Supply Chain Capacity Program (SCCP) WA – Round 1

Purpose and Program Overview

The Supply Chain Capacity Program (SCCP) is an Australian Government initiative, administered by the Regional Business Development Corporation, established as part of the $139.7 million transition assistance package for Western Australia. The program’s core purpose is to assist WA sheep producers and supply chain businesses in adjusting to the planned cessation of live sheep exports by sea, thereby moderating the economic and operational impact of this policy change.

The program aims to create a stronger, more resilient sheep industry in WA by incentivising investment in critical infrastructure and operations. Key objectives include increasing onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency, and productivity to better meet future processing demands and capture emerging opportunities for value-added sheep meat products.

The overall SCCP allocates $40 million across two competitive grant rounds. Round 1 provides $20 million to fund capital projects that build confidence in the sheep industry and support both on-farm finishing activities and enhanced processing capabilities.

Key Grant Details

Key details for Round 1 of the Supply Chain Capacity Program are as follows:

• Grant amount or funding range: Grants vary by stream: Stream 1 (Producers) offers $50,000 to $2.0 million. Stream 2 (Processors) offers $50,000 to $5.0 million.
• Application open and close dates: Applications opened on 27 August 2025 and closed on Wednesday 22 October 2025.
• Eligible industries or business types: Sheep producers, processors, feedlot operators, and businesses involved in the WA sheep supply chain (e.g., cold storage, lairage services).
• Required co-contributions: Yes, dollar-for-dollar matching co-contributions are mandatory from the applicant.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Strictly limited to businesses operating or intending to operate projects located in regional and/or metropolitan Western Australia (WA).

Priority Sectors

The program is exclusively targeted at the Western Australian Sheep Industry and associated Supply Chain sectors.

The focus is on two core areas:

• Sheep Producers: Investment in on-farm finishing activities, feedlotting, and capacity infrastructure to manage sheep turn-off spikes.
• Sheep Processors: Investment in facilities and operations that increase onshore processing capacity, efficiency, and productivity.

Funding Scope

The $20 million available in Round 1 is structured into two streams based on the applicant’s position in the supply chain, with funding strictly for capital investments.

• Stream 1: Capital investments for producers: Grants from $50,000 to $2.0 million for on-farm finishing activities and associated infrastructure.
• Stream 2: Capital investments for processors: Grants from $50,000 to $5.0 million to enhance onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency, and productivity.
• Funding Category: Primarily for capital works and the installation of technological advancements.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Not explicitly specified, but funds support capital projects designed to increase supply chain resilience before the trade cessation.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet specific business and operational criteria within the WA sheep supply chain:

• Operation/Location: Must be operating or intending to operate in WA’s sheep supply chain and intend to locate the project in regional and/or metropolitan WA.
• Entity Structure: Must be a private sector business, public company, grower cooperative, conglomerate, or formal/informal partnership (or incorporated trustees).
• Financial/Compliance: Must hold an ABN and be registered for GST, be financially viable, and have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years (or similar established track record).
• Co-contribution: Must be able to provide dollar-for-dollar matching co-contributions.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Funding is directed towards capital expenditure that directly enhances the sheep supply chain’s capacity and resilience.

Eligible Activities and Expenses include:

• Processing Facility Upgrades: Capital investments in lairage, ramps, cold stores, and wastewater upgrades.
• Logistics Infrastructure: Improved heavy vehicle access and associated driver facilities at processing sites.
• On-Farm Finishing: Developing and upgrading feedlots and other on-farm finishing infrastructure.
• Technology: Installation of technological advancements, such as Objective Carcass Measurement (OCM) technology in processing plants, software upgrades, and processor training related to OCM feedback.

Assessment Process

The Supply Chain Capacity Program is administered as a Competitive Grant Program. Applications are assessed against established criteria to ensure optimal strategic investment.

Key evaluation criteria focus on:

• Strategic Alignment: Clear contribution to the program’s objectives of increasing onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency, and productivity.
• Value for Money: Demonstrating that the proposed investment maximises the impact within available funds and co-contributions, and is the most effective way to strengthen the sheep supply chain.
• Financial Capacity: The financial viability of the business and its ability to secure and provide the mandatory dollar-for-dollar matching co-contribution.

Recent Program Updates

Round 1 of the Supply Chain Capacity Program is now closed, with applications closing on 22 October 2025. This round allocated $20 million of the total $40 million program budget. The key feature of this round was the separation of funding into two distinct streams with different maximum limits, and the requirement for a 1:1 mandatory co-contribution from all applicants. A subsequent Round 2 is anticipated, which will distribute the remaining $20 million.

Application Tips

While this specific round has closed, applicants preparing for a potential Round 2 should focus on the following:

• Quantify Capacity Uplift: Proposals must clearly quantify the increase in capacity, efficiency, or productivity that the capital investment will deliver for the WA sheep supply chain.
• Demonstrate Secured Co-funding: As a dollar-for-dollar match is mandatory, applicants must demonstrate they have secured or committed their co-contribution funding (100% of the grant amount) to prove financial viability.
• Targeted Stream Application: Ensure the application is submitted under the correct stream (Producer or Processor) based on the nature of the capital investment and the maximum grant limit sought.
• Address Regulatory Context: Explicitly link the proposed investment to moderating the impact of the live sheep export cessation, proving the project builds a more resilient and processing-focused industry.

Where to get help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.