Australian Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
Running a small business in Australia? You may be eligible for thousands of dollars in government grants and support to grow your business online. Whether you’re launching a website, investing in e-commerce, or upgrading your digital tools, there’s real money on the table — if you know where to look.
That’s where this guide comes in.
We’ve done the hard work of digging through federal, state and territory programs so you don’t have to trawl through a dozen government sites. Below you’ll find a simple, up-to-date breakdown of grants, rebates and support available, with a clear focus on digital marketing and tech upgrades.
Why governments fund digital marketing
Australian governments invest in small business digital capability for good reason. When a business improves its online presence — like by building a better website or running targeted ads — it often becomes more competitive, more resilient, and more likely to create local jobs.
So the Australian Government supports small businesses with grant funding to accelerate digital adoption. This includes digital marketing strategy, social media training, paid ad campaigns, SEO and e-commerce. Each state and territory has also launched its own set of funding programs, some permanent and others released in annual rounds.
- Queensland funds small business marketing through programs like the Business Boost Grant.
- New South Wales supports precinct-wide advertising through the Uptown Program.
- Victoria helps tech startups break into markets with LaunchVic AgTech grants.
The funding landscape is varied — and constantly changing — but this guide helps you keep track.
What digital activities are eligible?
Different programs cover different costs, but here’s a common list of activities that often qualify:
- Professional website development
- Digital marketing strategy and planning
- Social media campaigns and training
- Paid advertising (e.g. Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
- E-commerce setup and payment systems
- SEO and search visibility improvements
- CRM systems, marketing automation, and cloud tools
- Business apps or customer portals
Most programs won’t fund regular operating costs (like wages), but they will back one-off upgrades that help you grow.
Who can apply?
Each grant has its own rules, but many are open to sole traders, startups or businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Some are targeted at tech startups, others at migrant-owned businesses, and some are open to any business located in a specific region.
The key is to check the eligibility section in each listing — and act early, as some programs close once funds are exhausted.
Quick tips before you apply
- Check if it’s a matched grant. Some programs cover 50 percent of the project cost, so you’ll need to co-invest.
- Get quotes early. Many grants require a clear budget or supplier quotes with your application.
- Don’t wait. If a program is marked “open until funds run out”, treat it like a first-in-best-dressed queue.
- Track opening dates. Some major grants only open once per year, and missing the window can mean a long wait.
Stay up to date — without doing the legwork
We’ve made this guide so you don’t have to check 8 different government sites every month. The table below includes current, upcoming and recurring programs. Each listing includes:
- The name of the program
- Which state or territory it applies to
- Who can apply
- How much funding is available
- Whether it’s currently open
- A link to the official source
We’ll keep it updated regularly so you can come back and check what’s changed.
Popular programs to know about
A few highlights from the funding landscape:
- Digital Solutions Program (Federal): Offers subsidised advice on digital marketing, websites, and e-commerce for businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
- Export Market Development Grants (Federal): Helps businesses claim back costs for international digital marketing, up to $30k–$80k depending on their stage.
- Business Boost Grant (QLD): Provides up to $20,000 for marketing systems, planning, and automation — though it’s highly competitive and opens briefly each year.
- LaunchVic AgTech Grants (VIC): Offers up to $50,000 for early-stage agricultural tech startups, including go-to-market strategy and digital promotion.
- Uptown Program (NSW): Funds large-scale marketing for entertainment precincts, with grants of up to $200,000 for district-wide activations and digital campaigns.
You can view all current and past programs in the full comparison table below.
Got questions?
This guide is general in nature, so it’s a good idea to read each program’s details carefully. If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible or what counts as digital marketing, check the link provided or speak to your local business support service.
If you want help writing a grant application or planning your digital marketing project, we also recommend reaching out to a marketing advisor or your state’s small business hub.
Final word
Digital marketing can be one of the most cost-effective ways to grow — and with the right support, it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Use the funding that’s available. Plan your upgrades smartly. And bookmark this page so you’re always up to date.
Let the government pay for your next website, campaign or CRM. It’s there for you — you just need to know where to look.
View the full grants list ↓
Queensland Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Basics Grants | QLD Program link | Small businesses with ≤4 employees and <$300k annual turnover (first-time grant applicants only). | $7,500 grant (no co-contribution) paid upfront. Funds digital upgrades and skills: e.g. professional business advice, strategic marketing services, website development. | Closed – Round 6 awarded in 2024. Further rounds possible. |
| Business Boost Grants | QLD Program link | Established small businesses (1–20 staff) with >$300k turnover looking to improve efficiency and digital capability. | $10,000–$20,000 matching grant (50% co-contribution). Funds projects in three areas: future planning, adoption of specialised or automated software (incl. CRM, cloud, marketing automation), or staff management systems. | Closed – Round 4 recipients announced 2024. Program paused; future rounds to be announced. |
| Ignite Ideas Fund | QLD Program link | High-growth innovative SMEs/startups in QLD with a minimum viable product ready to scale. Must demonstrate innovation and market potential. | $50,000 to $200,000 grants, typically 1:1 co-funded. Supports commercialisation of new products or services – can cover marketing for scaling, market expansion, and business growth activities (milestone-based). | Recurring – Competitive rounds. Last round (Round 10) in 2023; future rounds expected under Advance Queensland initiatives. |
New South Wales Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uptown Grant Program | NSW Program link | District teams of five or more businesses in a precinct, endorsed by their local council, forming a collaborative business alliance. Available in Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Illawarra. | $100k–$200k for new recipients, $50k–$100k for returning recipients. At least 20% co-contribution required if awarded more than twice. Funds collaborative marketing and events to boost local night-time economies. | Closed – Round 3 closed Jan. Further rounds likely as NSW committed $5.5M. |
| Creative Industries – Connectivity | NSW Program link | NSW-based small to medium arts and cultural organisations (NFPs) partnering with larger creative industry firms. Must show a $30k+ turnover and clear audience development outcomes. | $30,000–$50,000 to support collaborative digital content projects, design partnerships or creative marketing campaigns. | Closed – One-off pilot under the NSW Creative Industries policy. |
| Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Ventures | NSW Program link | Tech startups/innovative SMEs headquartered in NSW with a working MVP. Must have ≤20 FTE, ≤$1M annual turnover, and 50% co-funding ready. Businesses should be pre-revenue or early-stage. | $25,000–$50,000 grants to accelerate commercialisation. Supports product development, customer validation, and launch marketing. | Closed – Applications paused. Expected to reopen for next funding year. |
Victoria Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AgTech Grants Program (LaunchVic) | VIC Program link | Early-stage AgTech startups based in Victoria, less than 24 months old. Must offer innovative solutions for the agricultural sector and show commercial potential. | Up to $50,000 in equity-free funding. Can be used for go-to-market strategy, product development, digital marketing or market entry activities. Includes mentoring support. | Open – Applications accepted until funds exhausted or by 30 June. |
| City of Melbourne Small Business Grants | VIC Program link | New or expanding small businesses located within the City of Melbourne (CBD and inner suburbs). Must have fewer than 20 employees and support local economic activity. | Up to $25,000 (one-time grant). Eligible projects include website development, digital tools, e-commerce setup, or business expansion (excluding wages and ongoing costs). | Closed – Last round closed in September. Recurs annually subject to budget. |
South Australia Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed-Start Program | SA Program link | Early-stage, high-growth startups headquartered in South Australia. Must have an innovative product or service, a clear commercialisation strategy, and meet co-funding requirements. | Seed grants: $50k–$100k (2:1 matched). Start grants: $100k–$500k (matched). Funding supports product development, pilot trials, go-to-market strategy and marketing efforts. | Open – Applications accepted through competitive rolling rounds. |
Tasmainia Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multicultural Small Business Grant | TAS Program link | Tasmanian small businesses owned by migrants who arrived in the last ~10 years. Must show how the funding will support business capability and growth. | $700 to $5,000 for activities like developing a marketing plan, upgrading a business website, or receiving business coaching or training. | Closed – Round 1 ended 31 March. Future rounds subject to funding. |
| Accelerating Trade Grant Program | TAS Program link | Established TAS businesses expanding sales outside Tasmania. Must co-fund 50% of eligible project costs and target new markets (interstate or international). | Up to $10,000 (50% reimbursement). Funds marketing campaigns, trade show attendance, market research, e-commerce expansion or sales visits. | Open – Current round closes 30 June. Recurs annually. |
Australian Capital Territory Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation Connect (ICON) Grants | ACT Program link | Early-stage entrepreneurs and startups based in the ACT. Must be developing innovative products or services with market potential. 1:1 co-funding required. | $10,000 to $30,000 matched funding. Supports proof-of-concept, prototyping, product development, and early marketing and validation activities. | Open – Competitive rounds held regularly. Next round closes 10 April. |
Northern Territory Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Innovation Program (BIP) | NT Program link | Startups or SMEs based in the Northern Territory with a novel product or service. Must participate in a guided commercialisation program across 3 stages with an innovation advisor. | Stage 1: $2,000 advisory voucher. Stage 2: Up to $30,000 to develop MVP or prototype. Stage 3: Additional $10,000 for commercial launch and investment readiness support. | Open – Current round closes 30 June. Rolling intakes available with structured mentoring. |
| Global Trade Scheme | NT Program link | NT businesses with $75k–$10M turnover and at least 12 months of NT operations. Supports new exporters, export expansion and industry cluster projects. | Stream 1: Up to $3,000 for new exporters. Stream 2: Up to $10,000 for expanding into new markets. Stream 3: Up to $50,000 for cluster projects. Covers trade visits, digital marketing, e-commerce for export etc. | Open – Continuous intake until 30 June 2027. |
Australian Federal Grants and Subsidies for Digital Marketing
| Program | Jurisdiction | Eligibility | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) | Federal Program link | Australian small businesses promoting exports. Tiers for new and expanding exporters. Must spend ≥ $20k on eligible export marketing expenses to qualify for support. | Matched grants for overseas marketing costs: up to $30k/year (Tier 1), $50k/year (Tier 2), or $80k/year (Tier 3), depending on business stage. | Open – Applications reopen annually. Multi-year agreements available. |
| Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) | Federal Program link | Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees (including sole traders). Available nationwide through local delivery providers. | Up to 4 hours of personalised one-on-one digital advice plus access to workshops/webinars. Covers digital marketing, websites, social media, e-commerce and cybersecurity. Nominal fee (~$44). | Open – Available nationally. Check local providers. |
