WA Local Capability Fund – Aboriginal Business Round

Purpose and Program Overview

The WA Local Capability Fund: Aboriginal Business Round is a Western Australian Government initiative. It supports Aboriginal-owned small to medium-sized businesses. The program helps these businesses improve their capability and competitiveness. The fund helps Aboriginal businesses get and deliver contracts. These contracts can be with Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government, and the private sector. The fund helps with sustainable business growth and increases Indigenous participation in supply chains.

The total funding pool for the Local Capability Fund is about $5 million. This is allocated across several rounds, including the Aboriginal Business Round. The fund helps with economic development within the Aboriginal business community. Businesses with a clear connection to the clean energy supply chain get a 10% scoring boost. This promotes sustainable business practices and innovation.

This program strengthens Aboriginal business infrastructure, workforce skills, and market reach. It aligns with government goals for Indigenous economic empowerment and inclusive supply chains in Western Australia.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $50,000 (excluding GST) per applicant.
• Application open: Now open.
• Application close: 4 September 2025 at 3:00 PM AWST.
• Eligible industries/business types: Aboriginal-owned businesses (minimum 50% Aboriginal ownership). They must be registered with the Aboriginal Business Directory Western Australia or Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory.
• Co-contributions: Applicants must provide a 25% co-contribution of eligible project costs.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Western Australia only.

Priority Sectors

The grant is open to Aboriginal businesses across diverse sectors. It prioritises businesses that are:

• Participating or intending to participate in clean energy supply chains. These businesses get a scoring boost.
• Operating in trade-exposed industries.
• Improving capabilities for supplying to government and private sector contracts.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum funding amounts: Up to $50,000 per grant. It covers 75% of eligible costs.
• Funding categories/streams: The fund supports business capability improvements. This includes:
  • Infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
  • Staff training and upskilling.
  • Consultancy services for compliance, marketing, finance, and occupational health and safety.
  • Capacity building for bids and contract delivery.
• Project timeline: Projects should typically align with the financial year.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding available for all 2025–26 Local Capability Fund rounds is approximately $5 million.

Eligibility Criteria

• The business must be Aboriginal-owned, with at least 50% Aboriginal ownership.
• It must be registered with the Aboriginal Business Directory Western Australia or Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory.
• The business must have been operating in Western Australia for at least 12 months.
• The business must employ fewer than 200 people.
• The business must be registered for GST for at least 12 months before applying.
• It must operate in a trade-exposed industry.
• For-profit organisations and incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal corporations operating commercially can apply.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

LCF Aboriginal Business Round supports activities that improve business capability. This includes:

• Upgrading plant, equipment, and internal infrastructure.
• Staff training and workforce capability enhancement.
• Meeting pre-qualification and compliance requirements for supply chains.
• Hiring external consultants for marketing, finance, cybersecurity, and occupational health and safety advice.
• Business development activities that help with growth and competitiveness.

Assessment Process

LCF Aboriginal Business Round is a competitive, merit-based process. Applications are scored on business impact and alignment to program objectives. Preference is given to projects that improve supply chain competitiveness and clean energy engagement. Funding is allocated based on application scores and available budget.

Recent Program Updates

The 2025–26 funding round is now open. It includes a Clean Energy Incentive, which boosts the scores of eligible applications by 10%. There is a continued focus on increasing Aboriginal business participation in government and private supply chains. The application process is supported by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Application Tips

• Confirm your eligibility and registration on the relevant Aboriginal business directories.
• Clearly show how the project enhances capability or access to supply chains. Mention clean energy if it applies.
• Prepare a detailed budget. Show the mandatory 25% co-contribution.
• Provide evidence of business operations and prior experience.
• Apply early to avoid missing the closing deadline. This also allows for potential clarification requests.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We can help with eligibility checks and application preparation. Visit the official Western Australian government website for application templates, guidelines, and resources.