The NT government announced on Monday a "refresh" to the Aboriginal Business Development Program (ABDP) to provide "better support" to start-ups and established Aboriginal businesses to develop and grow.

The changes are aimed at enabling more businesses including start-ups to access funding through the ABDP and also to facilitate "greater diversity and growth" within the Territory's business community.

One key change to the ABDP is to introduce Project Partners to provide advice and mentoring support to businesses during the application process. The aim of Program Partners is to enable businesses to optimise funding and support under the ABDP.

Other changes include; aligning the definition of an Aboriginal Enterprise to 51 per cent, moving to an online application through Grants NT with panel assessment through grant rounds, amending the frequency to access the ABDP to every three years, and businesses that access the program again after this period will now be required to provide a 20 per cent co-contribution.

Last year local Alice Springs carpenter Derryn Dean started his own business - Leveld Carpentry - with a $30,000 grant through the ABDP, enabling him to purchase tools, equipment, signage and a trailer.

"Leaving a steady job to go into business on my own was scary, but with the assistance of my NT government small business champion I was able to get an ABDP grant which was excellent and a great help to setting up the business," Mr Dean said.

"My business is doing well with carpentry, painting and maintenance jobs in Alice Springs and remote communities and I hope to be able to soon take on an apprentice."

Round 1 of the $1 million program is currently open to eligible businesses to apply for funding up to $30,000 which can be used to purchase assets, undertake training or for professional advisory services with this round closing 31 July.

NT Minister for Business and Jobs Joel Bowden said small to medium sized businesses are "the heart of the Northern Territory's economy" and it is important that the right support is available to help our businesses grow and reach new markets.

"The refreshed Aboriginal Business Development Program has been designed to be more accessible, easier to use and more transparent for the end user," he said.

"Supporting more businesses through the ABDP means more local jobs, new economic opportunities and community benefits for Aboriginal Territorians."

Territory businesses and consultants that have previous experience working with Aboriginal businesses or are interested in supporting Aboriginal businesses can submit an expression of interest via business.strategy@nt.gov.au.

More details and applications for funding in Round 1 are available online.