Grants in Export

The WA Defence Ready Initiative – Round 4 is a competitive grant program administered by Defence West within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Its purpose is to strengthen Western Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the defence sector by improving their capability, capacity, and competitiveness. The program supports businesses to become reliable suppliers of products, services, and works across all defence domains. By funding strategic improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development, the initiative aims to increase WA’s contribution to meeting Defence requirements and expand local industry participation in national and international defence supply chains.

The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund 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.

The Collaborative Research Grant (CRG) is a competitive funding initiative co-funded by the Western Australian Government and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). It supports cross-disciplinary collaboration between WA-based industry and academic institutions to develop technologies that are relevant to Defence and aligned with national strategic priorities.

The Supply Chain Capacity Program supports Western Australian sheep producers and supply‑chain businesses to adjust to the phase‑out of live sheep exports by sea. Funded as part of the Australian Government’s transition assistance package, the program totals $40 million, delivered over two competitive rounds of $20 million each and administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC) with delivery by DPIRD. Grants are available for capital investments that expand capacity, efficiency and productivity across WA’s sheep supply chain. Two streams apply: producers can seek $50,000–$2.0 million for on‑farm finishing infrastructure, and processors can seek $50,000–$5.0 million to enhance processing capacity (e.g., lairage, ramps, cold stores, wastewater, heavy‑vehicle access, feedlots, and technology such as objective carcase measurement (OCM) including necessary software and training).

The Accelerating Trade Grant Program supports Tasmanian businesses to expand their presence internationally, or enter new markets, through marketing, promotion, trade events, business matching, market research, inbound buyer visits, etc. The program offers grant assistance of up to $10,000 to cover up to 50% of the expenses related to specific off-island activities aimed at promoting market growth and diversification for Tasmanian businesses.

The program offers different levels of support depending on where the business currently is on its export journey. Each stream is based on a 50:50 co-contribution basis.

The Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Grant Program supports Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturing enterprises by funding productivity-enhancing activities. These include obtaining accreditations, expert advice, and developing staff and business skills, as part of the Tasmanian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2028.

The fund’s objective is to enhance SMEs' business capability and capacity to supply to export markets, Western Australian or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government and the private business sector.

The Australian Defence Industry Development Grants Program (DIDG) announced it will award grants as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy, offering $153.6 million over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28 to support businesses in areas critical to national defence. The Defence Industry Development Grants Program's Exports Stream provides funding for small and medium enterprises in the defence industry, to assist them in overcoming export challenges and compete at an international level.