Brisbane women in business have a new opportunity to invest in the growth of their businesses, with applications now open for the Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant.
Eligible Brisbane businesswomen can apply for up to $5,000 in non-matched funding to help build their business capability through professional services, education and training, or essential business equipment.
Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close at 4:00pm AEST on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
With a total funding pool of $250,000, Brisbane business owners who meet the eligibility requirements should consider applying sooner rather than leaving their submission until the closing date.
What Is the Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant?
The Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant is designed to support women-owned businesses within the Brisbane Local Government Area.
The program is about more than providing businesses with funding. Its broader objectives include helping women business owners grow with confidence, develop their skills, strengthen local business connections and contribute to Brisbane’s economy.
Successful recipients can receive up to $5,000, exclusive of GST, and participate in a 12-month business support program.
The Women in Business Grant program has already provided significant support to Brisbane businesses. According to Brisbane Business Hub, the program has delivered $1.25 million in total value, supported 263 recipients and contributed to 533 jobs.
Who Can Apply?
There are several important eligibility requirements.
Among the current requirements, applicants must:
- have an active ABN registered in Queensland
- have their business headquarters or business outlet within the Brisbane Local Government Area
- be an Australian resident or citizen
- be a woman with at least 50% ownership of the business
- be at least 18 years old
- have been operating and trading for the full 2025–26 financial year
- demonstrate that the business has more than one client
- have annual turnover between $75,000 and $500,000
- not have previously received a Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant.
Businesses also need to satisfy the other conditions contained in the official grant guidelines.
Importantly, this is non-matched funding. Eligible businesses do not have to contribute an equivalent $5,000 to receive a $5,000 grant.
What Can the $5,000 Grant Be Used For?
One of the attractive features of the program is the range of business growth activities that may qualify for funding.
Professional Services
Funding may be available for professional services including:
- business strategy development
- marketing and branding
- ecommerce services
- financial services
- compliance and industry-specific regulatory services.
For a Brisbane small business that has been postponing an important growth project because of cost, the grant could provide an opportunity to bring that project forward.
Training and Education
Eligible education and professional development can include areas such as:
- RTO or TAFE certification
- leadership development
- business strategy
- financial literacy
- digital marketing
- specialist training relevant to the business
- attending or running eligible conventions, expos and business learning events.
The important consideration is demonstrating how the investment will improve the capability and future performance of the business.
Essential Business Equipment
Funding may also be available for equipment that is directly connected to business growth or the delivery of the business’s products and services.
The Brisbane Business Hub gives examples such as a sewing machine for a fashion business, labelling equipment for a packaging business or a camera for a photographer.
The equipment should have a clear connection to the outcomes outlined in the grant application.
Could the Grant Help Pay for Marketing or Ecommerce?
Potentially, yes.
The guidelines specifically identify marketing and brand services and ecommerce services as examples of professional services that may be funded.
That creates some interesting possibilities for Brisbane businesses wanting to improve how they market or sell their products and services.
However, there is an important distinction between investing in growth and paying normal ongoing business expenses.
For example, the guidelines specifically exclude the maintenance of existing digital technologies and website hosting costs.
Applicants should therefore clearly demonstrate that a proposed digital or marketing project is creating new capability or contributing to measurable business growth rather than simply covering an existing operating expense.
What Is Not Covered?
Not every business expense qualifies for funding.
Examples of expenses that are excluded include general operating expenses, rent, travel, franchise fees, stock purchases, salaries, computer hardware such as PCs and mobile phones, general office equipment and website hosting.
Activities considered normal “business as usual” are also excluded.
This is why it is worth reading the complete eligibility guidelines before obtaining quotes or preparing an application.
Local Brisbane Suppliers Are Important
There is another requirement Brisbane businesses should pay particular attention to when planning their application.
In keeping with Brisbane City Council’s Local Buy Policy, the guidelines state that local contractors and suppliers within the Brisbane LGA are to be utilised.
Applicants proposing professional services as part of their grant application should therefore check the supplier requirements carefully and obtain the appropriate original quotes.
This requirement also helps ensure that grant funding has a wider impact on Brisbane’s local business economy.
What Will Assessors Be Looking For?
A strong grant application needs to do more than explain what you want to buy.
According to the grant guidelines, eligible applications are assessed on evidence showing how the proposed investment will help the business:
- grow revenue
- increase profit
- create jobs
- become more sustainable.
That means the connection between the funding and the business outcome needs to be clear.
Instead of simply saying:
“We need $5,000 for marketing.”
a stronger application would explain the current business challenge, what the proposed marketing investment will change and what measurable business outcome is expected as a result.
The same principle applies to equipment, training, ecommerce and other professional services.
Preparing Your Application
The application process itself is relatively straightforward, but preparation is important.
Applicants will need to provide their business details, answer the application questions and supply the required supporting documentation.
Before starting, it is worth gathering your financial information, proof of business location and ownership details, as well as obtaining appropriate quotes for the project you want funded.
Most importantly, think about the business outcome before focusing on the purchase.
Ask yourself:
What will this investment allow my business to do that it cannot do effectively today?
Then consider how you can demonstrate the likely impact through increased revenue, improved profitability, additional capacity, new customers, employment or greater business sustainability.
Applications Close 6 October 2026
Applications for the current Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant opened at 9:00am AEST on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 and close at 4:00pm AEST on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Only one application per business is permitted.
Successful applicants will need to complete their approved project and have the outcome ready for acquittal by 30 June 2027.
If your business appears to qualify, give yourself enough time to read the complete guidelines, obtain the required quotes and prepare a considered application rather than rushing to submit close to the deadline.
Find Out More and Apply
Full eligibility criteria, application requirements and information about eligible expenditure are available from the official Brisbane Business Hub.
Before applying, read the current entry guidelines carefully, as eligibility requirements and funding conditions apply.
Applications close at 4:00pm AEST on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Quick Grant Details
Grant: Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant
Funding available: Up to $5,000 per eligible business
Total funding pool: $250,000
Location: Brisbane Local Government Area
Business turnover: $75,000–$500,000 per annum
Applications opened: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 4:00pm AEST, 6 October 2026
Funding type: Non-matched funding
Project completion: By 30 June 2027