If you are searching for government grants to support your business, make sure you are accessing the right information from official sources. Unfortunately, some websites may claim to offer government grant access but charge a fee or request personal details.

It is important to know that government grant information is always free. Whether you are looking for funding from state, territory or federal government programs, you can find legitimate information online through official government websites.

What to watch out for

Some websites attempt to look like government sources using similar logos, imagery or misleading URLs. These sites may ask you to pay to access grant listings or promise insider access to funding opportunities.

Here are some key tips to protect yourself:
• Government grants are always listed free of charge
• Be cautious of websites charging fees to view or access grant programs
• Grants are awarded based on merit – you cannot pay for priority access or special consideration
• You may choose to pay a third party to assist with writing a grant application, but always check their credentials
• Only use official government websites – look for “.gov.au” in the web address

How to verify a government website

To confirm a website is legitimate, check that the URL ends with “.gov.au”. Be wary of websites using names that sound official or include words like “grants”, “official” or “government” in the domain name, especially if they do not use the “.gov.au” extension.

Where to find trusted grant information

The best place to start is the Grants Finder on business.gov.au. This tool lists grants, funding options and support programs available across all levels of government.

Stay informed and stay safe by using trusted sources. MEA encourages members to always check for official links and avoid paying for information that should be freely available.