Welcome to our guide on business support programs for struggling owners in Australia.
Here at Australian Business Magazine, we’ve researched government grants, tax incentives and free business support available across every state and territory. We regularly review official government sources to keep everything accurate, relevant, and up to date.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Government grants and funding at the federal and state levels
- Tax incentives like the instant asset write-off and R&D offset
- The 2026 capital gains tax changes
- Free financial counselling services
- Mental health support built for business owners
- How to apply and avoid common mistakes
Read on to find the right support for your business.
What Business Support Programs Exist in Australia?
Australian businesses have access to a wide range of support, including funding opportunities, tax offsets, free coaching programs and financial counselling services. Most of these programs are available at no cost and are funded by governments at the federal, state, and local levels.
Here’s a breakdown of the main types available:
- Federal Government Grants: The business.gov.au grants and programs finder lists hundreds of active programs at any given time. You can filter them by your industry, location, and business stage. Most grants don’t need to be repaid but come with reporting obligations.
- State and Territory Funding: Every state and territory runs its own grant programs on top of the federal ones. Funding amounts, eligibility rules, and closing dates vary from state to state, so you’ll want to check your local government portal regularly.
- Self-Employment Assistance: This federal program gives eligible business owners up to 39 weeks of income support. You also get matched with a business coach who helps you build a plan. It’s one of the most accessible entry points for anyone on income support.
- Tax Incentives and Offsets: Programs like the instant asset write-off and the R&D tax offset can lower your taxable income massively, while startup tax relief may provide additional benefits for eligible businesses. We’ll cover these in detail in the next section.
- Free Advisory Services: Queensland’s Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program pairs you with experienced volunteer mentors at no cost. The federal Digital Solutions program also runs low-cost workshops and one-on-one advisory sessions for small businesses across Australia.
You don’t have to figure all of this out on your own. As a good starting point, we recommend using business.gov.au grants finder or giving a quick call to your state’s small business hotline.
Tax Breaks for Struggling Businesses
Struggling businesses can use the instant asset write-off, loss carry-back and the R&D tax offset to reduce their tax bill. The Australian Government introduced these tax incentives to encourage investment, innovation, and business growth.
Let’s have a closer look at these benefits.
The Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off
The instant asset write-off lets small businesses claim a full tax deduction on assets costing less than $20,000. To qualify, your business must have an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million and use the simplified depreciation rules.
If you meet these requirements, you can claim the deduction in the same year the asset is first used or installed ready for use, rather than depreciating it over several years.
The 2026-27 Budget made this incentive permanent from 1 July 2026. So if you’re a cafe owner in Parramatta who just bought a new coffee machine for $6,000, you can deduct the full amount on this year’s tax return.
Tax Planning Tip: Preserve the invoice, proof of payment, and installation records together. Your accountant will need them to support the deduction. Keeping accurate records will also make it easier to claim other small business incentives you may be eligible for.
How Loss Carry-Back Works for Companies
Did your business make a loss this year? You may still be able to benefit at tax time. The loss carry-back tax offset allows eligible companies to offset a current-year tax loss against tax paid in one of the previous two income years. That means you may receive a refundable tax offset from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
One of the benefits here is the potential cash flow boost. If your company’s aggregated turnover is less than $1 billion, you may qualify for the loss carry-back tax offset.
It’s also worth asking your accountant whether you can claim the R&D tax offset alongside it.
The R&D Tax Offset for Eligible Businesses
The R&D tax offset can refund nearly half of your research spending, even if your company made no profit. For Australian companies with a turnover under $20 million, the refundable offset rate is 43.5%. That’s the 25% company tax rate plus an 18.5% premium on top.
From 1 July 2028, the federal government plans to increase these offset rates for core R&D activities even further. So if you’re investing in product development or testing new processes, this section of your tax return deserves a close look.
That’s especially important if some of your projects didn’t go as planned (failed experiments may still qualify under the right circumstances).
How Do the 2026 Capital Gains Tax Changes Work?
The 2026 capital gains tax reforms replace the 50% CGT discount with cost base indexation and introduce a 30% minimum tax rate on capital gains from 1 July 2027. This is the biggest shake-up to capital gains rules since 1999, and it affects anyone holding investments, property, or business assets outside of super.
The table below breaks down every major change coming into effect:
| Feature | Old Rules (Before July 2027) | New Rules (From July 2027) |
| CGT discount | 50% discount on gains held 12+ months | Replaced by cost-of-living indexation |
| Minimum tax rate | Taxed at your marginal tax rate | 30% minimum on capital gains |
| Pre-CGT assets | Fully tax-free | Brought into the CGT net for future gains |
| New builds | 50% discount | Choice of 50% CGT discount or indexation |
| Main residence | Exempt | Still exempt |
| Small business concessions | Available | Still available, consultation ongoing |
For most investors, the practical impact comes down to how much they originally paid for the asset. Under the old 50% CGT discount, half your gain was simply wiped off. But under indexation, only the inflation-adjusted portion gets removed. So if you bought an asset cheaply and it grew substantially in market value, you’ll likely pay more tax on the sale.
Founders and startup owners will feel this change the most. That’s because shares in a self-created business often have little or no cost base to begin with. And when there’s very little to index, a larger share of the capital gain becomes taxable (it may influence how you approach an eventual exit).
In all that, the good news for small business owners is that the existing small business CGT concessions aren’t going anywhere. The government has confirmed they’ll remain, though consultation is still underway on how they’ll interact with the new rules for early-stage innovation companies and startups.
Where Can You Get Free Financial Counselling?
Free financial counselling is available through the Small Business Debt Helpline, rural financial counselling services and your bank’s hardship team. You can access these services directly without a referral, and everything you discuss is kept confidential.
The sections below explain how each service works.
The Small Business Debt Helpline
The Small Business Debt Helpline offers free, confidential financial counselling to any business owner in Australia. You can call 1800 413 828 or jump on their live chat between 9 am and 5:30 pm on weekdays.
Their counsellors specialise particularly in business debt. They can help with everything from loan repayments and lease disputes to unpaid supplier invoices and ATO debts.
The 2026-27 Budget extended funding for this service through to June 2027. So it isn’t going anywhere soon, and that’s worth knowing if you’ve been putting off making the call.
Rural and Regional Financial Counselling
Apart from the national helpline, regional business owners can access dedicated counselling programs in their area. For one, the Rural Financial Counselling Service gives free, independent support to farmers, fishers, and forestry operators facing financial hardship.
In Queensland, the state government also funds its own small business financial counselling program. It covers everything, including business health checks and debt negotiation for local owners across the state.
Your bank can help, too. Most major lenders run hardship teams that can defer loan repayments, waive fees, or restructure your debt if you’re in trouble.
Professional Advice: If your situation involves complex legal or tax issues, consider seeking advice from a qualified lawyer or tax professional in addition to working with a financial counsellor.
Available Mental Health Support for Owners
Mental health support for business owners includes free coaching through Beyond Blue, 24/7 crisis lines, and state-funded wellbeing programs. The government recognises the pressures that small business owners face and funds a range of support services to help.
Below are four programs you can access right now, all free and confidential:
- NewAccess Coaching Program: Beyond Blue runs this guided six-session program specifically for small business owners and sole traders. Coaches with small business experience deliver every session, and you can join by phone or video call without a GP referral.
- Ahead for Business Hub: This digital platform was built for business owners who want to track their mental health over time. It includes self-assessments, wellbeing plans, and links to professional support. You can use it on your own schedule without speaking to anyone first.
- Lifeline and Beyond Blue: Both services offer 24/7 crisis support by phone and online chat. Lifeline’s number is 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue’s is 1300 224 636. If you’re going through a rough patch at 2 am, someone will pick up your call.
- State Wellbeing Services: Victoria funds free wellbeing coaching through its Small Business Bus and mentoring programs. Meanwhile, Queensland offers dedicated small business wellbeing support through one-on-one sessions. And NSW provides workplace mental health coaching for business owners and managers.
Money, stress and mental health are closely linked for business owners. If you’re sorting out your finances through the programs we covered earlier, it’s worth looking into these services at the same time.
How Do You Apply for These Support Programs?
You apply for most business support programs through business.gov.au or your state government’s grants portal. While the application process varies, you’ll generally need to meet the eligibility criteria and provide supporting documents.
Common Eligibility Requirements
Most programs require an active ABN, GST registration, and proof that your business is currently trading.
The specific rules change from grant to grant, but these criteria show up the most:
- Active ABN registered with the Australian Business Register
- GST registration if your turnover exceeds $75,000
- Minimum trading period (often 12 months or more)
- Business structure that matches the program’s requirements
- Location within the state or territory the grant covers
- A written business plan with clear financial goals
Not every program will ask for all of these documents. Even so, it’s a good idea to have them ready before you apply.
Documents You Need Before Applying
If you miss a required document, your application may be delayed or returned. That’s why it’s worth checking that you’ve included every required attachment before you submit.
These are some of the documents you’ll commonly be asked to provide:
- Your most recent tax return (lodged with the ATO)
- Current BAS statements from the last two quarters
- Profit and loss statement for the current financial year
- Bank statements that show your business’s cash flow
- A detailed budget for how you’ll spend the grant funds
Assessors look for accurate financial information and a clear plan for how you’ll use the funding. So, the more specific your application is, the stronger it will be.
Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Many applications are rejected for reasons that can be avoided with careful preparation.
Here are some of the most common ones:
- Submitting after the funding round closes or runs out of money
- Not connecting your proposal to the program’s stated objectives
- Blank or incomplete sections on the application form
- Requesting funding for expenses that the grant doesn’t cover
- No professional review from an accountant or adviser
If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t rule out applying again. Many funding programs open multiple rounds throughout the year.
Business Tip: Use clear, straightforward language throughout your application. Avoid jargon unless it’s directly relevant to your proposal.
What to Do Right Now if You’re Struggling
Many business owners aren’t aware of the range of free support available in Australia. Government grants, tax incentives, financial counselling, and mental health coaching are all available right now at no cost.
You don’t have to solve everything today. Just pick one place to start. You could call the Small Business Debt Helpline on 1800 413 828, search the business.gov.au grants finder. Or book a free session through Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program.
If you found this article helpful, read our other guides on starting, growing, and protecting your business at Australian Business Magazine.
