New Industries Fund: Innovation Booster Grant

Purpose and Program Overview

The New Industries and Innovation Fund: Innovation Booster Grant 2026 is a competitive Western Australian Government grant that supports early‑stage founders, innovation‑driven SMEs and startups to build capability and commercialise innovative products, services or technologies. It provides targeted financial assistance to help businesses refine, test, protect, validate and certify innovation so they can progress towards market readiness and growth.

The grant is funded through the $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund (2025–29), which underpins a broader program of support for innovation and new industries development in Western Australia. The program is administered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and forms part of the State Government’s strategy to diversify the economy, strengthen high‑growth sectors and support new jobs across metropolitan and regional WA.

The Innovation Booster Grant also aims to improve access to specialist expertise and support services, particularly for regional, female and First Nations-founded businesses that may face additional barriers to commercialisation. Since 2021, the grant has provided more than $6.6 million to support almost 200 local innovation projects across Western Australia.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $50,000 per application (maximum per project).
• Application open date: 10 March 2026 (latest round).​
• Application close date: Monday, 30 March 2026, 4:00 pm (AWST).
• Eligible industries or business types: Early‑stage founders, innovation‑driven SMEs and startups developing innovations aligned with Western Australia’s priority sectors under Diversify WA.
• Required co‑contributions: Cash co‑contribution of generally 15%–20% of total project costs, with 15% for regional, female and First Nations founded businesses and 20% for other applicants (subject to current round rules).
• Location/state/territory applicability: Western Australia only; applicants must be based in and operating from WA.

Priority Sectors

The Innovation Booster Grant gives preference to projects that align with Western Australia’s priority sectors as outlined in the State’s Diversify WA economic diversification framework. These sectors typically include areas such as energy, mining and METS, tourism, international education, defence industries, space industries, health and medical life sciences, primary industries, and technology and advanced manufacturing, as defined in Diversify WA.

Applications that clearly demonstrate alignment with one or more of Diversify WA’s priority sectors are more likely to be competitive in the assessment process. However, the grant supports a broad range of innovation-driven projects across the State, provided they meet the eligibility and assessment criteria.

Funding Scope

The program offers a single stream of competitive funding, with a maximum of $50,000 per project to support eligible innovation‑focused activities. There is no formal tiered stream structure (such as separate feasibility or capital works streams), but funded activities typically fall under areas such as product development, validation, commercialisation support and access to specialist services.

Applicants must provide a cash co‑contribution towards project costs, generally between 15% and 20%, depending on whether they are regional, female or First Nations founded, or other applicants. The total project budget is usually capped at under $100,000, meaning the grant covers a proportion of costs up to the $50,000 limit, with the remainder funded by the applicant.

Projects must be completed within the timeframe specified in the grant guidelines, which is typically within a 12‑month period from the execution of the grant agreement or within the financial year for which funding is approved. Applicants are required to outline a clear project plan, milestones and budget to demonstrate that the proposed activities can be delivered within the approved timeframe.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be an early‑stage founder, innovation‑driven SME or startup based in Western Australia.
• The business must be registered in WA with a current ABN and/or ACN.​
• The organisation should employ approximately 1–20 staff, including sole traders, partnerships and eligible not‑for‑profit entities.​
• The total project budget must generally be under $100,000.​
• The business must not have raised significant external capital (commonly defined as at least $5 million).​
• The applicant must be solvent and able to provide the required cash co‑contribution.​
• The business must commit to remaining based in Western Australia for at least three years following the project.​
• The project must not have previously received Innovation Booster Grant funding for the same activities.​
• Applicants must comply with all relevant laws and regulations and hold appropriate insurance as required under the grant agreement.
• The applicant must be willing to participate in monitoring, reporting and evaluation activities as required by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.

(Exact thresholds and definitions should be confirmed against the current 2026 program guidelines on the official WA Government website.)

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Product development and prototyping, including design, build, testing and iteration of innovative products or technologies.
• Validation, certification and compliance testing to meet industry standards or regulatory requirements.
• Intellectual property strategy and protection, including patents, trademarks and related legal advice.
• Market research, customer validation and go‑to‑market planning for innovative offerings.
• Specialist consultancy support, technical expertise and advisory services that directly support the commercialisation of the innovation.
• Limited supporting activities, such as software development, technology upgrades, or integration directly linked to the innovation project.

Ineligible or restricted expenditures commonly include ongoing operational expenses, general marketing, retrospective costs, debt repayment and activities not directly tied to the defined innovation project. Applicants should review the official 2026 guidelines to confirm the detailed list of eligible and ineligible costs before applying.

Assessment Process

The Innovation Booster Grant is a competitive grant program; funding is not guaranteed and is awarded based on the quality of applications and available budget. Applications are assessed against published criteria, and only the strongest proposals that best meet the objectives of the program are funded.

Key evaluation criteria typically include:

• Project innovation: degree of novelty, differentiation and the problem being solved.​
• Need for funding: justification for government support and how the grant will materially advance the project.​
• Competitive advantage: market potential, scalability and benefits relative to competitors.​
• Capacity and resources: capability of the team, access to expertise and readiness to deliver the project.​
• Impact and alignment: expected economic, industry and community benefits and alignment with Diversify WA priority sectors.

An internal assessment panel within DEED (and, where relevant, external experts) reviews applications, scores them against the criteria and recommends projects for funding approval.

Recent Program Updates

For 2026, applications for the Innovation Booster Grant opened on 10 March and closed on 30 March 2026, 4:00 pm (AWST), reflecting a defined, time‑limited competitive round. Recent changes have included an increase in the maximum grant amount to $50,000 (up from earlier caps such as $40,000) and adjustments to co‑contribution rates, particularly to support regional, female and First Nations-founded businesses.

The Innovation Booster Grant sits within the expanded $40 million New Industries and Innovation Fund for 2025–29, which consolidates and strengthens the WA government’s support for startups and innovation. Applicants should refer to the 2026 guidelines and FAQs for any updated definitions, eligibility clarifications or assessment refinements that apply to this round.

Application Tips

• Review the latest 2026 Innovation Booster Grant guidelines, FAQs and application information thoroughly to confirm eligibility, funding caps, timelines and documentation requirements before starting an application.
• Confirm that the business structure, staffing, location, project budget and co‑contribution capacity meet the eligibility thresholds and that the project has not previously received IBG funding.
• Clearly articulate the innovation, including the problem it addresses, target customers, unique features and how it differs from existing solutions in the market.
• Demonstrate alignment with at least one Diversify WA priority sector and explain the expected economic, industry and job creation benefits in Western Australia.
• Provide a realistic and detailed project plan, budget and milestones, showing how the grant and co‑contribution will be used and how the project will be delivered within the required timeframe.
• Use concise, evidence‑based responses and, where available, include data, customer feedback or pilots to support claims of demand and impact.​
• Allow sufficient time before the closing date to obtain quotes, gather supporting documents and review the application for completeness and consistency.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Pattens Group can help interpret the Innovation Booster Grant 2026 guidelines, structure a robust project plan and budget, and ensure that responses address the assessment criteria and align with State Government priorities.

For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, applicants should visit the Western Australian Government website pages for the New Industries and Innovation Fund: Innovation Booster Grant and the 2026 Innovation Booster Grant applications announcement. Prospective applicants may also attend any advertised information sessions and contact the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification directly for clarification on eligibility or program rules.

Support Competitive Projects With An Innovation Booster Grant

When considering Western Australian government funding programs, such as the Innovation Booster Grant, businesses often need the right support with their applications. 

Pattens Group steps in to help you efficiently assess eligibility and develop compliant applications, all by providing strategic guidance, expertise, and grant writing Australia-wide.

This Innovation Booster Grant can suit commercialisation work that still carries technical risk.

The Innovation Booster Grant is something that can be applied to a variety of industries. Examples of sectors that can apply for this program are:

Construction-tech and built-environment innovation

Programs like the Innovation Booster Grant offer support for proof-of-concept work. This funding is critical for activities where the main uncertainty is whether a new method can be implemented safely, consistently, and at a price point that is acceptable to customers.

For example, a startup can be looking to innovate with prefabrication workflows. This business will need independent engineering validation, meticulous pilot planning, and controlled trials to ensure its methods align with safety standards and can be integrated into existing systems.

Before committing to larger supply contracts, these companies must confirm every detail meets industry standards, and this type of startup innovation funding can help with that.

Logistics, freight, and supply-chain optimisation

If you’re considering Australian government business grants, the Innovation Booster Grant of funding can be relevant when the commercial barrier is demonstrating that a new operating model will reduce cost or improve reliability at scale.

Take a company testing a route-optimisation or warehouse automation concept, for example. Operations may need to run a structured pilot, engage specialist support, and gather data to quantify performance improvements. Additionally, the business would need to validate integration requirements with existing systems used by customers and partners.

Mining services and industrial operations

Innovation funding for SMES can support projects with technical uncertainty. That could be whether a new solution can operate in harsh environments and still deliver measurable operational benefits.

A mining service provider based in Perth, for instance, might experiment with a sensor-driven maintenance approach.

This innovation requires rigorous testing design, precise calibration, and independent analysis, which can result in substantiated claims of reduced downtime and improved efficiency. 

Cybersecurity and risk technology

Funding sources similar to the Innovation Booster Grant can be used when the commercialisation hurdle is proving that the solution meaningfully reduces risk and can pass customer due diligence, which is often more demanding than building the product itself. 

For instance, a company developing compliance automation tools might need funds for penetration testing and security architecture reviews. To assure prospective clients, controlled customer validation becomes key. Before integration into enterprise systems, the solution must be bolstered and should satisfy all procurement criteria. 

Education technology and workforce training platforms

SME innovation grants can suit offerings where the advancement is in measurable outcomes and delivery, and the risk is whether adoption and impact can be demonstrated credibly.

In this unique situation, R&D grants like the Innovation Booster Grant can empower a training provider to develop an interactive assessment platform. The business may need structured testing to validate learning, refined onboarding for diverse user groups, and compelling evidence to support broader implementation discussions. 

Regardless of the type of grant you’re applying for, early planning is crucial.

When it comes to Australian innovation programs, a recurring challenge in the grant application process is translating technical work into documentation that assessors will find complete and understandable. 

Effective planning means balancing responsibility for inputs, setting internal sign-off protocols, and organising evidence collection. This is a crucial balance for founders, finance leads, and technical managers who have to keep tabs on delivery, compliance, and customer commitments. 

Defining the project scope can improve applications for the innovation support Australia provides.

Grant applications are generally stronger where the project scope is tightly defined and clearly separated from business-as-usual operations. 

In addition, many grant projects rely on external specialist support, and clarity in defining each provider’s role in terms of outputs and decision impact is crucial. When the provider’s work is tied to validation, technical progress, or market readiness, it becomes easier to justify the project design and avoid wasted effort.

Ultimately, companies can reduce friction by treating the applications for research and innovation grants as a commercial narrative supported by facts. When inputs are coordinated, consistent, and aligned to a single project logic, the process becomes more defensible and easier to maintain if questions arise during the assessment period.

We provide end-to-end support, with proven execution and strategic guidance.

As business advisers for innovation booster grants, we’re a long-term partner for Australian businesses. For decision-makers seeking expert validation before engaging internal resources, our approach can align with their strategic objectives. 

We support technical leaders and provide the certainty that grant-related activities meld seamlessly with overarching funding strategies. This connection helps ensure that time and effort complement broader business goals. 

Additionally, our Grant Discovery and Eligibility Assessment process guides your focus. We help businesses prioritise R&D government grants that align with their vision, which means companies can avoid pursuits that do not fit their goals and plans. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What kind of evidence tends to carry the most weight for applications?

For applications to programs similar to the Innovation Booster Grant, strong evidence is specific, third-party, and commercially grounded. 

This includes clear project plans that succinctly outline the scope and objectives. Itemised budgets and written quotes from unbiased service providers also solidify your financial foundation. Plus, it helps to show real market pull, such as customer discovery notes, letters of support, pilot interest, or a defined route to commercialisation.

We can help structure this evidence for clarity and impact. This allows the assessors of commercialisation grants or other funding programs to swiftly gauge the feasibility, value for money, and alignment of your project.

How do you show project management without overclaiming outcomes?

You can demonstrate sound project management through structure and controls, not promises. 

Presenting a robust delivery plan highlights your project’s viability and governance. Focus on key elements such as milestones, responsible parties, timeframes, and dependencies. These should map out how you’ll manage the budget, suppliers, and associated risks.

So, whether you’re applying for business grants WA-wide or federal funding opportunities, keep outcomes framed as targets and deliverables, such as “prototype developed” or “testing completed,” instead of guaranteed market results.

How are collaboration expectations handled so they do not create friction?

Effective collaboration for government innovation grants generally requires early definition and documentation. Address issues before they surface by clearly setting expectations about roles, ownership, decision-making, timelines, and information sharing. 

A written scope of work provides essential clarity for all involved parties. Plus, agreed checkpoints with service providers, mentors, or research partners help maintain alignment and reduce misunderstandings.

Let Australia’s leading grants specialists support you.

As reliable business advisors for grant applications, Pattens Group adopts a No Win, No Fee model that reduces risks. With us, you only pay if you receive business innovation funding. 

We provide end-to-end funding strategy support, helping businesses connect technology development funding or similar programs to their broader financing plan. A dedicated consultant can manage the process and maintain consistency across inputs. We have some of the strongest technical grant writers developing compliant applications. 

Book a free, no-obligation consultation with us to learn more about your options, whether you’re applying for a grant in your state or making a claim for a research and development tax incentive.

Disclaimer: Information provided is general in nature and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Eligibility for government grants and incentives is subject to program guidelines and assessment by relevant authorities.