Access Asia Business Grants

• Your proposed project is targeting a new Asian market(s) for your export and trade activities

OR

• Your proposed project is introducing a new product or service into Asian market(s) where the business/organisation already has a market presence.
• Your proposed project is in at least one of the eight priority sectors outlined in the State’s economic development framework Diversify WA.
• Your business/organisation is:
  1. a SME that employs fewer than 200 people, or
  2. a not-for-profit group/industry association/business council that employs fewer than 200 people and is a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation recognised by the Department, or
  3. a subsidiary that employs fewer than 200 people.
  4. Your business/organisation has been registered and headquartered in Western Australia for at least 24 months.
• Your business/organisation holds at least one of the following:.
  1. a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
  2. a current Australian Company Number (ACN)
  3. A valid Certificate of Incorporation.
• Your business/organisation has had operations in Western Australia for at least 24 months.
• Your business/organisation is a legally solvent entity.
• Your business/organisation is willing, and has the financial capacity, to contribute at least 20% of the project’s eligible funding costs.
• Your business/organisation confirms that it will utilise the AABG funds (if successful) only on eligible non-capital expenditure items as outlined below.
• Your business/organisation confirms that its service provider(s) is an independent third party i.e. has no financial and direct ties with your business/organisation. (For projects that include contracting a service
  provider(s)).
• Your business/organisation confirms that the proposed eligible expenditure is for services to be provided in the future.
• Your business/organisation has NOT previously received nor is likely to receive other Western Australian State Government funding for the same project/initiative.
• Your business/organisation has NOT previously received AABG funding for the same project/initiative.
• The proposed project/initiative has not been previously funded under the AABG program.
• Declare any funding received or likely to be received from Commonwealth or other State/Territory Government agencies for the same project/initiative.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible applicants.

Eligible expenditure includes:

• Marketing expenses
• Business and strategic planning, and research that supports in-market business entry into Asia.
• Specialist services including developing new partnerships, business models or export plans; scoping new supply or value chains, e- commerce models and/or digital platforms; and gathering market intelligence to capture new opportunities
• Participating in a trade event or visit in- market, or hosting a business meeting/product showcase in-market
• Commissioning of Asia in-market research

Work on the project will commence on or after the execution of the FAA.

*Eligible expenditure on flights and accommodation:

• Maximum 2x return economy airfares, limited to people specifically working on the proposed project.
• Maximum 5 nights of accommodation, capped at $250 per night, per person, for up to two people, limited to people specifically working on the proposed project.

The following are NOT eligible expenditure items:

• Retrospective payments or expenditure incurred prior to the execution of a FAA.
• Ongoing costs incurred i.e. general business/operational/planning activities that are day-to-day requirements of a business, such as:
  1. Staffing or salaries.
  2. Administration, reporting, auditing and/or acquittal costs of the grant.
  3. Sales activities
• Non-Asian market-related business.
• Training or professional development courses.
• Hardware and software packages (for standard business purposes).
• Design and production of unrelated or ongoing project marketing or promotional materials or events.
• Standard Website and social media development or blogs.
• Operational overheads such as maintenance and upkeep of facilities (rent, utilities, telephone, insurance).
• Sponsorship payments towards conferences/forums/events.
• Costs of hosting promotional breakfasts, lunches or dinners.
• All costs associated with travel within Western Australia.
• Import duties, insurance, consumption tax and any other forms of tax and fees associated with sending samples to Asian market(s).
• Stock used as samples.
• Activities that are commercially viable in their own right.
• Capital expenditure or investment in real estate, property or purchase of property or equipment.
• Costs associated with setting up an office in an Asian market, including legal and government fees, staffing or salaries.
• Costs of registering patents or intellectual property, trademark registration costs.
• Seed funding.
• Transport and accommodation expenses (except items expressly listed as eligible).
• Meal expenses.
• In-kind contributions are not eligible for co-contribution. It must be a cash cocontribution.
• Retrospective funding (i.e. reimbursing work that has already occurred and/or costs that have already been incurred prior to the execution of the FAA) is not permitted.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.

1. Key outcomes for the State

• increased trade and investment with Asia leading to job creation and economic diversification
• new partnerships building investor confidence
• attracts investment in innovative technologies

2. Asian Engagement Strategy high-level objectives

• increased trade and investment, delivering job creation and economic growth
• diversify the economy through development of priority sectors
• develop an Asia-engaged workforce through capacity building and relationships

3. Level of impact

• demonstrated business growth in Asia
• economic diversification and job creation in WA

See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• a viable project that will help generate strategic net economic benefit for WA, contribute to job creation and the diversification of the WA economy, and support business growth into Asia
• achievable outcomes that represent value for money
• the necessary expertise, skills and resources to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline

How to make your application competitive:

• Application is clear and concise.
• Clear project plans must address targets, actions, outcomes, and objectives.
• Project approach makes it likely to succeed, e.g., it is targeted, thoughtful and wellstructured (effectiveness).
• Project will be achieved within the set time frame.
• Explain and demonstrate that the project will help generate strategic net economic benefit for Western Australia; contribute to the diversification of the Western Australian economy and increase in jobs for Western Australians; and support business growth into Asia

Applicants must ensure that they have attached all the supporting documentation and detail:

• Certificate of Incorporation or ABN document or ACN document.
• Evidence that you have been operating in Western Australia for at least 24 months
• Financial or annual report
• Overview of organisation/team structure
• Overview of group structure and funding arrangements with group members (Applicable if applicant is a subsidiary)
• Supporting document to reflect your business type if not evident in any of the documents that you have attached.
• Project Budget Plan (as per the template provided).
• Written quotations or estimate of costs for all proposed expenditure items.
• For projects that involve third party contracting service provider(s): Written quotations and a declaration from the service provider(s) that it is an independent third party and has no financial ties and direct relationship with the applicant. The quotation must include the service provider’s name, contact person, contact details, ABN/ACN if applicable, a ‘valid until or valid before’ date, and detailed description of the service to be provided, including key activities and milestone dates.
• For projects that involve overseas travel/accommodation: Quotations and details must be provided, in line with the eligible expenditure requirements for travel/accommodation as described above.
• Other relevant documents in support of the proposed project

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted via the accessasia.grantplatform.com

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.

Since its inception in 2019, the program has awarded more than $1.4 million to 80 WA-based small and medium-sized enterprises and organisations to assist them in gaining access to new Asian markets. The full list of successful recipients and their projects can be found here.