Backing International Small Restaurants Grant program

If you are a small independent hospitality business in Sydney or Melbourne, and want some funding, then the Backing International Small Restaurants Grant program may be what you are looking for.  This program will provide 15 grants of $23,000 to support the venue for long term business sustainability.

Are you Eligible?

To be eligible for the Backing International Small Restaurants program you:

• Any restaurant, pub, bar, café with food service in Greater Sydney or Greater Melbourne
• Be currently open for business, in operation for more than one year and have a brick and mortar location/storefront
• Be a small/independently-owned restaurant, café, bar or pub with food offering and not part
• of a franchise with more than 5 locations
• Have an annual revenue in 2024 of less than $2m. 

Here are the 2024 recipients from Sydney.  Rising Sun Workshop – Newtown; Rebels N Misfits – Darlinghurst; Little Lagos Bistro & Bar – Newtown; Don Adan Coffee – Mosman;  I Should be Souvlaki – Newtown.

Assessment Criteria

Each hospitality business will be evaluated on:

• Clear use of grant funds and its impact on the restaurant.
• Grant funds must be able to be deployed quickly in a 5-month timeframe
• Contribution to historic, cultural, or community identity  
• Explanation of hardships that the restaurant has endured
• Owned and/or operated by or serving members of the community who have been disproportionately impacted by economic challenges or disasters 

What can the moneys be used for?

The grant funds must be used towards critical business needs that support the restaurant for long term business sustainability.

Potential uses could include critical improvements needed to sustain operations such as enhancing digital capabilities, building outdoor dining spaces, purchasing new equipment and making other physical improvements. Utility costs are a potential use but must not exceed 15% of the grant.

Applicants are required to provide an outline of their planned use of funds in their application.

Note: Rent, salaries, loan repayments, food supplies, and alcohol are not eligible grant fund uses.

Learn more

Click here to learn more about the Backing International Small Restaurants program

Note applications close 30 June 2025

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

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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