WA AUKUS SME Readiness Fund

  • Grant applications open until 15 December 2025
  • Grants up to $100,000 per successful application. Funding covers 50% of eligible costs.
  • The total funding pool for the AUKUS SME Readiness Fund is $2 million, delivered over four years.

The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund 2025/26 is a competitive grant program administered by Defence West to support Western Australian small and medium enterprises in building the capacity and capability needed to secure work within the AUKUS supply chain. The program focuses on Pillar 1, which involves components for conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and Pillar 2, which covers priority technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum technologies, advanced cyber, and undersea capabilities.

Key Requirements

The primary objective of the fund is to strengthen the readiness of WA SMEs for AUKUS-related opportunities while enhancing industrial resilience as part of the Made in WA plan.

Through this initiative, the government aims to increase the participation of local businesses in AUKUS supply chains and improve their technical, compliance, and security capabilities to meet international standards.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding supports activities that build AUKUS-related capacity and capability, including:

  • Process improvements: QA, HSEQ, material/manufacturing controls, compliance upgrades.
  • Certifications: US/UK supply chain requirements.
  • Specialist software integration and training.
  • Consultancy services for process improvements and export compliance.
  • Recruitment/onboarding costs for skilled staff (excluding salaries).
  • Acquisition of plant and equipment (e.g., CNC machinery, specialised hardware/software).
  • Physical and cyber security enhancements (e.g., CUI handling, cybersecurity certifications).
  • Specialist advice on US/UK defence export controls.

Retrospective activities initiated after May 2025 are eligible.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Western Australian SMEs that meet all the following key requirements:

  • Be GST-registered for at least 12 months.
  • Hold an ABN.
  • Be a for-profit business (not-for-profits and charities are ineligible).
  • Operate for at least two years, including one year in WA.
  • Have principal operations in WA and remain based there for 12 months post-application.
  • Employ fewer than 200 people.
  • Submit only one application per round.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.