Tax benefits and support to stimulate the early stage venture capital sector
The Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) program registers new limited partnerships so fund managers and investors can access tax benefits and support to stimulate early stage venture capital investments.
It helps fund managers raise pooled capital (between $10 million and $200 million committed capital) to invest in innovative early stage businesses and connects investors with those businesses.
You can apply to register if you are:
- a new venture capital fund
- a limited partnership or an incorporated limited partnership
- established in Australia or a country that has a double tax agreement with Australia
You must have:
- a general partner who is a resident of either Australia or a country that has a double tax agreement with Australia
- between $10 million and $200 million in committed capital (a partnership that doesn't satisfy this requirement may be eligible for conditional registration)
To contribute more than 30% of the committed capital, an investor must be a bank, life insurance entity, widely held super fund, or widely held foreign venture capital fund of funds.
All other investors are not able to contribute more than 30% without the Committee's approval.
The partnership must have a qualifying partnership agreement that:
- ensures the partnership remains in existence for between 5 and 15 years
- requires partners to contribute capital when required
- prohibits adding new partners except as provided in the agreement
- prohibits increasing committed capital except as provided in the agreement
- confers on the general partner the right to require partners to contribute their committed capital
The partnership agreement must also include a plan that sets out the partnership's intended investment activities and shows focus on eligible venture capital investments in early stage venture capital businesses.
Partnerships must have access to the skills and resources needed to implement the approved investment plan.
Applications are assessed under the Venture Capital Act 2002 and relevant Income Tax Assessment Acts.
Get a personalised eligibility check — your match score, which criteria you meet, and what to watch out for.
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Last updated: 12 February 2026