In a bid to foster innovation and help regional and remote businesses, the 2023 Innovate with nbn Grants program is open for grant applications. 

Partnering with the Regional Australia Institute, $125,000 is available to businesses who use the nbn network to develop products or solutions that improve digital participation, productivity or social outcomes for regional and remote Australians. 

This is the fourth year the program has been running. 

Last year there were four WA winners:

• Health – Connect Paediatric Therapy Services, Karratha  
• Arts – Radio Margaret River, Margaret River  
• Tourism – Busselton Jetty, Busselton  
• Indigenous Business – The Cultural Intelligence Project, Cable Beach  

Nurturing innovation in regional Australia 

Eligible regional Australian businesses are encouraged to apply for one of the seven categories available: 

• Health 
• Agriculture 
• Tourism 
• Arts 
• Education 
• Indigenous Business 
• Women in Business 

These categories have been designed to encompass a wide range of industries, showcasing the diversity and potential of regional businesses across Australia. 

The successful applicant from each category will be awarded a $15,000 grant. Each category winner will contend for the overall winner prize, which comes with an additional $20,000. 

Last year, the Federal Government committed $2.4 billion to expand full-fibre nbn access to 1.5 million premises – including more than 660,000 in regional areas. 

“These grants have helped regional innovators across the country take their projects to the next level and enabled businesses to reach new customers and boost their efficiency,” says the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Federal Communications Minister.

Potential for positive change 

Gavin Williams, nbn’s Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote, says the grants will support innovators and entrepreneurs to deliver game-changing projects that enhance the digital capabilities of communities and businesses. 

“The depth of innovative ideas and talent from our entries improves year-on-year,” he says. 

Williams says the success stories of past winners exemplify how the grants have helped bring innovative ideas to life and assist business expansion. 

Applications for the Innovate with nbn Grants program will remain open until 29 September. Successful applicants will be announced late November 2023. 

CCIWA Members can access Grant Finder, a portal that enables you to easily search for grants applicable to your project and industry. There are funding opportunities of various amounts, suiting smaller businesses to large companies and projects – with amounts ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Become a CCIWA Member today and get access to exclusive information designed to help you do business better. Find out more here.