Explore the latest grants, government support, and opportunities available for Australian small businesses this October — from funding programs and tax incentives to key industry events.
Australia’s small business landscape continues to grow stronger, with new funding, support, and events helping business owners adapt to economic changes and digital transformation. Here are the key highlights and opportunities available for small businesses across Australia as of October 2025.
Federal and State Support Measures
The Australian Government has reaffirmed over $2 billion in direct small business support through the Backing Small Businesses initiative. Key measures include:
- 💡 Energy bill relief: Up to $800 in savings until December 2025.
- 🧾 Simplified licensing and compliance to reduce red tape.
- 🌱 Disaster recovery funding and expanded instant asset write-off schemes.
- 💼 $207 million investment to modernise business registers.
- 🤝 $33 million allocated to support Indigenous entrepreneurship mentoring.
Additionally, small businesses in rural and regional areas will benefit from an extra $1 billion in SME support, particularly targeting agriculture, logistics, and local industries.
Grants and Growth Opportunities
Several federal and state-level grants are open now, offering funding and programs to help businesses innovate and grow:
- 🏭 Industry Growth Program: Grants from $50,000 to $5 million for manufacturing and tech SMEs.
- 🧠 CSIRO Innovate to Grow: A free 8-week online R&D program for early-stage companies.
- ❤️ NewAccess for Small Business Owners: Free mental health coaching available until June 2026.
- 🌏 WA Small Business Growth Grants: Up to $10,000 matched funding for business expansion (closes 3 October 2025).
- 🚀 NSW MVP Ventures Program: Helps startups bring prototypes to market.
- 🔬 BioMedTech Incubator Program: Newly opened $33 million funding round for medtech innovation.
Visit business.gov.au to explore all current opportunities.
October Events for Small Businesses
October is packed with events and learning opportunities for business owners nationwide:
- 🎯 NSW Small Business Month 2025: Free or low-cost events covering AI, digitalisation, cash flow, marketing, and wellbeing.
- 🌐 NT October Business Month: Focused on digital transformation, resilience, and workforce development.
- 🔒 Cyber Security Awareness Month: A national campaign urging small businesses to improve password hygiene and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
These programs provide hands-on guidance and networking to help you modernise your operations and stay secure.
Tax and Compliance Updates
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has received a $999 million boost to strengthen compliance and superannuation accuracy across all small business sectors.
Meanwhile, the government is reviewing a proposed “net cash flow tax”, which experts warn may complicate SME accounting systems if introduced. Small business owners should stay informed and plan ahead for any upcoming tax adjustments.
Funding and Startup Momentum
Australia’s startup and innovation ecosystem remains strong.
- PsiQuantum and DeteQt are attracting deep-tech and quantum computing investments.
- Venture studio Nakatomi recently raised $3.5 million to accelerate early-stage business launches.
This signals growing investor confidence in Australian startups and tech-led SMEs.
Key Actions for Small Business Owners
✅ Claim your energy rebate through your energy provider before December 2025.
✅ Register for NSW Small Business Month and similar state workshops.
✅ Review your cybersecurity as part of October’s awareness campaign.
✅ Apply for grants via business.gov.au.
✅ Monitor tax policy updates and prepare cash flow documentation.
These developments highlight strong national and state support for small businesses in Australia — from easing energy costs to encouraging innovation and digital adoption.
As small businesses continue to evolve through 2025, tools like QRCO.au can help you create digital assets such as QR codes, barcodes, and dynamic business links to boost your marketing and customer engagement.