Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses may have extra support options available that are specific to First Nations businesses.

Other funding options might be open to anyone, but with First Nations businesses strongly recommended to apply.

Where to find grants and funding

Start by checking Business Victoria and Business.gov.au for available grants. You can use the ‘Indigenous businesses’ filter option to narrow the search results:

• Business Victoria grants and programs
• Business.gov.au grants and programs finder

Melbourne businesses might also be interested in the City of Melbourne’s Aboriginal Community grants program.

Start-up capital for a First Nations business

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) has several financing options for new businesses, including:

• Start-Up Finance Package – a loan of up to $100,000 with up to 30% of the loan awarded as a grant to purchase assets for your new business.
• Business Loan Package – a loan of between $10,000 and $5,000,000 to help with working capital requirements, purchase of existing businesses, plant and equipment and other commercial assets.

Otherwise, sourcing start-up capital is much the same as getting financing for any new business.

Our Sources of finance page explains common options for new businesses, including bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors.

Financing options for existing First Nations businesses

IBA also has financial support options available for existing businesses:

• Business Loan Package – a loan of between $10,000 and $5,000,000 to help existing businesses grow or restructure.
• Invoice finance – to help your business take advantage of new contract or sales opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.

Getting financial guidance

Indigenous helpline and free Tax Help

Contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you have any questions about tax or super. You may also be able to get free Tax Help during tax time.

Find a business adviser

Starting and running a business is a challenging task. You might want to consider talking to a business adviser.

See Aboriginal business networks and support for more options.