If you lead a business in locations across areas like West Torrens, Charles Sturt, Unley, Burnside, Campbelltown or Yankalilla and have never explored government support, you are not alone. Many established companies assume grants and assistance are only for startups or small operators. There are programs designed to help you grow, improve efficiency, expand premises, and develop your workforce.
This article is for CEOs, Managing Directors, COOs, and Heads of People, Culture and Safety who want practical guidance and relevant contacts to make things happen.
Where to Begin
The first step is to decide what you need most. Are you planning a site expansion, improving energy use, recruiting skilled people, or adapting to changing customer needs? Each of these areas has local or state programs that can support your plans.
The South Australian Business Chamber offers general information and member support, and you can often get support by connecting directly with councils, workforce specialists, and training partners.
Business Support and Grants by Council
Many metro businesses operate across council boundaries, so it helps to check each region where you work or plan to grow.
City of West Torrens
The council has a dedicated Business Hub with information on starting, running, or growing a business, upcoming events, and local connections> https://www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/Council/Business-in-West-Torrens
City of Charles Sturt
Charles Sturt supports a strong local economy through business engagement and employment initiatives. You can connect with their team for advice on development approvals, investment opportunities, and business precincts> https://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/business
The council also collaborates with Western Business Leaders, a network for executives interested in industry growth, workforce planning, and supply chains.
City of Unley
Unley’s Your Business Portal gives step-by-step guidance on permits, grants, and support services. The city also partners with ERA Business Advisory to offer free one-on-one sessions> https://yourbusiness.unley.sa.gov.au? And https://www.easternbusinessadvisory.sa.gov.au/
City of Burnside
Burnside provides advice on business development and improvement projects, along with small funding rounds for community and local business initiatives> https://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Planning-Business/Business-in-Burnside
Campbelltown City Council
Campbelltown runs a Small Business Grants Program, generally offered twice a year, to support growth, sustainability, and innovation projects with matched funding up to about $5,000> https://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/community/grants/small-business-grants
District Council of Yankalilla
Businesses in the Fleurieu Peninsula can explore funding and tourism development opportunities or seek advice through the council’s economic development staff> https://www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/business
It’s worth contacting the economic development or business engagement officer at each council, as they often know about small-scale incentives, improvement projects, and upcoming initiatives before they are widely promoted.
State and Federal Grants
South Australia’s broader business programs complement local opportunities.
Powering Business Grants from the South Australian Government support energy-efficient upgrades such as solar panels, batteries, and heating or cooling systems> https://business.sa.gov.au/programs/powering-business-grants
The state’s Small and Family Business Grant Programs include funding for innovation, growth, and digital transformation> https://business.sa.gov.au/programs/grant-programs
Nationally, the Australian Government’s Grant Finder tool lists all available funding programs across industries and regions> https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs
Workforce and Skills Connections
Building and maintaining a capable workforce is critical. If you are expanding, introducing new technology, or diversifying your workforce, these people and organisations can help.
Carmen Garcia AM specialises in recruitment and inclusion for refugees and migrants> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-garcia-am-31b66615/
Nicole Dwyer is CEO of Workskil Australia, a national provider that helps employers connect with job seekers and access wage subsidies and training programs> https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-dwyer-432a182/
Community Bridging Services and Inclusive Employment Australia are part of national efforts to strengthen disability and inclusive employment practices> https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-employment-reforms/development-inclusive-employment-australia
Employer liaison experts Sharon Clarke, Leanne Hill and Rosslyn Ward can assist with local employment programs, and inclusion strategies>
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-clarke-28288a13/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanne-hill-0647445a/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosslynward/
Andrew Williamson works with RTOs and TAFE SA on training partnerships> https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-williamson-22499018/
For state level workforce collaboration, Commissioner Cam Baker is an experienced contact in skills recognition, VET excellence and global partnerships> https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronbaker1/
Skills, Training and Student Placements
Employers can benefit from connecting with training and education providers.
VETASSESS and Trade Skills Australia offer recognition of prior learning and trade qualifications>
https://www.vetassess.com.au/
https://tradeskillsaustralia.com.au/
Jasson Worrall from Uni SA facilitates work-integrated learning and student placement programs> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasson-worrall/
Local schools and technical colleges such as Unley High, Urrbrae Agricultural High, and TAFE SA campuses often welcome collaboration on bakery, food processing, manufacturing, and trade-related industries.
Examples of Local Success
The Yoghurt Shop, led by Brandon Reynolds, continues to expand globally while keeping its production local> https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonnreynolds/
Haigh’s Chocolates remains a South Australian icon known for quality and training in advanced food manufacturing> https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=haighs%20chocolates
These businesses show how combining tradition with innovation, skills development, and a strong brand can anchor success.
Building the Right Relationships
Knowing who to contact makes a difference. Reach out to your council’s mayor, CEO, or economic development manager when exploring new premises or investment opportunities. For workforce or migration pathways, maintain contact with state and federal MPs for your area.
Economic development leaders such as Selma Barlow> https://www.linkedin.com/in/selma-barlow-mba-acecd-2368a866/ and Jing Cao> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jing-cao-55a3a5a/ can also help introduce you to funding partners and development networks.
Action Plan for Business Growth
- Identify your top three business priorities such as workforce, premises, or energy efficiency.
- Research which council and state programs align with these goals.
- Contact your council’s business or economic development officer for local opportunities.
- Meet with training and workforce providers to plan staff development and inclusion pathways.
- Combine funding sources where possible, such as an energy grant with a workforce incentive.
- Track upcoming grant rounds through GrantGuru and Grant Finder tools.
- Document your progress so you can build on successful funding applications.
Next Steps
Switch Start Scale can help your leadership team translate these opportunities into a clear action plan. This may include identifying or applying for grants, preparing a business growth roadmap, connecting with workforce partners via Workforce BluePrint, or securing potential funding for coaching, mentoring + introductions.
To develop an action plan that links your growth priorities with funding, grants and workforce connections, contact Wendy Perry, Founder at Switch Start Scale> https://www.switchstartscale.com.au/contact or email wendy@switchstartscale.com.au, thank you.