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Defence West: Defence Ready Initiative

WA Defence Ready Initiative

  • Applications are open until: 23 February 2024
  • Grants: In this current phase of the DRI, funding support is established at 50% of eligible costs (excluding GST), capped at a maximum of $20,000 per successful applicant. For example, to qualify for the entire $20,000, a minimum of $40,000 in eligible costs (excluding GST) is required.

The Defence Ready Initiative (DRI) aims to financially support SMEs in Western Australia engaged in the Defence sector, enhancing their business capability, capacity, and competitiveness. The goal is to enable these businesses to serve as suppliers for products, services, and works aligned with Defence requirements.

Key Requirements

Eligibility for funding requires applicants to have a minimum operational history of two years, including at least one year in Western Australia, when submitting the funding application.

The assessment of applications, conducted by an independent evaluation panel after the round concludes, involves evaluating eligibility and alignment with the round’s objectives. The following criteria will be used for scoring:

  • Relevance/need 
  • Level of impact 
  • Capability and capacity (level of market/industry engagement)
  • Value for money 
  • Financial viability and risk

All proposed activities must be finalised by the project completion date of 30 June 2025.

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities for funding under the DRI include the following:

A. External expertise for purposes such as

  • Planning and business advice:
    • strategic and business planning
    • development and implementation of marketing plans
    • supply chain facilitation
    • tender submission advice and preparation
    • preparation and submission of applications for government and international grants
  • Improvements to internal business infrastructure/systems including:
    • production systems
    • transportation and distribution systems
    • IT and communication systems, including cyber security
    • implementation and certification of national and international standards and management systems
    • operational activities necessary to meet pre-qualification requirements of the target market
  • Training and/or customer engagement covering:
    • up-skilling of employees for improved operational processes
    • training as part of staff development requirements
    • costs related to activities building customer relationships (e.g., trade shows)
    • travel and accommodation costs for training where local options are unavailable
    • costs involved in bringing registered trainers for local group training.

B. Plant and equipment, which may include

  • acquisition of new or second-hand equipment/machinery through a dealer
  • modification of existing equipment/machinery
  • upgrades or expansions to applicant-owned business facilities
  • purchase of specialised motor vehicles dedicated to specific functions. Note: Utility vehicles, 4x4s, and vans are not considered specialised vehicles
  • purchase of specialised computer hardware and software (e.g., tender management, project management, online sales, and marketing systems).

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligibility criteria for funding under the DRI include:

    • GST registration for a minimum of 12 months before the application submission date
    • have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
    • status as a for-profit organisation or business (not-for-profits and charities are ineligible).
    • operation with a principal place of business (operating facility) in Western Australia, with a commitment to remaining in the state for at least the subsequent 12 months post-application submission
    • employment of fewer than 200 people
    • a minimum operational history of 2 years, including at least one year of activity in Western Australia, at the time of applying for funding.

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.