WA Investment Attraction Fund - New Energies Industries

WA Investment Attraction Fund – New Energies Industries

  • Round 2 is open and targets critical minerals, green iron and steel, renewable hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
  • The State will determine financial assistance on a case-by-case basis, up to 50% of the total proposal cost or a maximum contribution of $15 million, whichever is lower.
  • Applications are open now and will close on 4 November 2025.

The Investment Attraction Fund (IAF) promotes critical investments in Western Australia across various industries, aiming to diversify the economy and generate local employment opportunities. The New Energies Industries Funding Stream targets subsectors including green iron and steel, critical minerals (battery and mid-/downstream processing), CCUS, and renewable hydrogen. It supports pilot, demonstration and scale projects subject to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) thresholds.

Key Requirements

Round 2 specifically supports projects aligned to the New Energies subsectors: green iron and steel; critical minerals (battery and processing); CCUS; and renewable hydrogen. Supply-chain businesses and project proponents operating in or expanding into these new energies industries are eligible to apply.

Invitations are extended to supply chain entities, project proponents, and ancillary service providers presently engaged in or contemplating expansion into New Energies Industries. This includes entities currently operational in Western Australia, seeking diversification into new industries, as well as international participants intending to initiate operations within the state.

The application involves two stages, each subject to specific assessment criteria.

  1. EOI application
    • Mandatory Criteria:
      • Priority sector(s) and targeted diversification opportunities
      • Co-investment
      • Economic benefits to the State
      • Operational criteria
      • Funding stream-specific criterion: Contribution to decarbonisation
  1. Full application
    • Mandatory Criteria:
      • Sustainable jobs growth
      • Additionality – explaining how the financial assistance of the proposal will benefit the State
      • Investment readiness
      • Contracting risk
    • Desirable Criteria: Strong applications will also illustrate how the proposed project aligns with one or more of the desirable criteria fields, including skills attraction and development, co-contribution, and location.

What is eligible for funding?

The IAF supports activities such as:

  • Supply chain development,
  • Advanced manufacturing, and
  • Science, innovation and technology

The IAF offers financial assistance and investment facilitation support to businesses seeking to:

  • Establish and grow their operations in Western Australia,
  • Relocate company headquarters to Western Australia

What companies are eligible for funding?

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold or be eligible for an Australian Business Number (ABN) registration
  • Applicants must be legal entities (or demonstrate eligibility for an ABN), with a proven trading history for the past three financial years as accepted in their domicile. Applicants must submit financial statements for the preceding three financial years; audited statements may be required if invited to progress.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to furnish a comprehensive business plan, accompanied by substantiating evidence, attesting to the managerial, technical, and financial proficiency necessary for the successful execution of the proposed project.

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.