Request for Proposals: Business Enhancement Grant Program (Australia)

Deadline: 01-Sep-2026

The Business Enhancement Grant Program supports small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, charities, and eligible property owners in improving the appearance, accessibility, and functionality of neighbourhoods and town centres. Successful applicants can receive matched funding of up to 50% of eligible project costs, with grants capped at $5,000 excluding GST, for projects such as facade improvements, public art, landscaping, accessibility upgrades, creative lighting, and activation of underused spaces.

About the Business Enhancement Grant Program

The Business Enhancement Grant Program is designed to help business and property owners make small-scale improvements that strengthen the visual appeal, functionality, accessibility, and community value of local commercial areas. The program aims to create more vibrant and attractive neighbourhoods and town centres while improving the experience of residents, visitors, customers, and businesses. Supported projects should contribute to the character and economic vitality of the area and encourage stronger interaction between businesses and the surrounding streetscape. Encourage creative expression through public art and design. Activate underused or overlooked spaces. Improve the relationship between businesses and the street. Create more welcoming environments for residents and visitors. Strengthen local economic and community activity. Funding Information The Business Enhancement Grant provides matched funding of up to 50% of eligible project costs.

The maximum grant available is:

Up to $5,000 excluding GST per eligible project. Applicants must contribute the remaining project costs. The grant can cover no more than 50% of eligible expenditure. For example, if an eligible project costs $4,000, the applicant could receive a grant of $2,000 and contribute the remaining $2,000. Projects should therefore have sufficient applicant funding available to meet the required matching contribution. What Projects Can Be Funded? The grant supports physical and creative improvements that contribute to better streetscapes and business environments.

Eligible enhancements may include:

Facade improvements to improve the appearance of commercial premises. Street furniture that improves the usability and attractiveness of public-facing spaces. Universal access upgrades that make business environments more accessible. Public art, including murals and sculptures integrated into the surrounding environment. Creative lighting that improves visual appeal and activation. Landscaping that contributes to an attractive streetscape. Activation of underused spaces to create more useful and engaging community areas. Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to the surrounding neighbourhood or town centre rather than focusing solely on private business improvements. Who Is Eligible? The program is open to several types of applicants connected with eligible commercial properties. Small Businesses

Small businesses may apply if they:

Have between 1 and 19 full-time employees. Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN). Operate within the City of Vincent. Not-for-Profit Organisations and Charities Not-for-profit organisations and charities may be eligible if they: Operate from a commercial shopfront. Lease the relevant premises. Are undertaking an eligible enhancement project. Strata Bodies and Property Owners Strata bodies and property owners may also apply where the relevant commercial premises are leased to eligible small businesses, not-for-profit organisations, or charities. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants or projects are not eligible: Franchise businesses. Businesses located outside the City of Vincent. Projects that have already commenced. Improvements that are primarily routine maintenance. Business signage projects. Product advertising or promotional installations. Projects that have already received funding from the City of Vincent. Applicants should ensure that their proposal represents a genuine enhancement rather than normal maintenance or advertising expenditure. Eligible and Ineligible Improvements A useful way to understand the program is to distinguish between community-oriented enhancement and routine business expenditure. Eligible projects generally improve the shared visual, functional, or accessibility experience of a commercial area. Examples include a creative mural, accessible entrance improvements, landscaping, or activation of an unused space. In contrast, routine maintenance, commercial advertising, product promotion, and ordinary business signage are excluded because they primarily serve standard operational or promotional purposes. Why It Matters Small physical improvements can have a significant effect on how people experience local business districts. Better facades, accessible spaces, public art, landscaping and creative lighting can: Make commercial areas more welcoming. Encourage people to spend more time in local centres. Improve accessibility. Strengthen neighbourhood identity. Support local businesses. Encourage community interaction. Turn underused areas into active spaces. The grant therefore focuses on improvements that combine business enhancement with broader streetscape and community benefits. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their project carefully before submitting an application.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that you are an eligible small business, not-for-profit organisation, charity, strata body, or property owner and that the relevant property is located within the City of Vincent.

Step 2: Develop an Eligible Project

Identify a small-scale improvement that enhances the appearance, accessibility, functionality, or community use of the surrounding area.

Consider whether the project:

Improves the streetscape. Benefits residents or visitors. Enhances interaction between the business and the street. Remember that the grant can cover a maximum of 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000 exclu