Growth opportunity: Round 7 of Queensland Business Growth Fund announced

The Queensland Government has announced Round 7 of the Business Growth Fund (BGF), a targeted grant program designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses across the state. This initiative is a strategic investment in Queensland’s economic future, supporting businesses that can scale rapidly, create jobs, and strengthen local supply chains. 

What is the Business Growth Fund? 

The BGF provides grant funding between $50,000 and $75,000 (excluding GST) to help eligible businesses purchase specialised equipment that unlocks growth opportunities.

It is expected that successful applicants will use the funding to: 

• Increase their productivity, turnover, profit and/or employment by 20 per cent 
• Increase their confidence for growth, with businesses moving from small to medium-sized 
• Improve their confidence to automate, scale up, increase market share, diversify and/or exploit exporting opportunities. 

Successful applicants will receive funding in three milestone payments and must contribute at least 50 per cent of total project costs. 

Eligibility for the BGF 

To qualify, businesses must meet the following criteria, both at the timing of their application, and throughout the duration of their funded project: 

• Be an established and financially sound small Queensland business, with the potential for high growth within the next two years 
• Have a headcount of less than 20 employees (this includes all full-time, part-time and casual employees, and anyone who receives a salary or wage from your business, and does not include business owners, non-executive directors or contractors) 
• Be operating, and have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) 
• Be registered for GST (as per your Australian Business Register (ABR) record) 
• Have a registered Queensland headquarters location (as per your ABR record) 
• Have a turnover in the last financial year (2024-25) between $500,000 and $10 million – this refers to aggregated turnover as defined in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cwlth) 
• Have a minimum trading history of three years 
• Have experienced two years of high-growth and have clearly defined growth and employment opportunities in Queensland - high growth is defined as an average annual 20 per cent increase in turnover and/or employment in the last two years 
• Not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are currently bankrupt or undischarged from bankruptcy 
• Not have been approved for funding under earlier BGF rounds. 

You can check your eligibility here. 

How to apply 

The program uses a two-stage application process: 

1. Registration of interest

Applicants must register their interest by 30 January 2026. Applications must detail how the proposed specialised equipment investment will directly enable business growth, how the equipment introduces innovation or technological advancement within your operations, and how the project will create new employment opportunities and support workforce development. 

2. Full application

Applicants who pass the eligibility check and initial assessment will be invited to complete a full application, which will be competitively assessed. 

How BDO can help 

For businesses ready to scale, the BGF offers a unique opportunity to invest in specialised equipment, digital systems, and logistics solutions that might otherwise be out of reach. By leveraging this grant, organisations can position themselves for long-term success in competitive domestic and international markets. 

This funding opportunity is a catalyst for innovation and resilience. Investing in specialised equipment can transform operations, improve margins, and open doors to new markets. Our R&D and government incentives team can help you assess your eligibility and prepare a compelling application to maximise your chances of success. 

Contact our experts to explore how the BGF can accelerate your business journey, or to find out more about other grants that your business may be eligible for.