Helps local Aboriginal businesses enhance their capability, capacity and competitiveness when bidding for Government and private sector projects.

The Local Capability Fund (LCF) helps small and medium-sized enterprises in Western Australia to increase their capability, capacity and competitiveness as suppliers of products, services and works to the Western Australian Government, major projects and other important markets. Applications close 4 September 2025.

The fund can be used for expenses such as:

• Making improvements to internal infrastructure, plant and equipment
• Training
• Meeting pre-qualification requirements for supply-chain entry
• Buying and upgrading essential equipment
• Engaging consultants to advise on matters including occupational health and safety, marketing, finance and cybersecurity
• Planning improvements to internal infrastructure, plant and equipment and training

The Aboriginal Business Round 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.

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.

To 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
• Be operating in a trade-exposed industry (or an industry that faces competition from other national or international SMEs)
• 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
• Employ less than 200 people

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider's website.

Smith Thornton subscribes to a grant search provider and can help you prepare your grant application. If you have any questions our Business Services Advisor Jenna van Nierop will be happy to assist. You can email her at jennav@smiththornton.com.au or call her on 9842 5155.