Growth Program via emailing evidence to AED@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Can a community organisation which delivers dedicated support services (health, housing, legals, case management) apply?

Your organisation must be delivering goods or services for profit to be eligible to apply.

Will all eligible applicants receive funding?

This is a competitive grant process. Not all eligible applicants will receive funding.

Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria detailed in the program guidelines, and how well this has been addressed within the application.

What types of expenses are eligible for funding?

Eligible expenses are those that support businesses to improve operations and their financial sustainability. Eligible activities and expenses can include:

  • business advisory services, like financial planning and legal help
  • buying equipment and materials
  • building skills including through mentoring
  • joining networks and organisations
  • obtaining business accreditations
  • attending relevant business conferences in Victoria
  • marketing and promotion
  • product development and testing.

What types of expenses are not eligible for funding?

Ineligible expenses include:

  • operational costs such as existing staff wages, travel, entertainment, accommodation, and vehicle hire
  • international travel expenses for conferences or events
  • activities that have already received government support (including local, state, and federal government funding)
  • expenses for activities or costs that have already occurred.

I want to apply for a grant to buy equipment for my business, does the equipment have to be brand new?

Items must be new to your business. You can propose to buy second-hand items where appropriate, such as second-hand business equipment or vehicles.

I want to apply for a grant to do minor building works without a permit, what works are eligible?

Minor works may include activities such as painting or installing a new kitchen, where you don’t need a permit.

You can email AED@ecodev.vic.gov.au or contact one of our business delivery partners if you have specific questions about whether your proposed minor works may be eligible for funding.

Will I have to spend the entire grant in Victoria?

The funding must be expensed in Victoria and demonstrate a connection to regional Victoria.

Your supply chain may include interstate or international businesses where relevant.

The program guidelines refer to a co-contribution, is this mandatory?

Applicants for the Aboriginal Business Growth Program may choose to make a financial co-contribution to their proposed project.

If you choose to do this, you must provide evidence as part of your application to show that the business is in a financial position to contribute the funds.

Questions about submitting an application

How do I apply for the grant?

You can apply for the grant through the link provided on the Program webpage, which will take you to the application form.

You will need to complete all questions in the application form and upload the necessary supporting documents.

To be considered for a grant, you must submit your application by 5pm on 6 September 2024. Late applications and drafts will not be accepted.

You can confirm that you have submitted your application by checking your nominated email. If you can’t see it in your inbox, check your spam/junk mail.

You are encouraged to reach out to your relevant Aboriginal business support organisation if you would like help with your application.

Please also check the program guidelines for more information about applying for the grant.

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

You can contact one of our business delivery partners if you need help with your application.

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Victoria Ltd

Killara Foundation

Ngarramili Limited

Supply Nation

What specific documents are required when applying?

When applying for the grant, you must:

  • confirm your business is a member of the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce or Supply Nation or provide a letter of support from an Aboriginal-led organisation
  • submit quotations or pricing for proposed goods from suppliers
  • submit itemised quotations for proposed goods or services from a third-party service provider.

Your application and any supporting documentation will be assessed as outlined in the program guidelines.

What should I include in a capability statement?

A capability statement should include information and evidence to show that your organisation has sufficient skills and capacity to deliver your proposed project. This includes information about the size of your business and how long it has been operating.

How does the assessment process work?

A Departmental panel will assess all applications against the following weighted criteria:

  • how well the proposed activities support the grant program objectives and outcomes: 50%
  • planning and delivery of the activities: 30%.
  • supporting regional Victorian Aboriginal Community and Culture: 20%

For further information about the assessment process, please refer to the program guidelines.

Can I get a hard copy of the application form?

You can download a PDF version of the application form.

  • Go to the application portal
  • Click ‘view as PDF’

Is there a project plan template?

You can request a project plan template by emailing the Department at AED@ecodev.vic.gov.au