Australian Government Grants for Business Software (2026)

We researched every federal and state program that could help Australian small businesses pay for accounting, payroll, POS, and other software. Here’s what’s actually available — and what’s already closed.

Researched & verified March 2026·8 programs reviewed
1
Federal program open
2
State programs to watch
4
Programs now closed
$20K
Asset write-off threshold
Grant programs change frequently. We verified every program and URL on this page in March 2026. Always visit the official government link to confirm current status before making decisions.

The Honest Truth About Software Grants

If you’ve searched for “government grants for business software Australia,” you’ve probably found articles promising free money for your next Xero subscription. The reality is less exciting.

Most programs that covered software directly — like Victoria’s Digital Adaptation Program ($1,200 rebate) — have closed. The Technology Investment Boost ended June 2023. What is still available falls into three categories:

  • Instant Asset Write-Off for hardware (computers, terminals) — open until 30 June 2026
  • Free advisory services to help you choose software — reopens July 2026
  • State grants in periodic rounds with limited funding (QLD is the best)

Federal Programs

Instant Asset Write-Off

Open
Immediately deduct assets costing under $20,000 each

Hardware such as computers, tablets, EFTPOS terminals, and other depreciable business assets. Note: software subscriptions (SaaS) are generally operating expenses claimed as deductions already — this write-off is primarily for depreciable capital assets.

Eligibility: Small businesses using simplified depreciation rules with aggregated annual turnover under $10 million. Applies per asset. Must be first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026.

Active until 30 June 2026. Threshold drops to $1,000 from 1 July 2026 unless extended again.

Source: ATO website (last updated 9 December 2025). Legislation confirmed by Senate.

Visit Instant Asset Write-Off website

Digital Solutions — Australian Small Business Advisory Services

Paused
Free workshops + low-cost one-on-one advisory (up to 4 hours with a digital adviser)

Advisory services across 5 areas: digital marketing, social media, websites and selling online, business software adoption, and cybersecurity. This is not a cash grant — it provides subsidised expert advice to help you choose and implement digital tools.

Eligibility: Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees and sole traders. All Australian metro and regional areas. Contact your state's lead provider to register.

Paused for new clients from 1 February 2026 to 30 June 2026. Existing clients can access services until 31 March 2026. New client intake reopens 1 July 2026.

Source: business.gov.au (live page, accessed March 2026)

Visit Digital Solutions — Australian Small Business Advisory Services website
What about the Technology Investment Boost? Ended 30 June 2023. If other sites list it as “available,” their data is outdated. The Entrepreneurs’ Programme also closed May 2023, replaced by the Industry Growth Program.

State & Territory Programs

State grants are where small businesses have the best shot at direct funding. Most operate in limited rounds — when the pool is exhausted, the round closes.

Business Basics Grants Program (QLD)

QLDClosed
$7,500 (excl. GST) upfront grant — no co-contribution required

Three priority areas: professional business advice, strategic marketing services, and website build/upgrades. Useful for businesses adopting digital tools for the first time.

Eligibility: QLD small businesses. Eligibility details published with each round's guidelines. Contact basics@desbt.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for enquiries.

Round 6 (Stage 2) closed. Grant recipients have been notified. Subscribe to Business Queensland Connect newsletter for future round announcements.

Source: business.qld.gov.au (live page, accessed March 2026)

Visit Business Basics Grants Program (QLD) website

Business Growth Fund (QLD)

QLDClosed
$50,000 to $75,000 matched grant (50% co-contribution required)

Specialised equipment to drive growth — including advanced manufacturing equipment, digital systems, and logistics equipment. Not typically used for standard SaaS subscriptions.

Eligibility: QLD small and family businesses with fewer than 20 employees experiencing high growth. Covers specialised equipment including advanced digital systems. Competitive two-stage process: registration of interest, then full application.

Registrations of interest for the latest round closed 30 January 2026. This is a competitive program for high-growth businesses — not a general small business grant.

Source: business.gov.au (live page, accessed March 2026)

Visit Business Growth Fund (QLD) website

Small Business Digital Adaptation Program (VIC)

VICClosed
$1,200 rebate (program is now closed)

Previously covered: website upgrades, online marketing, cash flow tools, project management, and inventory management. Delivered through 14 partnered suppliers including Square.

Eligibility: Was available to Victorian businesses with an ABN and GST registration. Program is no longer accepting applications.

Program closed on 5 July 2022. No successor program announced as of March 2026. The page remains on Business Victoria as a reference only.

Source: business.vic.gov.au (page states 'This program is closed')

Visit Small Business Digital Adaptation Program (VIC) website

NSW Grants and Funding Portal

NSWCheck Availability
Various programs — check the portal for current opportunities (472+ grants listed)

Varies by program. Past rounds have included digital adoption grants from $2,500 to $10,000 for eligible small businesses.

Eligibility: Varies by program. The NSW grants portal lists 472+ opportunities across all sectors. Filter by 'small business' and your industry.

NSW runs many grant programs through a central portal. No dedicated small business digital adoption grant is currently advertised, but digital-related programs open periodically. Use the grants finder to filter by your industry and location.

Source: nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding (live portal, accessed March 2026)

Visit NSW Grants and Funding Portal website

Small Business Development Corporation (WA)

WAClosed
Up to $10,000 in co-funded services (Growth Grants — currently closed)

Growth Grants covered business advisory services, marketing, and capability building. No dedicated digital/technology grant currently advertised.

Eligibility: WA-based businesses. Growth Grants provided up to $10,000 in matched funding for business services. Currently closed.

Small Business Growth Grants are currently closed. The only open SBDC program is the $150 Electricity Bill Relief for embedded network businesses. Check smallbusiness.wa.gov.au for future rounds.

Source: smallbusiness.wa.gov.au (live page, accessed March 2026)

Visit Small Business Development Corporation (WA) website

South Australia Business Programs

SACheck Availability
Multiple programs including Powering Business Grants, Growth Accelerator, and AI Capability Pilot

Various programs: energy-efficient upgrades (Powering Business), growth and scaling (Growth Accelerator), AI adoption (AI Capability Pilot). No dedicated small business software adoption grant currently advertised.

Eligibility: SA-based businesses. Eligibility varies by program. Visit business.sa.gov.au/programs/grant-programs for current details.

SA offers several business support programs through business.sa.gov.au. The AI Capability Pilot Program is currently seeking delivery partners. Powering Business Grants focus on energy efficiency. Contact the Office for Small and Family Business for current digital-specific opportunities.

Source: business.sa.gov.au (live page, accessed March 2026)

Visit South Australia Business Programs website

What You Can Actually Do Right Now

  1. Claim the Instant Asset Write-Off

    Hardware (computers, tablets, EFTPOS terminals) under $20,000 before 30 June 2026. SaaS is already deductible separately.

  2. Register for Digital Solutions Advisory

    New client intake reopens 1 July 2026. Up to 4 hours of free one-on-one advice on choosing business software.

  3. Subscribe to Your State’s Newsletter

    Business Queensland Connect, Business Victoria, NSW Business Bureau — get notified when grant rounds open.

  4. Talk to Your Accountant

    They can stack incentives: write-off on hardware, deduct software, apply for grants, and claim training costs.

Real-World Examples

Sole Trader · Sydney

Freelance Designer Buying a Laptop

$585 back at tax time

$1,800 MacBook Air → full deduction under Instant Asset Write-Off (instead of depreciating over 4 years). Xero $34/mo ($408/yr) separately deductible. No grant needed.

Cafe · 6 Staff · Brisbane

POS Upgrade + Software Stack

$1,920/yr deductible

Zeller terminal $299 (write-off) + Xero $52/mo + Deputy $36/mo + Employment Hero $72/mo = $160/mo fully deductible. If QLD Business Basics reopens, apply for $7,500 toward website.

Electrician · 3 Staff · Melbourne

Tradie Software Stack

$2,148/yr deductible

ServiceM8 $115/mo + Xero $52/mo + KeyPay $12/mo = $179/mo. All operating expenses, all deductible. VIC’s Digital Adaptation Program is closed with no replacement.

Grants vs Tax Deductions

GrantTax Deduction
What is it?Cash from the government you don’t repayReduces your taxable income — you still pay, but less tax
AvailabilityLimited rounds, competitive, may be closedAlways available for legitimate business expenses
ApplicationFormal application, business case, documentationClaim on your tax return — keep invoices
Covers SaaS software?Rarely (QLD Business Basics is an exception)Yes — all subscriptions deductible as operating expenses
Taxable?Usually yes — grant income is assessableN/A — it reduces tax, not adds income
Our recommendationApply when rounds open, but don’t waitDo this now. Talk to your accountant.

How to Apply (When a Round Opens)

  1. Check Eligibility

    Each round has specific ABN age, turnover, employee count, location, and industry requirements.

  2. Register on the Portal Early

    State grants require portal registration — verification can take days. Do this before the round opens.

  3. Prepare Documentation

    ABN details, proof of registration, recent BAS or financials, and a description of what you want to buy and why.

  4. Get Quotes from Vendors

    Most grants require at least one quote. Download a pricing page or get a formal quote email from the software vendor.

  5. Write a Clear Business Case

    Explain why the software helps — efficiency, compliance, growth. Don’t just list features.

  6. Submit on Day One

    Many programs are first-come-first-served. Submitting early gives you the best chance before funding runs out.

  7. Keep Every Receipt

    You’ll need proof of purchase and payment. Some grants pay upfront, others reimburse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a grant to pay for Xero or MYOB?
Not through any currently open federal program. Claim the subscription as a tax deduction instead. If QLD Business Basics reopens, the $7,500 could cover software-related expenses. The ASBAS program (reopening July 2026) provides free advice on choosing software, but doesn’t pay for it.
Is the $20,000 write-off still available?
Yes, until 30 June 2026. It covers depreciable assets (computers, tablets, POS terminals) under $20K each. SaaS subscriptions aren’t “assets” — they’re already deductible as operating expenses. After June 2026, the threshold drops to $1,000.
What happened to the Technology Investment Boost?
Ended 30 June 2023. It was a temporary COVID-era measure (20% bonus deduction on tech spending up to $100K). Not renewed. Sites listing it as current have outdated data.
Any grants for software in Victoria?
Not currently. The Digital Adaptation Program ($1,200 rebate) closed 5 July 2022 with no replacement announced. Check Business Victoria for new programs.
I’m in Queensland. Best option?
Subscribe to Business Queensland Connect and wait for the next Business Basics round ($7,500, no co-contribution). Best state grant in AU for digital adoption. Meanwhile, claim software as tax deductions.
Can my accountant help find grants?
Yes. A good accountant can stack incentives: Instant Asset Write-Off on hardware + deduct software subscriptions + apply for state grants + claim training and setup fees.
Are grant payments taxable?
Generally yes — grants are assessable income. But the expense they cover is usually deductible, so the net tax impact is often minimal. Check with your accountant.
How often do state rounds open?
No fixed schedule. QLD Business Basics has run 6 rounds over several years. The best strategy: subscribe to your state’s newsletter and pre-register on grant portals so you’re ready.

All Programs at a Glance

Every program we reviewed. Status as of March 2026.

ProgramLevelAmountStatusCovers Software?
Instant Asset Write-OffFederal$20K /assetOpenHardware only. SaaS already deductible.
ASBAS Digital SolutionsFederalFreePausedAdvisory only. Reopens July 2026.
Tech Investment BoostFederalWas 20%EndedEnded June 2023.
Business BasicsQLD$7,500Between roundsYes. Best state grant when open.
Business Growth FundQLD$50–75KClosedEquipment, not SaaS.
Digital AdaptationVICWas $1,200ClosedClosed July 2022. No successor.
NSW Grants PortalNSWVariesCheck472+ programs. Filter by industry.
SBDC Growth GrantsWAWas $10KClosedServices, not software specifically.
SA Business ProgramsSAVariesCheckAI Pilot active. No software grant.