Helping high-growth Queensland small businesses scale with funding for specialised equipment

The Business Growth Fund (BGF) is a competitive grant scheme from the Queensland Government for small, high-growth businesses to scale up by funding specialised equipment that boosts productivity, capacity and employment potential.

What the Grant Covers

Eligible small and family businesses can receive funding of between $50,000 and $75,000 (ex GST) for eligible projects. Projects must have total costs of at least $100,000 (ex GST) with a co-contribution of at least 50% of total project costs. Funds can be used for the purchase, installation, configuration, training and delivery of eligible specialised equipment.

Examples of Eligible Projects and Equipment

The grant supports acquisition of innovative or specialised equipment/tools that directly help to scale business growth, including:

• Production equipment to meet growth demand
• Advanced manufacturing or digital equipment and systems
• Advanced logistics systems and equipment

Projects must be new (not yet commenced), and demonstrate a clear link to increased production capacity, competitiveness, employment or economic benefit.

Ineligible projects/costs include general operational assets (e.g., standard office ICT, vehicles, office furniture), everyday business expenses (salaries, rent, legal fees, stock), and any costs incurred before the Funding Agreement is signed (e.g. deposits).

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, your business must:

• Be a Queensland-based small business with Queensland headquarters
• Have fewer than 20 employees (excluding owners, non-executive directors, and certain contractors)
• Have annual turnover between $500,000 and $10 million in the last financial year.
• Have been trading for at least three years and show two years of high growth (on average 20% per year growth in turnover and/or employment).
• Be financially sound, solvent, and not have owners/directors who are undischarged bankrupts
• Not have previously received BGF funding.

Additional Conditions

• No purchases, deposits, or contracts can be made before the Funding Agreement is signed.
• All purchases must be new equipment (not used, not refurbished).
• Equipment must be owned by the applying business. Leasing, renting, or financing through hire purchase is not eligible.
• Co-contribution must come from the business’s own funds (not other government funding).
• Equipment must remain in Queensland.

Key Dates

Stage 1 (Registration of Interest) closes at 5:00pm AEST, 30 January 2026. Earliest project commencement start is on execution of the Funding Agreement. Projects must be completed within 18 months, by 27 November 2027.

How to Apply

1. Review the full Program Guidelines (PDF) to confirm your eligibility.
2. Register via the official application portal, SmartyGrants, and submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).
3. If shortlisted, complete a Full Application, outlining project details, equipment quotes, costings, and growth rationale.
4. If approved, enter into a Funding Agreement, then proceed with project procurement and implementation.

Key Considerations

• Funding is competitive and based on merit. Evaluation considers growth potential, job creation, value for money, and benefit to Queensland economy.
• Grants will be paid in three milestone payments: 20% on acceptance, 40% on interim progress (3-month report), 40% on project completion.
• Recipients must retain all evidence (supplier quotes, invoices, receipts, bank transactions) for seven years for audit purposes.

Further Information

To find out more about the program, application and eligibility criteria, click here.

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