The WA Government has allocated $3 million in funding support to help Traditional Owners across the Pilbara explore the potential for participation in clean energy projects on Country.

Funding is open to all Prescribed Bodies Corporate affected by the Pilbara Energy Transition - grants of up to $100,000 are available for advice and support.

Eligible activities include:

• activities that assist Traditional Owners/Prescribed Bodies Corporate to access information and resources to enable better informed negotiations and decision making.
• access to expert or specialised advice on matters directly associated with the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan including: to enable more informed contract negotiations with renewable generation developers; assessment of opportunities as well as preferred sites for renewable generation and transmission infrastructure; renewable energy resource assessments and monitoring; renewable generation feasibility studies; and renewable generation grid-connection studies.

Applications are open until 30 June 2025 or until all funds are fully committed.

Eligible parties

• Applicants must be one of the PBC under the Native Title Act 1993 and/ or incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act) 2006 (a list of the eligible PBC is enclosed at Appendix A.1). 
• Applicants must have a current Australian Business Number, be registered for GST and have an account with an Australian financial institution. 
• Applicants must have rectified, or be in the process of rectifying, any issues of previous noncompliance with existing WA Government funding agreements. 

Ineligible parties

Applicants who are ineligible to proceed to merit criteria assessment: 

• Applicants who are not listed as an eligible PBC at Appendix A.1. 
• Applicants that are insolvent, subject to insolvency proceedings or have declared bankruptcy.

• Phone: 08 6551 4600
• Email: EPWA-AboriginalParticipation@demirs.wa.gov.au