Pooled Development Funds (PDF)

Pooled Development Funds (PDFs) raise capital and make equity investments in Australian small and medium-sized enterprises. Registration is no longer available. Funds registered under the PDF programme will continue to operate and invest in small Australian companies.
Closed
This grant is currently closed to applications

What do you get?

Tax benefits on the income derived from equity investments.

Who is this for?

Fund managers seeking to invest in a portfolio of venture capital funds, including Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships and Venture Capital Limited Partnerships.

About the program

The aim of the Pooled Development Funds programme is to increase the supply of capital to Australian small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

PDFs are venture capital funds registered under the Pooled Development Funds Act 1992

PDFs and their shareholders receive tax benefits on the income derived from their equity investments. This is to help compensate for the higher risk of investing in SMEs.

PDFs will be taxed at 15% on the income and gains derived from equity investments in Australian SMEs. Shareholders are exempt from tax on the income and gains derived from holding and disposing of PDF shares.

The extent of the above tax benefits depends upon a number of factors. PDFs and their shareholders should seek professional tax advice.

Eligible Investments

What are the eligibility criteria?

Fund managers of a PDF can make eligible investments by acquiring newly-issued shares in SMEs with total assets of not more than $50 million.

The investee company must have issued shares to raise capital to:

  • establish a new business activity
  • substantially expand production capacity or services
  • expand or develop markets

While a PDF holds an investment, it can enter into the following transactions with the investee company:

  • acquiring non-transferable options to buy shares
  • lending money
  • charging management fees

A PDF can't invest in companies whose primary activities are either:

  • retail operations
  • property development

Need help?

Let us answer your question over the phone, email or live chat.

  • Phone:
  • Open Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia
  • Website:
Was this page helpful?