The Australian Government’s 2025–26 Federal Budget (released on 25 March 2025) introduced several measures that may impact your business as they come into effect.
With ongoing economic uncertainty, cost-of-living pressures, and labour market challenges, it’s crucial to understand how these updates can benefit you and where adjustments may be needed.
Key Initiatives for Small Businesses
- Energy Bill Relief – If eligible, your business could receive up to $150 off energy bills until the end of 2025.
- Buy Australian Campaign – A $20 million investment aims to boost demand for locally made goods and services, which may benefit Australian suppliers.
- First Nations Businesswomen Mentoring – $3.4 million over three years to support First Nations women entrepreneurs through business coaching.
- Mental Health & Financial Support – Continued funding for the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program and the Small Business Debt Helpline to assist with financial and emotional well-being.
- Disaster Recovery Assistance – $693.2 million in co-funding with states to aid disaster-affected businesses.
- Energy Efficiency Grants – Your business may be eligible for grants of up to $25,000 to help manage energy costs and improve efficiency.
- Unfair Trading & Contract Protections – Strengthened regulations aim to further protect small businesses in contractual agreements.
Industry-Specific Measures
- Apprenticeships – If you operate in the construction industry, incentive payments for eligible housing construction apprentices will double from $5,000 to $10,000 as of 1 July 2025.
- Contractor Payment Times – If you work as a contractor in the construction sector, you can expect a reduced payment timeframe of 20 days for government-related projects.
- Draught Beer Excise – Temporary excise relief for breweries through increased support under the existing Excise Remission Scheme.
- Fresh Produce Suppliers – $2.9 million in funding aims to help suppliers enforce their rights under the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
- Franchising Code of Conduct – The ACCC has been allocated $7.1 million to enhance enforcement of the Franchising Code, improving transparency and fairness.
What wasn’t announced in the budget?
Notably, the current government has promised a further 12-month extension on the $20,000 threshold of the instant asset write-off measure (announced on 4 April 2025). This would allow small businesses with a revenue of up to $10 million an additional 12 months to use the measure.
