Grants Assistance and Programs Register for WA industry

Western Australian Government assistance

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides funding for agribusinesses. For support of the horticultural industry, visit the Building Horticulture Business Capacity Program page and the Southern Forests Infrastructure Support Scheme page. 

The Gnangara Horticulture Water Use Efficiency Grants and Voucher Program supports horticulture businesses in the Gnangara groundwater allocation plan area to implement water use efficiency measures.

Western Australia Food Innovation Precinct:

The Western Australia Food Innovation Precinct, based in the Shire of Murray, is a state-of-the-art facility fostering industry innovation to drive business growth, develop new products and exports, and transform Western Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.

Expressions of interest submissions are now open for businesses to develop a commercial-scale food or beverage processing operation at the Murray Future Food Facility.

The Enterprise Support Program provides co-funding (up to $600,000) to agribusinesses seeking to pursue business development and innovation opportunities through the leading-edge research capability, incubation space and technologies available at the Precinct.

Australian Government assistance

Accelerated Depreciation for Primary Producers provides a tax deduction for assets used in primary production.

The Farm Management Deposits Scheme provides primary production businesses with tax deductions on farm management deposits to help them deal with inconsistent income from natural disasters, climate and market changes.

The Support Plantation Establishment 2024-25 program provides funding to support new softwood and hardwood plantation forests in Australia.

Australian Government assistance

Major Project Status is formal recognition of the national strategic significance of a project, through its contribution to economic growth, employment, or contribution to regional Australia. Major Project Status enables strategically significant projects facing complex regulatory challenges to get extra support and coordinated approvals.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries distributes funding to support a vibrant and sustainable arts, culture and creative industry sector in Western Australia.

They also distribute funding to celebrate Aboriginal culture, and to support Aboriginal businesses in the arts and culture sector.

For all other financial support provided by the Department, visit their Funding page.

Screenwest supports the development and production of film, television, and digital game projects in Western Australia. For advice on filming in Western Australia, or to see a directory of local crew and service providers, visit the filming in WA page. For funding opportunities, visit the funding & incentives page

Australian Government assistance

Screen Australia provides funding to support the development, production and marketing of Australian screen content, as well as for the development of Australian talent and screen production businesses.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Charge Up Workplace Grants provide funding to small and medium enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, and local government authorities to install EV charging equipment at the workplace.

The Clean Energy Future Fund provides funding (between $100,000 and $4 million) to support the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia.

Invest and Trade Western Australia’s Investment Attraction Fund New Energies Industries Funding Stream has been created to accelerate innovation, scale-up commercial potential and expand local manufacturing capacity in the following new energies industries: Battery and critical minerals, renewable hydrogen, solar, wind and carbon capture. 

Australian Government assistance

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency provides funding to support emission reductions and the local renewables industry.

The Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme encourages people and businesses to run projects that reduce emissions or store carbon.

The Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate is a financial incentive to encourage the purchase of zero emission vehicles.

The Australia–Austria Industrial Decarbonisation Demonstration Partnerships Program provides funding for joint Australian and Austrian decarbonisation projects. It supports the development of innovative technologies, processes, or solutions to decarbonise hard-to-abate energy-intensive industries.

The Powering the Regions Fund - Safeguard Transformation Stream will provide up to $50 million to trade exposed facilities to reduce their emissions.

The Clean Energy Finance Corp is Australia’s 'green bank', which invests in the clean energy sector and the transition to net zero emissions. They manage the Clean Energy Innovation Fund, the Powering Australia Technology Fund, and the Advancing Hydrogen Fund.

Australian Government assistance

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program will fund small to medium enterprises to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. There are four streams within the program: sovereign industrial priorities; exports; security; and skilling.

The Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program supports Australian businesses to win work for the Joint Strike Fighter Program, an international development and acquisition program for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and associated weapons, spares, support equipment, and infrastructure.

For further information on the two funding streams, visit the Production and Modernisation Grants page and the Sustainment Grants page.

Australian Government assistance

The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides funding for employers who hire job seekers registered with a Disability Employment Service provider.

The Employment Assistance Fund provides workers with a disability with funding for workplace modifications, equipment or services they need to perform their job.

Under the Supported Wage System, special workplace arrangements are made so that employers can pay wages to a person with a disability based on how productive they are in their job.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Small Business Interest Rate Subsidy WA provides interest rate subsidies (up to $6,000) on loans for Western Australian small businesses impacted by an eligible disaster.

The Disaster Recovery Construction Training Grant WA provides funding (up to $3,000) to support WA employers, apprentices and trainees who are involved in re-building areas affected by a natural disaster.

The Environment, Heritage and Cultural Assets Flexible Grants Program WA provides funding for projects that clean-up, restore, recover from or monitor the long-term impacts to environment, heritage and cultural assets that were impacted by flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.

The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements provide funding to primary producers to help them recover from an eligible declared disaster.

The Small and Medium Business Recovery Grants provides financial support to eligible small and medium businesses in WA who were directly impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and Tropical Cyclone Ilsa.

Australian Government assistance

The Department of Home Affairs provides support to businesses across Australia that have been affected by natural disasters.

Australian Government assistance

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation provides debt finance, equity finance and guarantees for businesses with compelling proposals in priority areas.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is a $7 billion lending facility which provides loans to infrastructure projects in northern Australia. Investments can be used for the development of new infrastructure or the material enhancement of existing infrastructure.

The Regional Investment Corporation is an Australian Government provider of low-interest loans for farm businesses. Loans can be used to fund drought assistance and starting or improving farms.

Western Australian Government assistance

The WA Future Health Research and Innovation Fund provides a secure source of funding to drive health and medical research, innovation and commercialisation.

The Market Access Grant Scheme WA provides funding (up to $5,000) for health and medical life sciences companies to cover the costs of attending national and international conferences.

For information on other industry support programs and upcoming events, visit the events and programs page.

Australian Government assistance

The Biomedical Translation Fund provides companies with venture capital through licensed private sector fund managers. It helps early-stage biomedical companies develop their biomedical discoveries into tangible products, services and outcomes.

The Medical Research Future Fund supports Australian health and medical research. 

To view all grants on offer, visit the GrantConnect website.

Australian Government assistance

Indigenous Business Australia was created to assist and enhance the economic development opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. They provide advice, workshops and finance to start or grow your business.

The First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program provides free mentoring support to eligible First Nations tourism businesses.

The Indigenous Advancement Strategy provides funding for organisations to undertake projects or activities which promote equal opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

The Indigenous Wages Rebate WA provides businesses with a payroll tax rebate when they hire new Indigenous employees

Western Australian Government assistance

The Infrastructure Development Fund provides financial support to overcome water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure-based obstacles which prevent apartment development in key urban precincts; key worker accommodation; and community housing in regional areas.

Western Australian Government assistance

The New Industries Fund accelerates new and emerging businesses in Western Australia, through innovation, to diversify the economy and create new jobs and industries across the State. Support includes grants, the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year awards program and sponsorships.

The Dealroom is a searchable online database of WA startups, scale ups, investors, deals, programs, spaces, and universities.

For access to expertise and facilities that connects innovators and entrepreneurs within the State, visit the Innovation Hubs page. These hubs encourage collaboration between government, universities, business, industry and the community. 

There are 5 hubs available: CyberWest Hub (cyber security); WA Data Science Innovation Hub; WA Creative Tech Village Hub; WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub; and the GreenTech Hub.

Australian Government assistance

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, provides a range of funding and programs that support start-ups, small or medium sized enterprises and researchers to innovate and for research and development.

The Critical Technologies Challenge Program will provide joint collaborations with funding to develop solutions or components that contribute to a solution for market-led challenges of national significance using quantum technologies.

Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants provide industry-led collaborations with short term (up to 3 years) matched funding to develop important new technologies, products and services. Collaborations from all industry sectors, research disciplines and community sectors can apply.

Western Australian Government assistance

Invest and Trade WA (ITWA) is the ‘front door’ for investors and businesses who want to invest in or buy products and services from Western Australia. ITWA also assists WA exporters looking to grow their business internationally. ITWA supports new investment in WA through the Investment Attraction Fund.

The Access Asia Business Grants provide funding for WA businesses to enter or expand their trade with Asian markets.

The Event Support program provides funding of up to $10,000 for events that support the promotion of trade and investment prospects for WA.

The Perth Landing Pad supports international startups, scale ups, and small-to-medium enterprises (SME) to create WA-based businesses. Startups are invited to relocate to WA for up to 90 days. The Landing Pad’s connections to local industry, Australia-wide communities, a vibrant event schedule and coworking hubs make them the perfect 'landing pad' for those looking to grow.

WA Investments:

The WA Investments site operates an online directory of Western Australian projects seeking investment, providing easy access to investment opportunities. Those seeking investors for a project may also submit their project to the directory.

Australian Government assistance

Austrade provides grants, programs and services to help Australian exporters, international investors and buyers, Australia’s education sector, tourism sector and First Nations businesses.

Austrade’s Landing Pads program helps Australian entrepreneurs set up and work intensively in China, India, Southeast Asia, the UK or the US. The Landing Pads program help deliver market insights, expansion strategies, introductions to networks, and contacts with venture capital.

Austrade’s Australia-India Business Exchange helps Australian businesses or investors enter the Indian market within the agrifood, defence, education, energy and resources, health, infrastructure and technology sectors.

The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program provides critical minerals business up to $20 million in funding to grow end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners.

Import and export support:

Australian Trusted Trader status reduces red tape at the border for Australian importing and exporting businesses. Accredited businesses can streamline their processes and expediate the flow of their cargo in and out of Australia, facilitating faster access to markets.

Under the Duty Drawback Scheme, exporters receive a refund of customs duty paid on unused imported goods, or goods that will be treated, processed or incorporated into other goods for export. The Tradex Scheme provides an upfront exemption from customs duty and GST for eligible goods imported to Australia that are then exported within one year or another approved period.

The Certain Inputs to Manufacture program reduces importing costs for Australian manufacturers of eligible goods. An import concession is available if you import an eligible good and can show that your imported good has a performance advantage in producing the specific end product over a local input produced in Australia.

Export Finance Australia supports the Australian export of goods and services by providing loans, bonds and guarantees.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Department of Training and Workforce Development provides support for businesses seeking to upskill or hire employees. The Department achieves this through financial incentives, informational resources, and discounted vocational training under the Skills Ready program.

For more information, visit the developing Western Australia’s workforce page.

To see a full list of funding opportunities, visit the employer financial incentives and support page and the incentives to employ and train page.

The Construction Visa Subsidy program supports WA construction businesses with payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers and offset expenses such as migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation costs.

Australian Government assistance

There are wage subsidies (up to $10,000) for employers to hire and retain eligible participants in ongoing and sustainable positions. Apprenticeship wage subsidies support Australian businesses to hire, train and keep apprentices.

The Employer Support Payment Scheme provides businesses who employ a Reservist or a self-employed Reservist with payments when the Reservist is absent from their civilian workplace on eligible periods of Defence service.

The Launch into Work program supports businesses who want to use a pre-employment project to recruit new staff.

The Pacific Australian Labour Mobility Scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.

Self-Employment Assistance is available for people interested in starting their own business or who need help to refocus an existing small business.

The Workplace Legal Advice Program provides employers with free, independent legal advice to help them deal with workplace issues.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Exploration Incentive Scheme aims to encourage exploration in Western Australia for the long-term sustainability of the State’s resources sector.

The Co-funded Exploration Drilling program funds up to 50% of direct drilling costs to promote geoscience exploration and to contribute to the economic development of regional WA.

The METS Innovation Program seeks to broaden support for research projects led by METS companies servicing WA’s mining industry. The program supports the development of new technologies in the following strategic areas: low-emissions technologies, precision and low-impact mining, critical minerals, and the alternative use of tailings and waste.

Western Australian Government assistance

There are Regional Development Commissions for the Gascoyne, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Mid West, Peel, Pilbara, Southwest, and Wheatbelt regions. The commissions work to promote the economic and social development of the regions, through administering grants and by providing business support to secure local opportunities.

The Regional Economic Development Grants program invests in community-driven projects to stimulate economic growth and development in regional Western Australia.

The Rural Business Development Corporation administers assistance schemes for the rural sector, including the agriculture and food industry. These include a Hardship Support Grant, Farm Debt Mediation, and a Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program.

The Regional Events Program supports medium to large regional events across WA that promote tourism and require funding of $40,000 or more.

The Collie Futures Fund provides funding for projects that support efforts to drive long-term economic growth and stimulate jobs creation in the Collie region.

Western Australian Government assistance

The Small Business Development Corporation provides practical support to start and run a small business in Western Australia. This includes advice on common obstacles like marketing, finance, legal responsibilities, and dispute resolution. The corporation will administer a one-off $400 Small Business Electricity Credit to reduce electricity bills for residential and small business customers.

The WA Industry Link helps small and medium sized businesses get a bigger share of WA Government procurement, which is worth around $30 billion per year.

The Local Capability Fund assists small and medium enterprises to increase their capability and competitiveness as suppliers of products, services and works to the WA Government, major projects and other important markets.

There are funding streams for Aboriginal business, digital transformation, standards compliance and for the Gascoyne, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Mid West, Peel, Pilbara, Southwest, and Wheatbelt regions.

Australian Government assistance

AusIndustry provides a connection between small and medium size business and government. It helps businesses navigate local, state and commonwealth government support.

Their Industry Growth Program supports small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation or growth projects that align with the National Reconstruction Fund’s priority areas and which build manufacturing capability. Recipients receive an advisory service and funding support (between $50,000 to $250,000 or $100,000 to $5 million).

business.gov.au is a whole-of-government website for the Australian business community. It provides a list of industry support grants and advice on how to start and grow a business.

Australian Government assistance

The Australian Space Agency and CSIRO provide support to the Australian space sector.

The Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grants provide Australian businesses with grant funding to build capacity to deliver products and services into domestic and/or international space industry supply chains that could support Moon to Mars activities.

The Space Concession helps companies wanting to develop high technology for the space sector. It encourages the transfer of technology and expertise by providing duty-free tariff on eligible imported goods.

Australian Government assistance

The Australian Taxation Office provides tax relief for businesses.

The Small Business Income Tax Offset provides unincorporated small businesses with a tax offset of up to $1000 per year.

The Research and Development Tax Incentive offers a tax offset for companies conducting eligible R&D activities.

The Small Business Technology Investment Boost allows small businesses to claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise their business.

For further information, visit the ATO’s tax deductions page and concessions page.