$20,000 Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program
Small independent venues in Sydney and Melbourne can now apply for the Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program, funded by American Express and the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation.
Fifteen grants of $20,000 AUD are available to help restaurants, cafés, bars, and pubs grow and support their local communities.
The Quick Details
💰 Grant Amount: $20,000 AUD (15 grants total across Sydney & Melbourne)
📍 Coverage: Greater Sydney & Greater Melbourne
⏰ Deadline: 3:59 PM AEDT, Tuesday 17 November 2026
🗓️ Spend Window: February – 31 July 2027
📢 Winners Notified: January 2027
Are You Eligible?
To apply, your venue must:
- Be a restaurant, café, bar, or pub with a food offering in Greater Sydney or Greater Melbourne.
- Have a physical, brick-and-mortar venue.
- Have been operating before 1 September 2025.
- Be a registered for-profit business with 2025 revenue under $2M.
- Not be part of a franchise with 5+ locations.
(Note: Accepting American Express is not required.)
What Can (and Can’t) You Spend It On?
Funding must cover critical business needs and medium-to-long-term improvements.
- Approved: New kitchen/dining equipment, digital upgrades (POS, ordering systems), outdoor dining, physical renovations, and utilities (up to 15% max).
- Excluded: Rent, salaries/wages, loan repayments, food stock, alcohol, or liquor licences.
Learn more and apply
Applications for Sydney and Melbourne close at 3:59 pm AEDT on 17 November 2026.
Click here to learn more about the Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program and apply.
📌Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are there 15 grants per city?
A, No, the 15 grants ($20,000 AUD each) are shared across both Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne combined.
Q: Can I apply for multiple locations?
A: Yes. An owner can submit applications for up to five eligible restaurants, but an individual owner can only be awarded one grant. Past recipients are ineligible.
Q: How quickly must the grant be spent?
A: Funds must be deployed during the implementation period from February to August 2027, with all funds spent by 31 July 2027.
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Q: Do I need council or landlord approvals first?
A: If your project involves structural modifications, outdoor dining, or electrical work, landlord and council permits should be secured before the February 2027 rollout.
Q: Is the $20,000 inclusive of GST?
A: Yes, where GST applies, the $20,000 grant is inclusive of GST. Recipients are responsible for managing their own tax obligations.
Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably.
Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.
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Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052
