The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation opened new grant funding rounds via the Local Capability Fund (LCF) on 26 July 2024. The LCF helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Australia to increase their capability, capacity and competitiveness as suppliers of products, services and works to the Western Australian Government, major projects and other important markets.

Regional Business Round

This round of funding is specifically designed to support regional Western Australian SMEs in improving their business capability, capacity and competitiveness to participate as suppliers of goods, services and works to export markets, Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government and the private business sector. 

It is important to note that this LCF round is open to a very broad range of applicants. If you are a regionally based SME in Western Australia that provides goods or services to other businesses, you should spend some time reviewing the guidelines to see if there are funding opportunities available to you.

What are the key criteria?

• Business is located in one of the local government areas specified in the guidelines (see the end section).
• Operating in that region for at least 12 months.
• Be operating in a trade exposed industry (or face competition from national or international SMEs or SMEs outside your region).
• Be registered for GST for at least 12 months.
• Have an ABN.
• Be a for-profit business.
• Have at least one full-time employee (FTE) (in addition to the owner) and less than 200 FTE.

How much can I apply for?

The LCF will cover 50% of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum of $20,000 per successful applicant. For example, to receive the full $20,000, you must have eligible costs of at least $40,000 (excluding GST).

What can I apply for?

• External expertise (planning and business advice, improvement to internal business systems and infrastructure, training).
• Plant and equipment:
• Machinery and equipment (new, second-hand via dealer, modifications)
• Upgrades or expansions to applicant owned business operating facilities.
• Specialised motor vehicles for business purposes only (not utes, 4WD or vans)
• Purchase of specialised computer software and hardware (e.g. tender management software, project management software, online sales and marketing systems).

There are great examples within the guidelines as well as a list of specific activities that are not eligible.

How can I apply?

Eligible applicants must submit their application online via the SmartyGrants portal.

A preview of the application form detailing the required information is available through the portal. Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines and the Financial Assistance Agreement found on the portal.

Submissions close 3pm (AWST) on 13 September 2024.

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Digital Transformation Round 

This round of funding is specifically designed to provide financial support to eligible businesses, encouraging the adoption of digital and data technology to improve their productivity, competitiveness, resilience, safety and/or sustainability. The funding supports SMEs in participating as suppliers of goods, services, and works to export markets, Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government, and the private business sector. Once again, this round is open to a wide range of businesses, so please review the guidelines carefully as your business may be eligible.

What are the key criteria?

• Business located in Western Australia
• Operating in Western Australia for at least three years.
• Be registered for GST for at least 12 months.
• Have an ABN.
• Be a for-profit business.
• Have at least one full-time employee (FTE) (in addition to the owner) and less than 200 FTE.
• Have a turnover of over $500,000 in at least one of the previous three financial years.

How much can I apply for?

The LCF will cover 50% of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum of $25,000 per successful applicant. For example, to receive the full $25,000, you must have eligible costs of at least $50,000 (excluding GST).

What can I apply for?

• Costs of consultancy services or business planning that address an identified business need or opportunity related to digital adoption or data capabilities.
• Improvements in business cybersecurity, including audits, mitigation strategies and staff training.
• Implementation of data analysis tools and platforms, data governance and data management.
• Establishment of an e-commerce platform and/or secure payment portals.
• Integration of technologies to automate business processes, including artificial intelligence products.
• Integration of digital devices such as drones, robotic/autonomous devices, sensors, and/or additive manufacturing equipment (3D printers).
• Costs of short-term training to address a specific digital capability gap within the business.

How can I apply?

Eligible applicants must submit their application online via the SmartyGrants portal.

A preview of the application form detailing the required information is available through the portal. Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines and the Financial Assistance Agreement found on the portal.

Submissions close 3pm (AWST) on 13 September 2024.

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Aboriginal Business Round

This round of funding is specifically designed to support Western Australian Aboriginal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in improving their business capability, capacity and competitiveness to participate as suppliers of goods, services and works to export markets, Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government and the private business sector.

What are the key criteria?

• Be an Aboriginal business (at least 50% owned by an Aboriginal interest).
• Be registered with either the Aboriginal Business Directory Western Australia or the Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory.
• Business located in Western Australia.
• Operating in Western Australia for at least 12 months.
• Be operating in a trade exposed industry (or face competition from national or international SMEs or SMEs outside your region).
• Be registered for GST for at least 12 months.
• Have an ABN.
• Be a for-profit business or an incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal Corporation operating as a commercial enterprise.
• Have at least one full-time employee (FTE) (in addition to the owner) and less than 200 FTE.

How much can I apply for?

The LCF will cover 50 per cent of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum of $50,000 per successful applicant. For example, to receive the full $50,000, you must have eligible costs of at least $100,000 (excluding GST).

What can I apply for?

• External expertise (planning and business advice, improvement to internal business systems and infrastructure, training).
• Plant and equipment:
• Machinery and equipment (new, second-hand via dealer, modifications)
• Upgrades or expansions to applicant-owned business operating facilities.
• Specialised motor vehicles for business purposes only (not utes, 4WD or vans)
• Purchase of specialised computer software and hardware (e.g. tender management software, project management software, online sales and marketing systems).

How can I apply?

Eligible applicants must submit their application online via the SmartyGrants portal.

A preview of the application form detailing the required information is available through the portal. Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines and the Financial Assistance Agreement found on the portal.

Submissions close 3pm (AWST) on 13 September 2024.

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Standards Compliance Round

This round of funding is specifically designed to support Western Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the costs of engaging external expertise to carry out the implementation and third-party certification of the following national and international standards:

• ISO 9001 - Quality management standards to help work more efficiently and reduce product failures.
• ISO 14001 - Environmental management standard to help reduce environmental impacts, reduce waste and be more sustainable.
• ISO 45001 - Health and safety standards to help reduce accidents in the workplace.
• ISO 27001 - IT security standards to help keep sensitive information secure. 
• ISO 50001 - Energy management standards to help reduce energy consumption. 
• AS/NZS 5131 - Steel industry compliance standards to help improve the integrity of structural steelwork.
• ISO 13485:2016 – Medical devices – Quality management systems – requirements for regulatory purposes.

What are the key criteria?

• Business located in Western Australia.
• Operating in Western Australia for at least three years.
• Be operating in a trade-exposed industry (or face competition from national or international SMEs).
• Be registered for GST for at least 12 months.
• Have an ABN.
• Be a for-profit business.
• Have at least one full-time employee (FTE) (in addition to the owner) and less than 200 FTE.

How much can I apply for?

The LCF will cover 50% of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum of $20,000 per successful applicant. For example, to receive the full $20,000, you must have eligible costs of at least $40,000 (excluding GST).

What can I apply for?

Assistance under this round will be provided for the costs of engaging external expertise/consultants for the purpose of implementation and certification of the eligible standard(s). 

Implementation – This includes the following activities:

• Assessment of current systems and practices.
• Reviewing existing procedures.
• Conducting gap analysis.
• Development of manuals, procedures and related documentation.
• Staff training relating to the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the related management system.

Certification – This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Registration and certification fees.
• Audit fees for initial certification (expended within the financial year).
• Travel, accommodation and meals for certification auditor

A condition of this round is that a copy of the certification certificate is provided to the Department as evidence of completion prior to any grant funding being paid out.

How can I apply?

Eligible applicants must submit their application online via the SmartyGrants portal.

A preview of the application form detailing the required information is available through the portal. Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines and the Financial Assistance Agreement found on the portal.

Submissions close 3pm (AWST) on 13 September 2024.

Smith Thornton subscribes to a grant search provider and can help you prepare your grant application. If you have any questions our Business Services Advisor Jenna van Nierop will be happy to assist. You can email her at jennav@smiththornton.com.au or call her on 9842 5155.