Are you ready to transform your shopfront? If your shop needs a makeover, this is the grant for you!
Hume City Council seeks to support retail and hospitality businesses with a shopfront including those that are in industrial estates, to help create fresh facades and improve the presentation of their shopfronts to add to the overall streetscape visual appeal and to help drive foot trade.
The Shopfront Improvement Program offers grants of up to $5000 (plus GST) to improve the presentation of shopfronts, which will add to the overall streetscape, visual appeal and help to drive foot trade.
The street-facing shopfront must be in a shopping strip in Hume and not located inside a shopping centre.
Exception: Businesses located within a shopping centre managed by an Owners Corporation or Body Corporate may be eligible. For example, retail and hospitality businesses located in Gladstone Park Shopping Centre, Craigieburn Plaza, Sunbury Central and Sunbury Target Centre may be eligible to apply.
Businesses located within such a shopping centre are encouraged to contact Council prior to applying, to confirm their eligibility.
Some examples of what may be funded under this project include:
- improved accessibility – installing automatic doors and installing a wheelchair ramp
- awning and canopies
- planter boxes
- lighting
- new signage or replacing old signage (in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements)
- painting the facade of the shop
- redecorating exterior shopfront walls
- upgrades to windows and doors
- window decals
- digital display boards for the external walls
- serving windows
Applications can be made by owners of retail and hospitality businesses.
Please note you do NOT need to attend a workshop to apply for a Shopfront Improvement Grant.
Please read 2025/26 Hume City Shopfront Improvement Grant Program Information Booklet(PDF, 408KB) before starting your application.
Apply Here
The Small Business Grant Program is now closed
If you have an idea and seeking financial support, then we encourage you to apply for a Hume City Small Business Grant.
Small businesses make a large contribution to the local economy and add to the vibrancy and energy of Hume, which is why Hume City Council is pleased to be offering business support grants.
Before submitting an application, you MUST register and attend ONE Hume Small Business Grant Workshop. You can register via the link below.
*There are no exceptions to this rule*
All 3 workshops have now concluded. There are no further workshops scheduled to take place for this financial year at this stage.
About the Program
Recognising the importance of supporting small businesses Hume City Council is offering $150,000 to be allocated for this Grants Program. It should be noted that the Program is not an emergency support program and the maximum amount that a business can receive is $20,000 (plus GST).
Grant Program
Total Grant Pool $150,000
Maximum amount businesses can receive $20,000 (plus GST)
The funding criteria has been developed to provide flexibility to the many businesses across Hume. Council encourages Startups, Home Based Businesses and Sole Traders to apply, providing they have been operational for a minimum of 12 months.
Please read 2025/26 Hume City Small Business Grants Program Information Booklet(PDF, 382KB) before starting your application.
The Small Business Grant Program is now closed
Documentation Required
To give your idea or project the best possible chance of success, you will need to provide the following as part of your submission:
- A Summary of your business’ project/idea
(DOCX, 61KB)
-
A Project Plan(DOCX, 61KB) (use template provided)
-
Project quotes for every item on your project plan
Please note:
- quotes must be from suppliers who hold a registered ABN
- quotes from family members will not accepted
-
Any relevant licenses or permits i.e. Registration of Food Premises Permit(PDF, 435KB)
-
You will need to demonstrate how your business will accomplish one or more of the following goals and outcomes:
- Create new employment opportunities
- Support local employment growth
- Further expand your business and build on the successful business model and growth potential
6. Financial Reports
7. Your Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance(PDF, 234KB) (minimum $10 million)
Hume City Council will only accept applications with the mandatory attachments.
Application Process
In order to submit an application, you MUST attend a Small Business Grant Information Session.
Smarty Grants will allow you to save your application along the way and return to it when you have the completed documentation.
Once you submit your application you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application from SmartyGrants. Please keep this reference number handy in case you need to refer to it in future.
A council officer will be in touch if further information is required.
The Hume City Small Business Grant Program will finish when the full grant amount of $150,000 is expended.
Questions
If you experience any technical difficulties with your online application, or have any further questions contact:
Economic Development Team
E: business@hume.vic.gov.au
Congratulations to the following successful businesses of 2024/2025 Hume Small Business Grants
- Magali Denisse Hair Pty Ltd
- Lovely Cake Studio
- PSM Kurpa Pty Ltd
- Amida Business Services Pty Ltd
- The Studio Jewellers Gemcutters Metalsmiths
- New Medical Imaging
- Sew Together
- The Yoozh
- Ottimo Bakery
- CM TRADING
- EPS Taxation & Accounting
- Deep Indian Grocery Craigieburn
- Just Planet
External Grant Opportunities