Deadline: 15-December-2025
The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund presents an important opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Australia to strengthen their capacity and capability to participate in the AUKUS supply chain.
Administered by Defence West within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, this competitive grant program aims to help local businesses position themselves for success in delivering high-value products and services aligned with AUKUS objectives.
The program will run across four grant rounds beginning in the 2025–26 financial year and concluding in 2028–29. Its central goal is to provide targeted financial support that enables Western Australian SMEs to develop the skills, infrastructure, and systems required to compete for work within AUKUS Pillars 1 and 2. Under Pillar 1, funding may support enterprises involved in the manufacture or sustainment of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines in Australia, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Under Pillar 2, eligible projects may relate to priority defence technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum systems, electronic warfare, advanced cyber capabilities, or undersea technologies.
Successful applicants can receive up to $100,000 in funding, excluding GST, for projects that enhance their readiness to engage in the AUKUS supply chain. The grant will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible expenditure, meaning applicants seeking the full amount must demonstrate a minimum project investment of $200,000, excluding GST. This co-investment approach ensures that participating SMEs are fully engaged in building sustainable, long-term capabilities that contribute to national defence priorities.
To be eligible, applicants must be for-profit businesses that have been operating for at least two years, including at least one year in Western Australia. They must also employ fewer than 200 people, be registered for GST for at least 12 months prior to applying, hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN), and have their principal place of business located in Western Australia. Eligible companies must also commit to remaining based in the state for at least 12 months following their application.
This fund offers Western Australian SMEs a strategic opportunity to elevate their technical capabilities, engage in the growing defence and advanced manufacturing sectors, and become integral contributors to the AUKUS alliance’s long-term industrial and technological objectives.
For more information, visit Government of Western Australia.
