- Telephone
- Email
The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, delivered the Federal Budget 2025 on Tuesday 25 March. With a general election scheduled for 2025, this Budget was an important one, setting out the Albanese Labor Government’s financial plans for the future path of Australia.
A cut in the lowest rate of income tax from 16% to 15% by 2026 may be a vote winner, but was there any good news for Aussie small businesses among the announcements?
We’ve summarised the key points that may have an impact for you and your business.
The Treasurer focused on cost-of-living relief, strengthening Medicare and building key foundations for Australia’s future. Key measures include tax cuts for all taxpayers, energy bill rebates for households and small businesses, cheaper medicines and student debt relief.
Significant investments have been allocated to housing, education and infrastructure projects, aiming to boost productivity and resilience. The Government has also emphasised economic responsibility, highlighting improvements in debt and deficit figures since Labour came to office.
Initiatives also target fair competition, regional development and support for small businesses, with a focus on the green policies of the Future Made in Australia initiatives.
Here are the main announcements from the federal Budget that could have a positive impact for you and your small business:
Approximately one million small businesses will receive energy relief until the end of 2025, providing a $150 reduction in energy bills this year. This will help mitigate the impact of ongoing high energy costs for many small business owners.
The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) program is providing $56.7 million in grants of up to $25,000 to over 2,400 businesses, funding a range of energy upgrades, such as replacing inefficient appliances and improving heating systems.
The government is cracking down on supermarkets’ unfair trading practices, which will help level the playing field for small businesses. This includes empowering the ACCC, the competition watchdog, making the food and grocery code mandatory and increasing penalties.
The Treasurer announced more support for the production of Australian-made green metals, which could create opportunities for businesses in related supply chains.
The Government is backing clean technologies through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, which could provide funding and support for businesses in this sector.
The Budget included continued support for a raft of small business initiatives, aimed at making it easier to start, run and grow small Australian enterprises.
These included:
Increased funding of $3 billion in equity to complete the NBN rollout, which is essential for business productivity, particularly in regional and remote outback areas.
Introduction of a national licensing scheme for electricians, with the intention to expand this to other trades, reducing red tape and making it easier for trades to work between states.
Abolishing non-compete clauses for most Australian workers will create more worker mobility, and also making it easier for people to create small businesses.
Major infrastructure investment in building new housing, upgrading highways and servicing the rail network will provide opportunities for many small contractors.
Helping you plan for the proposed Budget changes
If you believe any of the Treasurer’s Budget announcements will affect your small business, we’re here to explain the changes, find a solution and grab the opportunities.
t: + 61 3177 4120
e: advisors@hksrussell.com
Our clients are located across Cairns, throughout Australia and specialising in the remote regions of the Cape, Northern Peninsula and the Torres Strait.
We are industry leaders in the NDIS sector where we uphold the highest level of integrity!
Contact us today for a 1-on-1 consultation.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
© HKS Russell 2026