Innovation Booster Grant

From Concept to Commercialisation

In the early stages of launching a new product, software, or invention, the technical barriers can feel insurmountable. Building a minimum viable product (MVP), securing global patents, conducting complex laboratory testing, or engineering advanced prototypes requires specialised, expensive expertise that most early-stage innovators simply don’t have in-house.

The WA Government’s Innovation Booster Grant (IBG) is designed to solve this exact problem, providing up to $50,000 in matched funding to help you access the elite professional skills needed to commercialise your ideas.

IBG Eligible Project Streams

The IBG is strictly designed to fund the procurement of external professional services. We ensure your project scope fits flawlessly into one of the four approved spending categories:

  • Research & Development:
    Engage universities, research institutes, or specialised engineering firms to conduct technical validation, scientific testing, or core product development.

  • Product Design & Prototyping:
    Fund the physical or digital creation of your innovation, including advanced 3D modeling, UI/UX design, software architecture drafting, and MVP development.

  • IP Protection & Commercialisation:
    Secure the commercial rights to your technology by funding global patent filing strategies, advanced trademarking, and expert legal structuring for market entry.

  • Regulatory Compliance & Access:
    Overcome strict industry gatekeepers by using funding to clear complex regulatory hurdles, safety certifications, and international standards compliance.

If eligible, businesses can claim a percentage of their qualifying R&D expenditure through their company tax return.

Investment Breakdown of the IBG Program

The Innovation Booster Grant operates on a co-contribution model. The government matches your investment, but you must have your internal funding portion secured and ready to deploy upon approval.

Maximum Grant Amount
Up to $50,000

Co-Contribution Ratio
80:20 (For every $4 the grant provides, you must provide at least $1)

Minimum Cash Contribution
At least 20% of the total project budget must be funded by you in cash

Project Delivery Window
All funded activities must be fully completed within 12 months

Your Innovation Eligible for the Booster Grant

The Local Footprint

Your business must be a registered, for-profit entity primarily operating out of Western Australia, with an active ABN and GST registration.

Company Size & Scale

The program is built for genuine startups and SMEs; your business must employ fewer than 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

The “New Project” Rule

The funding must be used for a completely new, innovative project or a significant, highly complex upgrade to an existing proprietary technology.

Exclusions

Funding cannot be used for internal staff wages, standard day-to-day operational accounting/legal work, general marketing campaigns, or purchasing off-the-shelf software or hardware.

Frequently Asked IBG Questions

Unlike traditional 50/50 grants, the IBG offers a highly favorable ratio for startups. For example, if your total project costs $62,500, the grant can cover up to $50,000 (80%), leaving your business to contribute just $12,500 (20%) in cash. You must be able to prove you have this 20% available in your bank account when you apply.

No. The core purpose of the IBG is to help your business hire external expertise that you do not currently possess. All grant funds must be paid directly to a registered, independent third-party provider or consultant who has provided an itemized commercial quote for the project

To score highly, your project must feature an element of genuine novelty. It should solve a problem in a completely new way, create a significant competitive advantage, or introduce a technology that does not currently exist in the WA market. Standard business upgrades or duplicating an existing competitor’s model will not qualify.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s R&D Tax Incentive remains one of the country’s most valuable innovation support programs. Whether through a cash refund or a tax credit, the incentive is designed to fuel cash flow, support investment, and drive long-term growth.

If your company is developing new technology, improving products, or solving complex technical challenges, it is worth reviewing your activities to ensure you are capturing the full benefits available to you.