The ACT government funds a program that provides support and interest-free "micro-credit'' - loans of up to $3000 - for eligible low-income earners who wish to establish or expand a small business.

The scheme was originally set up to support women, but this year's budget included funding to add more target groups, including migrants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals.

Mrs Jones said the government should consider further broadening the criteria so men who had left the workforce to care for their children could apply for loans.

"If they want to do photography or run a small business of some other description from home or they want to be a consultant in their professional field, then these grants should really be available to them as well,'' she said.

Mrs Jones said fathers attempting to re-enter the workforce could sometimes face even more discrimination than women trying to do the same thing.

A spokesman for the Community Services Directorate said it was possible changes could be made to the micro-credit scheme in the future.

"We will monitor the success of this new program and consider whether eligibility ought to be extended to other groups in the community,'' the spokesman said.