Seven Western Australian small and medium enterprises – SMEs have been awarded substantial funding via the AUKUS SME Readiness Fund, with local industry set to grow capacity, enhance level of competitiveness and explore high-value possibilities within AUKUS supply chains.
The recipients of the successful grant funding are FSC Civils, Matrix Composites and Engineering, Terral 5 Technologies, Mig-Co Engineering, Murlaw, and Kanyana Engineering as well as Rollwell Engineering. The businesses demonstrate a cross section of Western Australia’s defence sector and have shown strong capacity and preparedness to participate in AUKUS supply chains.
The funding will enable them to improve their technical competence, capacity and qualifications to compete in Australian and United States as well as United Kingdom defence markets. This involves new possibilities relating to the industrial base that supports Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise alongside that of AUKUS partners.
The 2025 grant round was issued by means of the $2 million AUKUS SME Readiness Fund, a four-year program providing matching grants of a maximum of $100,000 to help WA SMEs make investments in the skills, systems, and procedures required to improve their ability along with a competitive edge in AUKUS supply chains.
The first round drew 36 applications from all over the state, with both the number and quality of submissions surpassing the available funding, showing the power, scope, and increasing level of competition of the SME defence sector of WA.
The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund is being developed under the Made in WA Plan to increase the durability and competitive advantages of the state’s defence industrial base and grow the pool of WA businesses that can take advantage of AUKUS Pillar I as well as Pillar II opportunities.
Comments related to Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia –
“Western Australia has the capability, the expertise, and the industrial base to play a major role in supporting AUKUS, and these businesses are proof of that.
“We’re seeing more WA companies step up and position themselves to compete for work tied to one of the most significant defence and industrial undertakings in decades.
“These grants will help local SMEs build the systems, skills and credentials they need to break into highly competitive US and UK defence supply chains and secure long-term opportunities.
“This is about growing sovereign capability here in Western Australia, backing local industry, and creating skilled jobs for the future.
“Through our Made in WA Plan, we are ensuring WA businesses are well placed to benefit from the opportunities AUKUS will deliver over the long term.”
