The $10,000 Question: Are WA Businesses Missing out on Strategic Growth money?

The Opportunity behind the Acronyms

Having been there myself, I understand how hard it is to bootstrap your start-up dream. Having a great idea is one thing, but realising the growth and making it last is even harder.

In recent weeks, I’ve been working with a client in WA’s retail-fashion sector. They’re fast growing, thriving through referrals, and already winning on demand. Their question wasn’t “How do we get more clients?” – it was “How do we build structure around our growth so it’s sustainable, measurable, and scalable?”

That’s where grants entered the conversation. Not as handouts, but as strategic levers.

Used well, grants can help a business strengthen its foundations: sharpen strategy, improve systems, and invest in capability.

Used poorly, they can just create more admin.

The trick Is knowing which is which – and how to make the funding work for you, not the other way around.

"Ask, and you shall receive"

The above saying is so accurately represented in most grants. If you are driven to grow your business, you need to proactively seek these out.

Example of a Small Business Grant you could consider

If there’s one grant that truly spans WA (and all states) with a clear federal footing, it’s EMDG.

• What it is: Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants supports Australian SMEs in promoting and marketing their goods or services internationally.

• What it covers: Eligible export promotion activities, export training, overseas marketing, and more.

• Tiered funding: Tier 1 (ready to export), Tier 2 (within existing markets), Tier 3 (entering new markets).

• Status: Round 4 is currently closed to new applications.

So, while you can’t apply right now, knowing how EMDG works will prepare you for the next round of funding, especially if you want to target international market growth.

How to Discover the Grants you can access

Because WA state-level grant windows are sporadic, your best bet is to use discovery tools and keep tabs on announcements. If you haven’t already – add these to your bookmarks:

• WA’s Grant’s Assistance & Programs Register – Maintained by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science & Innovation. It lists current state and federal grants relevant to WA industries.

• Business.gov.au Grants Finder – Australia-wide, allows filtering by state, industry, business size, and status.

• Small Business Development Corporation (WA) – this site points to state and local grant opportunities, advisory services, and tools.

These tools are your ongoing references – use them regularly, not just when you “need a grant”.

How to Use these Funding Tools Strategically

1. Start with the gaps in your growth path
   Don’t start with “Which grant? Or “How much can I get?”, Instead, start with “What’s holding me back – systems? Leadership? Reporting?”

2. Map those gaps to grant opportunities
   Then use tools (Grants Register, Business.gov.au) to see what’s open, upcoming, and relevant.

3. Know match/funding structure
   Many grants require co-contribution, reporting, or milestone delivery. Account for that and plan ahead.

4. Build capability, not just cover costs
   Use grants to fund systems, training, analytics, processes – not just subsidise what you’d anyway.

5. Be ready before application windows open
   With EMDG for example – rounds fill fast. Be application-ready early.

Example (WA-forward but Global-minded)

That fashion business I mentioned earlier? Whilst their model doesn’t exactly suit an international expansion, these are some of the possibilities they could open up with a grant.

• Export marketing in target international markets

• Trade show attendance overseas

• Localised advertising or digital campaigns for overseas audiences

• Property strategy or footprint expansion efforts

Because they already had clarity, any grant they dip into doesn’t distract – they can use it to amplify.

Pitfalls to Watch

Let’s get this clear. Grants aren’t free money. It is like having an angel investor, except asking for a stake in the company – all you have to show is a result on how the funds have been utilised to support your business growth. Just like all investors, government grants also carry risk and it is important that you think about how you will navigate the outcome beforehand.

Final Thought: Be Grant-Ready, not Grant-Desperate

Grants are tools – not the engine. When aligned with clarity, they can speed your growth trajectory instead of distracting you.

At M Vision Collective, we consult with WA and interstate clients to map, apply, and deliver government grant-funded projects that align with genuine growth, not a paper chase.

If you want help becoming grant-ready in your industry or expanding your footprint – we are here to help.

Start the conversation now.