The Entrepreneurs’ Programme (EP) is the Australian Federal Government’s flagship business support initiative and one of the most underutilised grant opportunities for established Australian businesses. Unlike many grants that target startups or specific industries, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme is designed for businesses that are already operating and want to grow faster, become more competitive, or bring new products and services to market.
The programme operates through several streams, each targeting a different stage of business growth. Together, they offer access to government-funded business advisors, cash grants, commercialisation funding, and research connections, worth up to $20,000 in direct grants and significantly more in advisor services.
This guide explains every stream of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, who qualifies, what the funding covers, and how to apply in 2026.
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Find Out If Your Business Qualifies for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Most established Australian businesses are eligible for at least one stream. Our advisors will be able to guide you to the right opportunities. 📞 Call 1300-005-999 |
What Is the Entrepreneurs’ Programme?
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and delivered through a network of specialist advisors across Australia. It is not a single grant, it is a suite of interconnected programs designed to address different business challenges:
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Entrepreneurs’ Programme: At a Glance (2026) 🏛 Administered by: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources 💰 Direct grant funding: Up to $20,000 (Business Growth stream) 👤 Advisor services: Government-funded specialist advisors at no cost to the business 🎯 Target: Established businesses with growth potential, not startups ✅ Minimum turnover: Varies by stream, typically $1.5M+ for core streams 📅 Status: Open, applications assessed on a rolling basis 📞 To check eligibility: 1300-005-999 |
The 6 Streams of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme
Stream 1: Business Growth (formerly Business Management)
The Business Growth stream connects eligible businesses with a government-funded facilitator, a senior business advisor with deep industry expertise, who works with you to identify growth barriers and co-develop an action plan. Once a growth plan is agreed, the business may be eligible for a matched grant of up to $20,000 to implement specific improvements.
| Who Qualifies | What You Get |
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• Australian business with ABN • Minimum turnover of $1.5 million (or $750K for some sectors) • Operating for at least 3 years • Genuine growth potential in your industry • Not majority-owned by government |
• Government-funded senior business facilitator (at no cost to you) • Customised business review and roadmap • Up to $20,000 matched grant for approved improvements • Access to specialist advisor network • Ongoing facilitated support throughout the engagement |
Grant note: The matched grant of up to $20,000 requires a 50% co-contribution from the business. The minimum grant amount is $2,500. Approved activities include engaging external experts, implementing operational improvements, or developing new business capabilities.
Stream 2: Accelerating Commercialisation
Accelerating Commercialisation is for businesses or individuals with a genuinely novel product, process or service that is ready, or nearly ready, to bring to market. It provides expert commercialisation guidance plus grant funding to cover the costs of taking an innovation from prototype to commercial launch.
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Accelerating Commercialisation: Key Facts 💰 Funding: Up to $1 million (50% of eligible commercialisation costs) ✅ Eligibility: Novel product/process/service not yet commercially available at scale; Australian company or individual 📋 Covers: Prototype refinement, regulatory approvals, IP protection, market testing, commercial launch activities 🎯 Ideal for: Businesses with a breakthrough product that needs funding to scale 📅 Rolling applications, assessed quarterly |
This is one of the highest-value streams in the programme and is highly competitive. Strong applications clearly demonstrate that the product is novel (not an incremental improvement), the market opportunity is significant, and the business has the capability to commercialise successfully.
Stream 3: Innovation Connections
Innovation Connections funds partnerships between Australian businesses and research organisations, universities, CSIRO, and other research institutions. If your business has a technical problem that could be solved through research, this stream funds a researcher to work in your business on that specific problem.
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Innovation Connections: Key Facts 💰 Funding: Up to $50,000 (matched funding for researcher placement) ✅ Eligibility: Small businesses with genuine R&D challenges; must partner with an approved research organisation 📋 How it works: A researcher is placed in your business for 3–12 months to solve a specific technical challenge 🎯 Ideal for: Manufacturers, tech companies, agribusinesses with product or process development challenges |
Stream 4: Research Connections
Research Connections supports businesses forming new collaborative research partnerships with Australian universities and research institutes. Unlike Innovation Connections (which embeds a researcher in your business), Research Connections funds formal research projects where both the business and the research institution contribute.
Stream 5: Incubator Support Initiative
This stream supports Australian incubators and accelerators, not individual businesses directly. However, if your business is operating through or considering joining an accelerator program, understanding this stream helps you identify incubators that have government-endorsed status and can provide enhanced support.
Stream 6: Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS)
ASBAS provides subsidised business advisory services to small businesses with turnover under $2 million. Rather than the government-funded facilitator model of the Business Growth stream, ASBAS connects you with accredited advisors for subsidised consulting on specific business challenges, digital capability, financial management, marketing, and regulatory compliance.
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ASBAS: Key Facts 💰 Funding: Heavily subsidised advisory services (you pay a small co-contribution) ✅ Eligibility: Businesses with turnover under $2 million 📋 Areas covered: Digital tools, online presence, financial management, marketing, business planning 🎯 Ideal for: Smaller businesses not yet eligible for the Business Growth stream |
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Do you qualify for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Stream? Speak to our advisors to assess your situation. 📞 Call 1300-005-999 |
Entrepreneurs’ Programme Eligibility: The Core Requirements
While eligibility varies by stream, the following applies across most Entrepreneurs’ Programme programs:
| ✅ You Likely Qualify If… | ⚠ May Not Qualify If… | ❌ Not Eligible If… |
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• Trading for 3+ years • Annual turnover over $1.5M • Clear growth opportunity identified • Not majority government-owned • Based in Australia with ABN • In a commercially-oriented industry |
• Turnover between $750K–$1.5M • Operating less than 3 years • In early startup phase • Primarily non-commercial (NFP) • Unsure of specific growth goals |
• Majority government-owned entity • Business in liquidation or insolvency • Individual (not an entity with ABN) • Outside Australia • Primarily personal service provider |
Note: The above is a general guide. Eligibility rules are updated by the government periodically. Call 1300-005-999 for up-to-date information.
How the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Compares to Other Grants
| Feature | Entrepreneurs’ Programme | R&D Tax Incentive | State Business Grants |
| Cash grant available | Yes, up to $20,000 | Yes, 43.5% refund | Yes, $5K–$500K |
| Free advisor support | Yes, core feature | No | Sometimes |
| Minimum turnover | $1.5M (most streams) | None | Varies by state |
| Suitable for startups | No, established only | Yes | Some programs |
| Application complexity | Moderate | Low-moderate | Low-high |
| Can combine with other grants | Yes | Yes | Usually yes |
How to Apply for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme in 2026
- Check your eligibility: Call 1300-005-999 or use the online eligibility assessment tool. Confirm your turnover, years of operation and business structure qualify for the stream you’re targeting.
- Connect with a registered facilitator: The Business Growth stream requires engagement with a government-registered facilitator.
- Complete the business review: Your facilitator conducts a structured review of your business and identifies the specific growth opportunities the programme will support.
- Receive your roadmap and grant approval: Once approved, you receive your Growth Plan and, if applicable, grant funding notification. Most approvals take 4-8 weeks from initial application.
Implement and claim: Execute the approved activities and claim reimbursement on completion. Milestone reporting is required for larger grant amounts.
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Apply for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme Applications maybe closed once funding has been fully allocated. Speak to an advisor now to learn how to apply. |
Frequently Asked Questions – Entrepreneurs’ Programme 2026
Is the Entrepreneurs’ Programme still running in 2026?
Yes, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme is an ongoing Federal Government initiative and all major streams remain open for applications in 2026. Program details, funding amounts, and eligibility criteria do change over time, so it’s important to verify current requirements before applying. Call 1300-005-999 for up-to-date information.
How much money can I get from the Entrepreneurs’ Programme?
Direct cash grants under the Business Growth stream go up to $20,000 (matched 50/50). The Accelerating Commercialisation stream provides up to $1 million. Innovation Connections offers up to $50,000 for researcher placements. Beyond the cash grants, the government-funded facilitator services have an equivalent commercial value of $10,000–$30,000 in advisory fees that the business receives at no cost.
Can my business access the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and other grants at the same time?
Yes, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme is designed to complement other government support. Many businesses simultaneously access the R&D Tax Incentive, state-based grants, and the Entrepreneurs’ Programme. There are some restrictions on double-dipping specific costs between programs, but accessing multiple programs for different expenditure is both allowed and encouraged. Our advisors can help you with the right information.
My business has been operating for less than 3 years, can I still apply?
The core Business Growth stream typically requires 3 years of operation and $1.5M+ in turnover. However, the Accelerating Commercialisation stream and ASBAS program have different criteria and may be accessible to younger businesses. Early-stage businesses should also explore startup-specific grants. Call 1300-005-999 to identify what’s available for your stage of growth.
What industries are eligible for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme?
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme is open to most commercially-oriented industries including manufacturing, professional services, technology, agriculture, construction, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and more. Some streams have priority sectors, for example, Accelerating Commercialisation focuses on high-growth, innovation-led businesses, but the Business Growth stream is broadly accessible across industries.
