Submit Applications for Whyalla Small Local Business Support Grant Program (Australia)

OneSteel’s business activities include the Whyalla Steelworks, South Australian iron ore mining assets and some related operations.

The Department of State Development (“DSD”), working in collaboration with the Department of Treasury and Finance (“DTF”), will administer the WSLBSG program.

Funding Information

• The available grant amount is $10,000 (excluding GST).
• The grant is a voluntary payment by the State Government to assist parties impacted by the OneSteel administration. The grant amount is not provided on behalf of, at the request of, or in collaboration or cooperation with OneSteel or its administrators.
• Only one application for a grant can be submitted per Australian Business Number (ABN).

How funding may be used?

• Grants are provided to support eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Whyalla that have experienced a reduction in revenue as a result of the decline in recent activity at OneSteel and its related businesses.
• This may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
  • meeting standing business costs, including utilities, salaries and rent;
  • seeking financial advice to support the recovery of the business;
  • adjusting the business to be viable in the changed local context;
  • developing the business and extending business reach through marketing and communications activities; and
  • retaining, staying connected to, and supporting existing employees.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the grant, the applicant must:
  • be a legal entity established in Australia (a sole trader, company, partnership or corporate trustee of a trust). Incorporated entities must be incorporated in Australia;
  • be a South Australian Business that is conducting business operations and have their principal place of business registered at a premises within the City of Whyalla as at 1 February 2025;
  • hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) as at 1 February 2025
  • be registered for Goods and Services Tax (“GST”). Not-for-profit organisations that are not registered for GST will need to provide their most recent lodged tax return confirming annual turnover was greater than $75 000;
  • have an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2023-24 [note the information you provide with your application will be verified against information held by Revenue SA];
  • demonstrate a decline in revenue of twenty percent (20% ) or more in any consecutive three (3)-month period within the nine (9) months prior to 19 February 2025, compared to the same three (3)-month period in the year prior (the ‘comparative period’)
    • Businesses that have been operating for less than fifteen (15) months must demonstrate that revenue has declined over another period of operation, not less than 2 months, by twenty percent (20%) or more, to the satisfaction of the Treasurer, or their delegate. Evidence could include average monthly trading activity, comparisons against projections, volumes of products produced/sold
  • demonstrate minimum revenue of $15,000 in the three (3) month comparative period.
    • Businesses that have been operating for less than 15 months must demonstrate that revenue would have been at least $15,000 across a three (3)-month period since commencing/taking over operations.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following organisations are not eligible for assistance:
  • GFG entities (defined below)
  • Public companies within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (except for not‑for‑profit organisations that are established as a public corporation, limited by guarantee)
  • Tax-exempt entities (except for registered charities that are income-tax exempt)
  • Local Government and Councils
  • Local Government Associations
  • Industry Associations
  • State or Federal Government agencies.

For more information, visit DSD.