I Grant you 3 wishes...

Grants and other funding programs are available from the federal, state and territory governments and in some cases from local councils.

Generally there are no grants available for starting a business.

However, there are grants and other assistance available for business activities such as expanding your business, research and development, innovation and exporting.

http://www.business.gov.au/bep2005/grantfinder/grantfinder.aspx

http://business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/Business+Topics/Grants+assistance/

http://business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/Business+Topics/Environmental+management/Environment+grants+and+assistance/Federal+government+environment+grants+and+funding.htm




One more wish granted - Start up grants for Melbourne city:

Small Business Start-Up

Project aim

The Small Business Start-up grant is part of the City of Melbourne's Small Business Grants program. To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be located or intending to locate within the City of Melbourne municipality boundary. Please refer to boundary map in related content.

In addition to the general eligibility criteria, applicants in this category must also:

• be able to demonstrate 'business readiness' (ie the product/service is financially viable and supported by a sound and comprehensive
  business plan); and
• be able to commence the proposed business promptly following the approval of the grant.

Grants of up to $30,000 are available. Only one grant will be made to an eligible business.

Nature of assistance

The Start-up and Business Expansion grants support the following categories of expenditure directly related to establishing a business or as part of a business expansion process.

Capital improvement

• the costs associated with improving the façade and fit-out of a business premise

Website development

• the costs associated with the development or enhancement of a business website

IT equipment

• the costs associated with purchasing IT equipment for the operation of the new business or as part of the business expansion activity

Specialised equipment and software

• the costs associated with purchasing specialised equipment and software that is directly related to the operation of the new business or as part of the business expansion activity

Other

• expenditure items which are not listed above but can be demonstrated as significantly crucial for the start-up or expansion of a specialised business

General operational expenses including rent, utilities, training, marketing, networking and staff remuneration will not be considered.

Eligibility criteria

Small businesses are eligible to apply for a grant that will make a measurable contribution to the Small Business Grant objectives.

An applicant must:

• have a registered Australian Business Number;
• be located or commit to locate within the City of Melbourne municipality; and
• be a sole trader, an Australian registered company, business co-operative or partnership and have documentary evidence of an appropriate legal structure.

Business support groups, such as member-based organisations, are eligible to apply for a grant under the Business Support Services category.

Government departments or agencies, unincorporated associations, franchisees and subsidiaries of larger companies are not eligible to apply.

Branches of foreign companies and individuals/organisations providing trade facilitation services to businesses are not eligible to apply under the Export Entry grants category.