finance

Frankston Small Business Data Shows Clear Patterns in Local Investment

City records detail 639 new GST registrations alongside a $200,000 grants round that supports job creation in hospitality, health and manufacturing.

By Frankston Business Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Frankston Small Business Data Shows Clear Patterns in Local Investment — Photo by Nicola since 1972 / flickr (by)

Frankston City recorded 639 new businesses registering for GST in the 12 months before late 2025. That figure lines up with an existing base of 44,000 small and medium enterprises that make up 98 percent of all local firms and underpin an economy valued at $9.6 billion.

The numbers matter now because they arrive while council programs direct direct cash and trading space toward start-ups. The pattern shows steady registration growth paired with targeted spending that aims to convert new licences into paid positions.

Grants and Job Targets

The Frankston City Small Business Grants Program handed out a record $200,000 across 22 firms in the 2025-2026 cycle. Officials expect those awards to produce more than 40 new jobs in hospitality, health and manufacturing. The money flows through an application process run by the city council and is tracked against employment outcomes.

At the same time the annual Think Local Small Business Expo returns to the Frankston Arts Centre. Up to 50 local suppliers attend to meet buyers and display stock, an event the council runs each year to shorten supply chains inside the city limits.

Trading Sites and Next Steps

A separate mobile food van program, started in 2023, assigns fixed trading spots to new operators. The next round of licences opens on 1 June 2026. Firms that secure a spot gain a low-overhead location while the council monitors overall small-business turnover.

Businesses seeking support can review the current grants guidelines and the food-van licence schedule on the city website. Both programs publish deadlines and eligibility rules tied to the same economic indicators already on record.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.

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