Government & Grants
We welcome Bruce Pattens as our resident expert to help SME business apply for grants on a no win no fee basis.
Other grants experts and resources are also welcome. Please contact info@smeaustralia.asn.au
Useful Links:
Connecting Researchers with SMEs using Government Grants
Access and apply for Government Grants - the easy way
SMEAA has devised a simple solution for its members to access and apply for government grants.
This member benefit has been made possible, thanks to Pattens Group Pty Ltd, a company with a
highly qualified and experienced team of professionals that acquire a range of grants for Australian businesses. Bruce Patten is a Foundation Member of SMEAA.
Did you know that every year the Australian Government gives away many billions of dollars in grants to assist Australian businesses. At present there are over 400 grants being offered for a diverse range of industries and activities. The problem is that most businesses are not aware of the grants available or how to successfully claim them.
SMEAA have negotiated an exclusive arrangement with the highly experienced and successful grants consultants, Pattens Group Pty Ltd. Their principal, Bruce Patten, was the original Group Financial Controller for the highly successful bionic ear company, Cochlear Limited, and was responsible for its early development and success. Bruce has over 20 years experience in securing grants for businesses.
Pattens will evaluate the current entitlement of any interested SMEAA member's business to the various grants currently available and then provide you with a written report of those grants, absolutely free. If you decide to appoint Pattens to lodge grant applications on your behalf they will only charge a success fee. That is, no grant, no fee.
To take advantage of this offer please contact :
Pattens Group Pty Ltd
PO Box 838, Hornsby NSW 1630
Telephone : 02 9476 1555 (6 lines)
Toll Free : 1800 PATTENS
grants@pattens.com
www.pattens.com
Please advise them you are an SMEAA member to receive a 10% discount off their standard rates.
Frequently Asked Questions and the List of Government Grants are available to help SMEs
Government Grants to help SMEs
Did you know that every year the Australian Government gives away many billions of dollars in grants to assist Australian businesses. At present there are over 400 grants being offered for a diverse range of industries and activities. The problem is that most businesses are not aware of the grants available or how to successfully claim them. To overcome this obstacle, SMEAA have devised a simple solution for its members.
SMEAA have negotiated an exclusive arrangement with the highly experienced and successful grants consultants, Pattens Group Pty Ltd. Their principal, Bruce Patten, was the original Group Financial Controller for the highly successful bionic ear company, Cochlear Limited, and was responsible for its early development and success. Bruce has over 20 years experience in securing grants for businesses.
Pattens will evaluate the current entitlement of any interested member's business to the various grants currently available and then provide you with a written report of those grants, absolutely free. If you decide to appoint Pattens to lodge grant applications on your behalf they will only charge a success fee. That is, no grant, no fee.
To take advantage of this offer please contact :
Pattens Group Pty Ltd
PO Box 838, Hornsby NSW 1630
Telephone: 02 9476 1555 (6 lines)
Toll Free: 1800 PATTENS
Email: grants@pattens.com
Website: www.pattens.com
Please advise them you are an SMEAA member to receive a 10% discount off their standard rates.
FAQ about Grants
Are grants still available for SME'S in Australia?
Yes. The Government recognises Australia’s two million small businesses play a vital a role in Australia’s economy. A recent government report highlighted that in 2009/10 Australia's small businesses account for nearly 98 per cent of all businesses in the agriculture sector, about 96 per cent in the services sector, about 91 per cent in the mining sector and over 88 per cent in the manufacturing sector and nearly half of total industry employment and a third of industry value-added. Clearly small businesses have a major presence in all industry sectors. There are a number of Government support programs that directly assist small businesses, including the Small Business Advisory Services program. The Government has already committed $48.25 million to fund 37 Business Enterprise Centres around Australia through this program. There are hundreds of other grants and assistance programs available to small businesses and new businesses in Australia.
Could my business be entitled to a grant?
Yes, however, without an accurate assessment of your current business activities, including it's future plans, as well as a full understanding of the grants currently available, it is impossible to know. We recommend you have an experienced grants consultant evaluate your business. Pattens are prepared to conduct this assessment for free so there is no cost to our members, only the potential of free money.
Does the government really pay cash to Australian Businesses?
Yes. A healthy economy provides significant benefits to the government. They include lower unemployment (reducing dole payments and increasing PAYG payments), profitable companies (with more company tax paid), increased exports, better balance of trade figures and ultimately happy voters and re-election. Pattens have successfully secured over $250 million in grants for their clients.
Are grants specific to a type of Industry?
Yes, some grants are industry specific, including tourism, export, climate, manufacturing, agriculture, motor vehicle, steel and films. However there are also a wide variety of grants that are available to other businesses and activities.
Are grants repayable?
No. Grants are cash payments to your business which you are entitled keep. The government also offers support by way of loans in some instances for specific purposes, which are repayable from future sales.
I heard the cost of getting a grant is about the same as the grant they pay. Is that true?
No. Claiming grants can be difficult for the inexperienced. Government red tape and meeting legislative requirement can be overwhelming. Working hand-in-hand with an experienced and reputable grants consultant can simplify the whole process and greatly increase your chances of success. If the consultant only charges a success fee then you are assured of receiving a major share of the grant paid. Pattens have a success rate of over 99% so the risk is minimal.
How many grants are there?
The number and value of grants is continually changing but at present there is around 403 grants currently available to Australian businesses.
How long will it take to receive a grant?
A grant could be received within 5 weeks of an application or up to 12 months depending on the grant claimed and the quality of the information provided to support your application. One this is certain, if you do not apply for a grant, it will never be paid.
Does getting a grant open my business to Government scrutiny?
No. While there is a requirement to keep supporting documentation to support a grant application, this is only consistent with the ATO and ASIC requirements. Routine checks are made on grant recipients but they are strictly limited to only the information about the grant claimed
Types of Grants Available (Nov 2011)
Aboriginal Business Development Managers
Aboriginal Business Development Program
Aboriginal Heritage Projects
Above-the-Line Attachment Scheme
Advanced Development & Marketing (D&M) Program
Advice and Training Grants
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Grants and Assistance
Artist Run Initiatives - Visual Arts
Arts Funding Program
Assistance for Tutorial, Interpreter and Mentor Services
Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement
Australian Apprenticeships
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Australian School-based Apprenticeships Incentive
Australian Technology Showcase
Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment
Automotive Supply Chain Development Program
Automotive Transformation Scheme
Better Business Partnership Project
Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Energy Program
Blue and Green Business Program
Business Advisory Services
Business Clusters Program
Business Development and Assistance Program
Business Loans
Business Review
Caring for our Country Program
CDEP Work Experience Subsidy (CWES)
Central Coast Water Savings Fund
Certain Inputs to Manufacture (CIM)
Chicken Meat Program
City of Sydney Business Awards
Cleaner Fuels Grant Scheme (CFGS)
Climate Change Adjustment Program
Climate Change and Variability Program
Clothing and Household Textile Building Innovative Capability Scheme
Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health and Safety
Commercialisation Australia Volunteer Business Mentor Program
Community Strategic Products and Services
Conference Awards
Conservation Management Documents
Contemporary Music Touring Program
Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program
Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme
CreateBiz
Critical Skills Investment Fund
Deer Industry Research and Development Program
Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support
Drought Assistance
Duty Drawback Scheme
E-Concept
Early Research & Development Program
Early Stage Commercialisation
Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership
Education for Sustainability Grants Program
EFIC Bonding Facilities
EFIC Direct Loan
EFIC Documentary Credit Guarantee
EFIC Export Finance Guarantee
EFIC Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee
EFIC Headway Working Capital Guarantee
EFIC Producer Offset Loan
Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program
Emerging Filmmakers Fund (EFF)
Emerging Renewables Program
Emerging Rural Issues Program
Employer Support Payment Scheme
Employment Assistance Fund
Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program
Enhanced Project By-Law Scheme
Enterprise Connect
Environmental Education Grants
Environmental Research Grants
Essential Oils and Plant Extracts Program
Ethanol Production Grants
Exceptional Circumstances Advice and Re-training Grant
Exceptional Circumstances Drought Declared Incentive
Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies
Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
Exceptional Circumstances Relocation Grant
Experience Plus (Experience+)
Experienced Executives
Export Assistance
Export Market Development Grants
FarmReady - Reimbursement Grants
Festival Travel
Fodder Crops Research and Development Program
Food Integrity and Biosecurity Program
Forest and Wood Products Australia
Fuel Tax Credits
Global Competitiveness Program
Grains Industry Development Awards
Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation Projects
Home-based Business Networks
Home-based Business Workshops
Honeybee Research and Development Program
Horse Research and Development Program
Horticulture Australia's R&D Program
Hunter Advantage Fund
Illawarra Advantage Fund
Indigenous Cadetship Support
Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme
Indigenous Employment Program
Indigenous Research Fellowships
Indigenous Wage Subsidy
Industry and Audience Development Program
Industry Capability Network
Industry Capability Network
Innovation Pathways Program
Innovation Services
Interim Income Support for Farmers
International Exhibitions Program
Investments and Joint Ventures
Irrigation Modernisation Planning Assistance
JobAccess
Joint Venture Agroforestry Program
JUMP
Leadership Program
Live Cattle Exports Industry Assistance
Long Day Care Set Up Assistance
Long Day Care Sustainability Assistance
LPG Vehicle Scheme
Mature Aged Worker Incentive
Minor Cashflow Fund
Motor Vehicle Industry Grants Program
National Arts and Crafts Industry Support Program
National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
National Environmental Research Program
National Health and Medical Research Council Program Grant
National Multicultural Marketing Awards
National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns
National Weeds and Productivity Research Program
New Animal Products Program
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
New Plant Products Program
Next Gen Farmers
NSW Film and TV Industry Attraction Fund
NSW-Gangwon Technology Collaboration Grant (Korea)
On Ground Interpretation Works
On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
Opportunities for Young and Emerging Artists
Organic Systems Research and Development Program
Outback Business Networks
Pasture Seeds Research and Development Program
Pathways Market Ready Grants
Playing Australia Touring Program
Producer Extension Scheme
Production Finance Fund
Production Loan Finance Fund
Promoting Australian Produce
Proof of Concept
Property Services Grants Program
Rare Natural Animal Fibres Program
Recognising Women Farmers
Regional Arts Fund
Regional Business Development Scheme
Regional Business Employment Fund
Regional Economic Transition Scheme
Regional Filming Fund
Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP)
Research & Development Tax Concession
Research & Development Tax Offset
Research & Development Tax Incentive
Research, Development and Extension Projects
Researchers in Business
Rice Research and Development Program
Rural and Regional Skills Shortage Incentives
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Research Programs
Rural People and Learning Systems Program
Safety Solutions Rebate Program
Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme
Scholars and Artists in Residence
Skills and Knowledge
Small Business Advisory Services
Small Business Advisory Services - Natural Disaster Assistance
Small Business Support Line
Space Concession Program
Sport Leadership Grants for Women
Star Initiative Grants Program
Statistical Information Service
Stepping Up - Mentoring Program
Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Projects
Subsidised Energy Audits
Sugar Research and Development Corporation
Supplier Access to Major Projects
Support for Adult Apprentices
Supported Wage System
Sustainability Advantage Energy Saver
Sustainability Advantage
Tailored Advisory Service Grant
Tasmanian Wheat Freight Scheme
Tea Tree Oil Program
Technology and Knowledge Connect
Technology Vouchers Program
Textile, Clothing and Footwear - Corporatewear Register
Textile, Clothing and Footwear - Small Business Program
Textile, Clothing and Footwear - Strategic Capability Program
TradeStart
Tradex Scheme
Transitional Income Support
Travel, Conferences and Major Capital Items
Urban Sustainability program
Venture Capital Limited Partnerships Program
VET Infrastructure for Indigenous People
VFX Placement Scheme
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Western Sydney Business Employment Fund
Wheat Export Technical Market Support Grants Program
Wildflowers and Native Plants Program
Women in Business Growth Strategy Workshop Program
Women in Business Mentor Program - Regional
Women in Business Mentor Program
Women in Global Business Program
Women in Manufacturing Network
Women in Manufacturing Stepping Up Advance Program
WorkCover NSW Mentor Program
Workplace English Language and Literacy Program
Works Projects
Workshops, Industry Intelligence and Networking Program
Young Entrepreneur Mentoring