Advice & Programs to Build Capability
There are a range of State and Federal Government financial assistance and advisory programs available to support small to medium sized businesses and help them build capacity and capability to compete for Government supply opportunities.
Explore the links below to find out how these programs can help your business.
Grants, assistance & other support
The Local Capability Fund (LCF) is an initiative under the State Government's Plan for Jobs. The purpose of the fund is to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Western Australia to increase their capability and competitiveness as suppliers of products, services and works to the Western Australian State Government, major projects and other important markets.
The LCF typically provides funding assistance on a dollar for dollar basis for activities such as planning, improvements to internal infrastructure, plant and equipment and training.
Australian Steel Institute - New Standard AS/NZS 5131 and Business Information Round
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, in collaboration with the Australian Steel Institute is offering financial assistance of 75 per cent of certification costs (to a maximum of $10,000) to support eligible steel fabricators, galvanisers and finishers for the new Steelwork Fabrication and Erection Standard for Australia (AS/NZS 5131).
This 11th round of the Industry Facilitation and Support Program (IFSP) seeks to assist the sector to improve its competitiveness, capacity and capability to deliver steelwork to major markets and to also improve local companies’ attractiveness in important markets such as resources, government and defence.
Businesses within the sector can also benefit from utilising services that provide up to date information related to construction developments and opportunities; whilst also providing links to architects, designers and project proponents with relevant and timely data. Such services form a useful part of the research toolkit for gauging activity, forecasting at a national, state & regional level whilst also providing an overview of activity by postcode.
IFSP offers funding of up to 75% to a maximum of $5,000 for 1st year subscription costs. The round is also available to applicant businesses who employ 200 people or more.
More information and application forms are available here.
Business.gov.au
Business.gov.au is an online government resource for the Australian business community. Here you can find a list of State and Federal Government financial assistance and advisory programs and grants available to help small to medium sized businesses innovate, diversify and grow. You can also search for local business support and advisory services near you.
jobactive
jobactive is an Australian Government service that connects businesses with people seeking employment. Your local jobactive provider can shortlist, screen and recommend job-ready candidates, at no cost to your business. jobactive also offers financial incentives of up to $10,000 to cover the costs of hiring and training new staff, as well as advice on how to set up and grow a business.
Get Your Business Growing
This Australian Government initiative offers a range of programs and financial incentives to help small to medium businesses hire and train new staff. Businesses may be able to access financial incentives of up $10,000 to cover the costs of employing new staff, or up to $20,500 to hire an eligible apprentice or trainee.
Small Business Development Corporation
The Small Business Development Corporation provides free advice and practical support for small
businesses in Western Australia.
New Industries Fund
The $16.7 million New Industries Fund was developed to support and accelerate new and emerging businesses, in order to diversify the economy and create new jobs for Western Australians. The Fund will support a series of initiatives including Innovation Hubs, business growth programs, sponsorship, investment attraction, and industry-university collaboration and research programs. $4.5 million of funding will be allocated to regional Western Australia to support the capability and economic sustainability of regional economies. Future initiatives will be guided by the innovation sector, and announced in due course.
Department of Training and Workforce Development – Priority Start Policy
The Department of Training and Workforce Development is responsible for the whole of government implementation of the new Priority Start policy, which replaced the Government Building Training Policy on 1 April 2019.
Priority Start applies to all State Government building, construction and maintenance contracts valued over $5 million (incl GST), resulting from tenders issued from 1 April 2019. Under the policy, all head contractors awarded these contracts are required to meet a target training rate for employment of apprentices and trainees, across the Statewide combined construction trades workforce of their company and all subcontractors used for the contract. More information about this policy is available here