Business Development Support Grant Program

BDSG is the City’s Business Development Support Grant Program. It supports organisations delivering activities that improve local business conditions and contribute to the capability, resilience, growth and diversification of Karratha businesses. 

BDSG aims to:

• address identified business or industry needs;
• improve the capability and resilience of local businesses;
• support collaboration and business development;
• generate measurable economic benefits within the City; and
• support the Council Plan 2025 to 2035 and Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025 to 2035.

Eligible Applicants may include:

• properly constituted not for profit organisations;
• industry and business associations;
• chambers of commerce and similar business support organisations;
• collaborative partnerships sponsored by an incorporated organisation; and
• for profit organisations where the funded activity is not expected to generate a profit in the short term and provides broader benefits to the local business community.

BDSG is not intended to fund the ordinary activities, operating costs or individual growth needs of a single business.

A business may be eligible where it is delivering a broader business support activity that benefits multiple local businesses and meets all program requirements.

Businesses seeking support for their own digital capability or online marketing should review the Take Your Business Online Grant Program.

Applicants should be involved in delivering business support or economic development activities such as:

• business advice and mentoring;
• business training and capability development;networking and industry collaboration;
• advocacy;
• business research and information;
• conferences, forums, seminars and workshops; or
• other initiatives that support the broader local business community.

Matched funding is the Applicant’s required financial contribution to the approved activity.

For every dollar requested from the City under the Grant category, the Applicant must contribute at least one dollar towards the eligible project costs.

For example, an Applicant requesting $20,000 must contribute at least $20,000 towards the approved activity.

Can contributions from other organisations count as matched funding?

Financial contributions from the Applicant, project partners or other funding sources may be considered as matched funding where they are confirmed, relate directly to the approved activity and are clearly identified in the project budget.

The City may request evidence confirming these contributions. 

Unless otherwise approved by the City, matched funding should be provided as a financial contribution.

Applicants should identify all In-kind contributions separately in the project budget and discuss their proposed treatment with the City before applying. 

A Grant provides financial assistance for an approved activity that contributes to the City’s strategic objectives.

Sponsorship is an arrangement where the City provides financial or In-kind Support in return for negotiated and specified benefits or outcomes.

Sponsorship benefits may include recognition, branding, speaking opportunities, event participation, access to business networks, research findings or other agreed benefits. 

Applications may be submitted throughout the year, subject to the availability of funding.

Applicants should allow approximately four to six months from the initial discussion to execution of the Funding Agreement.

The time required will depend on the completeness, value, complexity and risk of the application and relevant Council meeting dates. 

Yes. Applicants should discuss their proposal with the City before preparing a complete application.

The City can provide guidance on eligibility, the appropriate funding category, matched funding, application timing and supporting information. 

Eligible activities may include:

• business advisory and mentoring services;
• business capability and resilience programs;
• business networking and advocacy;
• training and workshops;
• expos, conferences, forums, briefings and seminars;
• business bootcamps;
• business research and surveys;
• business and industry information resources;
• industry development and collaboration initiatives;
• business awards and recognition programs; and
• projects that support local business growth or diversification.

Other activities may be considered where they clearly meet the program objectives and eligibility requirements. 

Yes. Business events such as conferences, forums, briefings, seminars, expos and workshops may be eligible where they respond to an identified need and deliver measurable benefits for local businesses and the City’s economy. 

Business awards and recognition programs may be considered where they contribute to the program objectives and demonstrate demand, strategic alignment, economic development benefits and value for money.

Business or industry research may be considered where it addresses an identified information gap, supports economic development decision making and provides practical benefits for local businesses or industries.

The application should explain how the findings will be used and shared. 

An ongoing program may be considered where the application clearly identifies the activities, deliverables, annual costs, expected outcomes and performance measures.

Funding is not guaranteed beyond the term approved by Council. 

Funding may be approved for a single term or for up to three financial years.

Multi year funding is subject to:

• annual evaluation;
• satisfactory performance;
• compliance with the Funding Agreement;
• available budget; and
• Council approval. 

BDSG will not fund:

• ordinary business operating costs;
• staff wages associated with normal operations;
• rent, utilities, consumables or recurring operational expenses;
• activities that do not meet the BDSG objectives or eligibility requirements;
• activities for which another government body has primary responsibility;
• activities that have already commenced or been completed;
• activities that contravene City policies or local laws;
• activities that present an unacceptable health or safety risk;
• activities already funded through another City program during the current financial year;
• deficit funding;
• incomplete applications;
• Applicants that have not fulfilled previous City funding obligations; or
• Applicants with outstanding debts or overdue Acquittals. 

BDSG will not fund wages associated with the Applicant’s ordinary operations.

Project specific staffing costs may only be considered where they are directly attributable to delivering the approved activity, clearly identified in the application and approved by the City. 

Deficit funding is a request for the City to cover a financial loss or budget shortfall after an activity has been delivered or committed.

BDSG does not provide deficit funding. 

No. BDSG does not provide retrospective funding for activities that have already commenced or been completed.

Applicants must not commence the proposed activity or make financial commitments in anticipation of receiving funding. 

The application will generally need to include:

• information about the Applicant and its delivery experience;
• a description of the proposed activity;
• evidence of demand or need;
• proposed dates and key milestones;
• the amount and category of funding requested;
• a detailed income and expenditure budget;
• confirmed and proposed funding from other sources;
• evidence of matched funding where applicable;
• a project plan;
• expected business and economic benefits;
• proposed performance measures;
• evidence of strategic alignment;
• an explanation of value for money;
• risk management information;
• insurance, permits, licences and approvals; and
• information addressing each assessment criterion.

The information required will be proportionate to the value, complexity and risk of the funding request. 

Applicants may provide:

• feedback from local businesses;
• business or participant surveys;
• industry data or research;
• letters of support;
• previous attendance or participation figures;
• evidence of a service or information gap;
• consultation findings; or
• other information showing that local businesses require or will use the proposed activity. 

Applicants should explain how the proposed activity will benefit local businesses and the City’s economy.

Benefits may include:

• improved business capability or productivity;
• increased business resilience;
• new business or market opportunities;
• stronger local supply chains;
• increased local procurement;
• business growth or diversification;
• employment or workforce outcomes;
• increased collaboration; or
• improved access to business information and support.

The application should explain how these outcomes will be measured.

Value for money considers whether the expected benefits justify the amount requested from the City.

The City will consider:

• the reasonableness of project costs;
• funding and contributions from other sources;
• the extent to which City funding is leveraged;
• the number and type of businesses expected to benefit;
• the Applicant’s capacity to deliver;
• the quality and sustainability of the proposed outcomes; and
• the potential to support further economic development activity.

The Recipient must maintain insurance appropriate to the nature and risk of the approved activity.

The City may request evidence of public liability, professional indemnity, workers compensation or other relevant insurance before funding is released. 

Applicants should:

• Read the BDSG Funding Guideline.
• Contact the City to discuss the proposed activity.
• Confirm that the Applicant and activity meet the eligibility requirements.
• Prepare the project plan, budget, evidence of demand and supporting documents.
• Complete and submit the approved BDSG application form.
• Respond promptly to requests for clarification or further information. 

The City will:

• review the application for eligibility, completeness and compliance;
• request clarification or further information where required;
• assess compliant applications against the approved criteria;
• prepare a funding recommendation and Council report;
• complete the internal review and Executive Leadership Team process; and
• present the application and recommendation to Council for determination. 

An incomplete application may be returned or determined ineligible.

It will not proceed to assessment unless all mandatory requirements are satisfied. 

Strategic Alignment considers how the proposed activity:

• supports the Council Plan 2025 to 2035;
• supports the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2025 to 2035;
• contributes to the City’s economic development objectives; and
• benefits the local business community. 

Following assessment and internal review, the application and recommendation are considered by the Executive Leadership Team before being presented to Council.

Council determines all BDSG applications. 

Yes. Applicants will be notified in writing after Council has determined the application. 

No. Council’s decision is final and not subject to appeal. 

A successful Applicant must enter into a written Funding Agreement with the City before commencing the approved activity or receiving funding or support.

The Funding Agreement will specify:

• the approved purpose and activities;
• the funding amount;
• matched funding requirements;
• Recipient responsibilities;
• deliverables and expected outcomes;
• payment conditions;
• delivery timeframes;
• acknowledgement or Sponsorship requirements; and
• Acquittal obligations. 

Payment arrangements will be specified in the Funding Agreement.

The Recipient must provide a valid tax invoice and any required supporting evidence. Payment processing may take up to 30 days after the City receives all required documentation.

Funding is calculated on eligible project costs excluding GST.

Applicants that are not registered for GST may be required to complete an Australian Taxation Office declaration before receiving funding. 

Yes. The City may publish information about successful Applicants and approved funding on its website in accordance with applicable requirements. 

Acknowledgement requirements will be specified in the Funding Agreement and may include:

• displaying the City logo;
• recognising the City in public communications;
• participating in joint media or promotional activities;
• providing photographs of completed activities; or
• delivering negotiated Sponsorship benefits.
• The City must approve the use of its name, logo or branding. 

A Recipient must obtain the City’s written approval before changing:

• the approved activity;
• expenditure or budget allocations;
• deliverables or expected outcomes;
• delivery dates or timeframes; or
• agreed Sponsorship benefits.

The change must not be implemented until written approval has been received. 

A Recipient may submit a written extension request explaining the reason for the delay and the proposed revised completion date.

Extensions will generally only be considered where circumstances are beyond the Recipient’s control and the overall intent of the approved activity remains unchanged.

Approval is not guaranteed. 

An Acquittal is the final report showing that:

• the approved activity was delivered;
• City funding was used for the approved purpose;
• the required matched funding was provided;
• the expected outcomes were achieved; and
• the Funding Agreement requirements were met. 

The Acquittal and supporting documentation must be submitted within 60 days of completing the approved activity unless another timeframe has been approved by the City and recorded in the Funding Agreement. 

The Acquittal may require:

• actual project income and expenditure;
• evidence of expenditure and payment;
• evidence of the Applicant’s matched contribution;
• the number and type of businesses or participants supported;
• business development and economic outcomes;
• performance results;
• evidence of City acknowledgement;
• evidence of agreed Sponsorship benefits; and
• photographs or other evidence of delivery.

The reporting required will be proportionate to the value and nature of the funding. 

Unspent funds must be returned to the City within 60 days of completing the approved activity unless a written variation has been approved. 

Failure to complete a satisfactory Acquittal may result in:

• repayment of some or all funding;
• withdrawal or forfeiture of unpaid funding;
• the amount becoming a debt to the City;
• ineligibility for future City funding; or
• other action available under the Funding Agreement. 

Telephone the City on 08 9186 8555 or email enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au.

Applicants should read the BDSG Funding Guideline before applying. 

BDSG provides grants of up to $30,000 for business events or initiatives, with applicants required to provide dollar-for-dollar matched funding.

Sponsorship of up to $20,000 is also available. Matched funding is not mandatory for sponsorship, but applicants must provide negotiated benefits or outcomes to the City.

The City may approve full, partial or no funding, subject to the available budget, the strength of the application and Council approval.