About
The Aboriginal Business Round with clean energy incentive, provides funding support to Aboriginal Western Australian small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their business capability and capacity to supply to major Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government and the private sector.
Now in its eighth round, the program continues to support Aboriginal businesses in building capacity and unlocking new supply opportunities.
As part of the State Government’s commitment to a low-carbon future, this round includes a Clean Energy Incentive. Applications that demonstrate a clear link to the clean energy supply chain will receive a 10% boost to their assessment score. Businesses do not need to operate in the clean energy sector to be eligible - activities like transporting solar panels or upgrading equipment to service renewable projects may qualify.
The level of funding support under the Aboriginal Business Round is 75% of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum funding level of $50,000 per successful applicant.
Who is eligible
Show moreTo be eligible for funding, applicants must:
- Be an Aboriginal business (at least 50% owned by an Aboriginal interest);
- Be registered with either the Aboriginal Business Directory Western Australia or the Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Direct;
- Primarily supply goods or services to businesses or government, rather than relying on walk-in retail trade (exceptions may apply if the proposed activity supports a shift into broader supply chains)
- Be registered for GST for at least 12 months prior to application submission date;
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN);
- Be a for-profit organisation or business, or an incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal Corporation operating as a commercial enterprise;
- Have its principal place of business in Western Australia;
- Have been operating for at least 12 months in Western Australia at the time of submitting an application for funding; and
- Employ less than 200 people.
Previous recipients of funding through the LCF are eligible to apply, subject to conditions outlined in the funding guidelines.
How to apply
Show moreEligible applicants must submit their application online via the SmartyGrants portal
A preview of the application form detailing the information required is available through the portal.
Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines and the Financial Assistance Agreement found on the portal.
Assessment process
Show moreApplications are assessed by an independent Assessment Panel, comprising officers from the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and external experts as required.
Applications are evaluated against their eligibility, relevance to the round objectives and the following criteria:
| Evaluation Criteria | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Relevance or need | 40% |
| Expected outcomes or impact | 30% |
| Capability and capacity | 10% |
| Value for money | 10% |
| Financial viability and risk | 10% |
A satisfactory response across all criteria is required for a successful application.
Tips to applying
Show more- Double-Check Your Application: Have someone else review it to ensure clarity and completeness.
- Simplify Technical Details: Write in a way that anyone, not just industry experts, can understand. Imagine promoting the business via its website or social media.
- Allow Sufficient Time: Start early to gather quotes and relevant documents. (Applications without quotes or relevant documents will receive lower scores.)
- Be Concise: Provide sufficient detail without overwhelming assessors.
- Highlight Key Information: Include important details that will make your application stand out.
- Check Eligibility: Ensure the business and activities are eligible before investing time in the application. Contact the relevant team if you have eligibility questions.
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