New round of grants for WA manufacturers

Local manufacturers could be eligible for up to $500,000 worth of funding as part of the state government’s $10 million Local Capability Fund package. 

The grants will be split into three rounds as part of a plan to localise personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing and support small to medium Western Australian businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The $3 million PPE Manufacturing Round could see individual businesses win up to $500,000 to assist with or begin developing personal protective equipment.

Both new and existing manufacturing businesses may apply.

Another $100,000 will be co-funded through the COVID-19 Business Recovery and Growth round for priority industry SMEs that have been financially affected by the pandemic.

Grants will be awarded based on a manufacturing proposal from the business, which must demonstrate how it intends to use the funding and its long-term viability.

Businesses will also need to meet the independent feasibility requirements set by the government.

The costs of this assessment can be reimbursed through the Market Feasibility Study grant.

Successful applications can then spend funds at their discretion, be it for upgrading plant equipment, staff training or infrastructure upgrades.

Premier Mark McGowan said creating these opportunities is an important part of WA’s COVID-19 recovery process.

“These grants will help successful businesses move towards manufacturing PPE right here in WA, and move towards being less reliant on obtaining PPE from outside the state,” he said.

Health Minister Roger Cook said PPE equipment had proved crucial to healthcare staff throughout COVID-19.

“I’m pleased the state government can offer support to increase local manufacture of health requirements and help SME’s more generally adjust to the new business environment,” he said.

The Local Capability Fund was established in 2011 to assist WA SMEs with business planning and improvements.