[Episode 54] Small Business Growth Grants WA: What You Need to Know

Running a small business in Western Australia can be both exciting and exhausting. You’re juggling staff, cash flow, marketing, and growth, all while trying to keep the big picture in mind. The good news? The WA Government’s Small Business Growth Grants Program is here to give you a helping hand.

This program offers small businesses a chance to access up to $10,000 in matched-funding vouchers to invest in professional services that fuel growth. But like all grants, there are rules, timelines, and strategies to be aware of if you want to make the most of it.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

• Who is eligible

• What you can apply for (and what you can’t)

• Key dates and conditions to remember

• Why strategic business planning is the best first step

• How Ask Fleur can support you in preparing your application

Who is eligible?

Not every business will qualify. The grant has been designed specifically for small businesses that are ready to grow. To apply, you must:

• Be a for-profit business based in WA (charities and not-for-profits are not eligible)

• Employ between 1 and 20 full-time equivalent staff (owners and directors count towards this total)

• Have an ABN and GST registration continuously since on or before 1 January 2024

• Have been trading continuously in WA since before 1 January 2024

• Meet the turnover requirements:

  • $200,000+ per year for metro-based businesses

  • $100,000+ per year for regional-based businesses

• Have a total annual payroll under $4 million across Australia

• Provide a recent, unredacted PDF business bank statement from 2025, showing transactions, BSB, account number, and your business name

If you tick all of these boxes, you’re in the right place to apply.

What can you apply for?

This grant isn’t about covering everyday bills—it’s about growth. The government will match your investment, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, to pay for professional services that give your business a clear pathway to expansion.

Eligible services include:

• Strategic business planning (a strong foundation for everything else)

• Marketing and digital strategies to help you attract more clients

• Financial management and growth modelling to give you confidence in your numbers

• Workforce development and leadership planning to strengthen your team

• ICT systems, innovation, and supply chain improvements to future-proof your business

What you can’t use the voucher for

The program specifically excludes everyday operating costs and purchases such as:

• Wages, rent, utilities, or stock

• Equipment, software, or memberships

• Legal, bookkeeping, or accounting fees

• Subscriptions, advertising, printing, or signage

• Travel and accommodation

• Any project that has already started or been funded elsewhere

This keeps the program tightly focused on growth initiatives, not business-as-usual.

Key dates you need to know

• Applications open: 4 August 2025 (10am AWST)

• Applications close: 3 October 2025 (5pm AWST) OR earlier if funds run out

With only $1 million allocated to the program, it’s worth acting fast. Once the budget is gone, the program will close.

Supplier rules: only five quotes

One of the unique aspects of this grant is how suppliers are managed. Each approved service provider can only submit up to five quotes during the application period.

What does this mean for you? If you want to work with a specific coach, strategist, or consultant—such as Ask Fleur—you need to move early. Once a supplier has reached their five-quote limit, they can’t provide more, even if you’re the perfect fit.

This rule makes it even more important to decide quickly, get your quote, and secure your spot.

Why start with strategic business planning?

It can be tempting to dive straight into marketing, tech, or team development, but without a clear plan, you risk spreading your resources too thin. Strategic business planning is the most powerful first step because it:

• Defines your growth priorities so you don’t chase distractions

• Maps achievable, measurable goals with clear timeframes

• Aligns your time, energy, and money with what matters most

• Provides the clarity and confidence that grant assessors are looking for

• Sets the foundation for any follow-on projects in marketing, systems, or team growth

Think of it as building the blueprint before you start renovating the house. Without it, you can waste time and money on short-term fixes instead of long-term results.

How Ask Fleur can support you

At Ask Fleur, I’ve worked with business owners, professionals, and teams across Western Australia to plan, refocus, and grow with confidence. My approach blends practical business planning with the Success Principles framework, helping you:

• Create a customised growth plan that aligns with your business vision

• Strengthen your grant application with clear, measurable objectives

• Avoid overwhelm by breaking growth down into achievable steps

• Build the systems, mindset, and accountability you need to follow through

And to make things easier, I’ve created a simple checklist you can use to quickly check if your business is eligible for the grant.

👉 Download your free checklist here

Final thoughts

The WA Small Business Growth Grants Program is a golden opportunity to invest in your future. With up to $10,000 in matched funding vouchers available, it’s designed to help small businesses build solid foundations for growth.

But remember:

• Applications are time-sensitive

• Suppliers can only provide five quotes each

• The strongest applications begin with strategy

If you’d like guidance on where to begin, start with a strategic business plan. Let’s map out your next steps together so you’re ready to make the most of this funding opportunity.

👉 Ready to explore your eligibility? Book a call with Ask Fleur and let’s get started.