GRANTS - BUSINESS

  • This program provides funding to WA start-ups and small businesses to help them commercialise innovative ideas or projects, and to expand to create jobs.

    Matched funding of up to $40,000.

    Western Australian start-ups and small businesses.

    Funding is available for startups and small businesses to access professional skills, services or knowledge to help them advance an innovative idea, project or commercial activity.

    The funding may be used to:

    • help develop new or enhanced commercially-ready products or services

    • establish a minimum viable product (MVP), prototype(s), processes or systems that might attract additional investment and/or customers

    • address a particular technical problem that cannot be solved by the applicant, or for which the solution is not readily available.

    Recipients will need to provide a net cash co-contribution at a rate of at least 20:80 applicant-to-state government funding.

    To be eligible, businesses must:

    • be registered in Western Australia (WA) with either an Australian business number (ABN) or Australian company number (ACN)

    • be developing an innovative project in WA, with a total budget less than $100,000

    • remain based in WA for the next 3 years

    • be a solvent start-up or small business, employing between 1 and 20 people

    • be able to contribute at least 20% of the requested project funding costs.

    More information here.

  • The Small Business Income Tax Offset provides unincorporated small businesses with a tax offset.

    Tax offsets of up to $1000 per year.

    Eligible for Unincorporated small businesses.

    The Small Business Income Tax Offset provides small businesses with a tax offset of up to $1000 per year. The offset is worked out on the proportion of tax payable on your business income.

    The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will work out the amount of your offset based on your business income.

    To be eligible, you must:

    • be carrying on a small business as a sole trader, or have a share of net small business income from a partnership or trust

    • have an aggregated turnover of less than $5 million for the 2016–17 income year onwards

    More information here.

  • CSIRO Kick-Start provides matched funding for start-ups and small to medium enterprises to help access CSIRO's research expertise and capabilities to help grow your business.

    Matched funding between $10,000 and $50,000.

    Available for start-ups and small to medium enterprises.

    The CSIRO Kick-Start program provides matched funding to Australian start-ups and very small SME’s to utilise CSIRO expertise to undertake research activities that will enable your business to:

    • research a new idea with commercial potential

    • develop a novel or improved product or process

    • test a novel product or material

    Funding may be used to cover the costs of undertaking the project, and may include:

    • salary and on-costs of researcher(s)

    • travel and accommodation (if required)

    • administrative/overhead costs

    • external facilities access/services/contractor costs

    Funding may not be used for capital works and expenditure or infrastructure costs.

    Eligible businesses are able to apply for a second Kick-Start project, after completion of their first, providing the total funding received does not exceed $50,000.

    To be eligible, you must:

    • have an Australian company number (ACN)

    • be registered for goods and services tax (GST)

    • have your primary place of business within Australia

    • demonstrate the ability to dollar-match the funding

    • have an annual turnover of less than $10 million, in the current and each of the 2 previous financial years, or

    • have been a registered company for less than 3 years

    Eligibility criteria also apply to the proposed project.

    More information here.

  • This program provides support to people interested in starting their own business or who need help to refocus an existing small business.

    Self-Employment Assistance can help you with your business idea or existing business through its flexible services including:

    • exploring self-employment workshops

    • business plan development

    • free accredited small business training

    • business advice sessions

    • business health checks

    • small business coaching.

    To be eligible, you must:

    • be at least 15 years of age (a person must be 18 years of age to access Small Business Coaching)

    • not already be studying or employed for more than 25 hours per week

    • not be prohibited by law from working in Australia

    • not be an overseas visitor on a working holiday visa or an overseas student studying in Australia

    • not be an undischarged bankrupt.

    For more information and to apply click here.

  • Employment Assistance Fund

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

    The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) helps people with disabilities and mental health conditions to buy work related modifications and services.

    The EAF is available to people with disability who are about to start a job or who are currently working, as well as people who need help to find and prepare for a job. It is also available to people with disability who are self-employed, and jobseekers who need Auslan assistance, or special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job.

    The EAF provides funding for work related modifications and services including:

    • the cost of modifications to the physical work environment

    • modifications to work vehicles

    • special equipment for the workplace

    • information and communication devices

    • Auslan interpreting

    • specialist services for employees with specific learning disorders and mental health conditions

    • disability awareness training

    • deafness awareness training

    • mental health first aid training.

    To be eligible for the EAF, the person with disability must:

    • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

    • be currently in a job that is expected to continue for 13 weeks or more

    • be working at least eight hours per week, or 20 hours per week if self-employed

    • have an ongoing disability that has lasted, or will last at least two years. Your disability must limit, restrict or impair your ability to work.

    An EAF application can be submitted by:

    • an employer of a person with disability

    • an employee with disability

    • a self-employed worker with disability

    • a job seeker who requires Auslan Level 2 assistance or who requires work related assistive technology or special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job

    • a Disability Employment Services provider, jobactive provider, or a Community Development Programme provider on behalf of their participant or participant's employer.

    A person may also apply for EAF assistance on behalf of someone with disability as their nominee.

    More information and to apply click here.

  • Subsidies up to a maximum of $10,000.

    Wage subsidies ranging up to $10,000 may be available to businesses that hire eligible individuals into ongoing jobs.

    Businesses looking to fill an ongoing position, should contact their nearest Workforce Australia, ParentsNext or Transition to Work provider for help to find the right person for the job.

    Providers may offer a wage subsidy to help with some of the initial costs of hiring a new employee. The wage subsidy is to help with some of the initial costs of hiring the new employee, to help ensure the success of their employment.

    To be eligible to access a wage subsidy, an organisation must:

    For more information and to apply click here.

  • X-TEND WA PROGRAM

    Up to $100,000

    X-TEND WA Program provides organisations with funding to help them deliver innovator and/or investor educational programs to WA start-ups, emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.

    Funding will be awarded to deliver activities in one or 2 of the following streams:

    • entrepreneurial education

    • investor education

    • broader ecosystem support.

    Activities may take the form of educational forums, workshops, mentoring and incubator and accelerator programs.

    To be eligible, you must:

    • have an Australian business number (ABN) and/or an Australian company number (ACN)

    • be in Western Australia or agree to register a business address in WA

    • be a valid legal entity that can enter into a funding agreement with the WA government

    • be financially solvent.

    For more information and to apply click here.

  • The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (Incentives System) aims to help fill skill shortages in areas of industry that need it most. If you employ an Australian apprentice, you may be a eligible for:

    Businesses hiring apprentices may be eligible to receive incentives. Incentives are subject to eligibility criteria, waiting periods and time limits.

    Contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider for more information.

    To find out more information and to apply click here.

  • Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive provides businesses with financial assistance to help them with the costs of employing a new entrant trainee or apprentice.

    The incentive amount is based on the nominal term of the apprenticeship or traineeship. Employers may be able to receive an additional loading payment if the apprenticeship / traineeship is undertaken in a priority occupation.

    Employers can claim incentive payments at the following milestones:

    • Apprenticeships

    • at the commencement of the apprenticeship

    • at the mid-point of the nominal duration of the apprenticeship

    • on completion of the apprenticeship

    Traineeships

    • at the commencement of the traineeship

    • on completion of the traineeship

    To be eligible, you must:

    • have an Australian business number (ABN)

    • be running a business which is currently below the payroll tax threshold (currently at $950,000 per annum)

    • employ a new entrant trainee or an apprentice

    Employers must have lodged the training contract for registration on or after 1 July 2019.

    For more information or to apply click here.

  • This is for businesses with entry level job opportunities willing to trial a new way recruiting.

    The Launch into Work program supports the delivery of pre-employment projects. These projects prepare eligible individuals for specific entry-level roles within a business. This means individuals don't require a degree or higher-level vocational qualification to start work.

    The project is co-designed with the department and the hiring employer. A well-designed project gives individuals the skills, experience and confidence they need to start work. Projects include:

    • training

    • practical activities in the workplace

    • mentoring.

    One of the program's aims is to create long-term secure employment for women, but projects are not only for women. Anyone aged 18 years or over can participate if they are in:

    • Workforce Australia Services

    • Transition to Work

    • ParentsNext.

    All Launch into Work projects must meet these requirements:

    • training tailored to the positions

    • practical activities in the workplace

    • participant mentoring

    • employment for suitable individuals who successfully complete a pre-employment project.

    For more information and to apply click here.

  • This program provides free and confidential mental health support to small business owners.

    Free and confidential mental health coaching.

    For: Small business owners.

    This mental health coaching program has been developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners support during challenging times.

    Over 6 sessions, a NewAccess coach will work side by side with business owners to overcome difficult issues and provide practical skills to help them manage stress.

    Check if you can apply.

    This program is for anyone aged 18 years or over who owns a small business, from any industry, including sole traders.

    A person is not eligible for the program if they are:

    • currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist

    • dealing with severe/complex mental health issues.

    More information here.

  • Applications may be made at any time.

    The Small Business Export Loan provides small to medium export businesses with loans to cover up to 80% of the costs to secure an export contract or purchase order with an overseas buyer.

    Loans of $20,000 to $350,000.

    For: Small to medium export businesses.

    Small Business Export Loans help businesses looking to grow through exporting.

    The loans are designed to meet the specific needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help them take advantage of export opportunities when financial institutions cannot help.

    Funding is available for:

    • contracts and purchase orders

    • export market development

    • general working capital

    • equipment finance

    • tourism services

    • online business growth.

    Loans of between $20,000 and $350,000 are available, to cover up to 80% of your export contract(s) or purchase order(s).

    If your business has export contract(s) or purchase order(s) with buyer(s) overseas, and your bank is unable to help, the loan could provide you with the necessary funds to help you secure the contract(s) and satisfy your cashflow needs.

    To be eligible for a loan, your business must have:

    • an Australian company number (ACN)

    • an annual revenue of $250,000–$10 million per year

    • been established for at least 2 years

    • an export related funding need

    • 20% of revenue from export sales.

    More information here.

  • This program provides free mentoring support to eligible First Nations tourism businesses.

    Free mentoring and expert advice.

    For: First Nations tourism businesses.

    The FNTMP provides First Nations tourism businesses with access to free, tailored and one-one-one mentoring services from experienced tourism industry professionals.

    There are a range of supports, including:

    • a business diagnostic to help identify your needs

    • one-on-one mentoring tailored to your specific needs and goals

    • a suite of learning supports and resources developed for and tailored to First Nations tourism sector

    • specialist supports and advice from Intrepid Travel advisors

    • exit supports when you complete the program.

    The program is flexible and can fit around your commitments. You can choose how often and how long you meet with mentors, and whether you meet face-to-face or virtual.

    To be eligible, your business must be:

    • at least 50% First Nations-owned

    • operating in the tourism sector or associated supply chain (e.g. cafes and restaurants, accommodation providers etc)

    • at least 'semi-mature' i.e. active and currently in operation with goods and services which are, or can be made available to domestic or international visitors.

    More information here.

  • Additional 20% tax deduction.

    This initiative provides small businesses with a bonus tax deduction to help them train new staff and upskill existing staff.

    For: Small businesses.

    Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will be allowed an additional 20% tax deduction for external training courses delivered to employees by registered training providers.

    The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred from 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 until 30 June 2024.

    The expenditure must be:

    • for the provision of training to employees of your business, either in-person in Australia, or online

    • charged, directly or indirectly, by a registered external training provider that is not you or an associate of yours

    • already deductible for your business under taxation law

    • incurred within a specified period (between 7:30 pm AEDT or by legal time in the ACT on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2024).

    To access the small business skills and training boost, your business needs to be a small business entity. Your aggregated annual turnover must be less than $50 million for the income year in which you incur the expenditure.

    More information here.

  • Landing Pads provide start-ups with a workspace for up to 90 days in a global innovation hub, along with access to coaching, investors, customers, training and networking events.

    Workspace in a global innovation hub for 90 days.

    For: Market-ready start-up businesses.

    The program provides market-ready scaleups with an operational base and customised support for their overseas expansion goals.

    Scaleups participate in an immersive program in one of Austrade's 6 Landing Pad cities: Bengalaru, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore.

    Landing Pads provide:

    • a dedicated Landing Pad manager

    • a co-working space

    • access to in-market Entrepreneurs in Residence

    • connections to local founder communities

    • introductions to Austrade customer networks, partners and contacts.

    Landing pads are designed for scaleups ready to expand to global sales and partnerships.

    Applicants should:

    • have an established product

    • be market fit

    • have a customer acquisition strategy

    • have some market leads.

    More information here.