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WM Consulting is located on Level 1, 172 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000.

WM Consulting specialises in advising and providing hands-on accounting services to small and medium

businesses, and has chosen its location specifically to provide this service to clients based in the heart of the Perth

central business district.

Facilities offered by WM Consulting range from basic accounting services through to top tier accounting, taxation

and management advice.

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Government Grants

There are a wide range of grants available from both the state and federal level ofgovernment. We have included a list of a range of them below.

Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET)Who for? Early stage companies less than five years old who have innovation withcommercial potential.What for? Strategic planning and advice, intellectual property advice, marketresearch, prototypes.How much? Up to $120,000. COMET involves a two tier funding system, with

customers able to claim $64,000 in tier one (at a rate of 80% of eligible expenditure)and $54,000 under two tier (at a rate of 50% of eligible expenditure).When does it close? Ongoing.We say: With the collapse of Commercial Ready, COMET is the big grant for SMEson the cutting edge of technology. There is big dollars on offer through the program,but be aware that the application process is long and arduous. You will need to workwith a COMET business adviser and will be required to pay a set success fee for anycapital raising assisted by the business adviser.

Export Market Development GrantsWho for? Exporters that have revenue under $30 million a year and have spent$15,000 over two years on eligible export marketing expenses.What for? To help with the cost of marketing expenses such as travel, marketingconsultants, communications, free samples, trade fairs and overseas representatives.How much? Up to $200,000. The grant reimburses up to 50% of expenses incurred oneligible export promotion activities, above a $15,000 threshold.When does it close? Applications for the 2007-08 grant year opened on 1 July 2008and close 30 June 2009.We say: The most popular export grant that has been used by countless companies tostart their push into overseas markets. Again, youll probably need to use a consultantwho specialises in securing this grant, but you can wade through the paperwork

yourself. The maximum amount payable under this grant dropped recently but shouldrise again next year thanks to a funding injection from the Rudd Government.

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R&D tax concessionWho for? Pretty much anyone there is something for big companies, small companiesand even foreign-owned companies.What for? To encourage R&D in Australia.How much? Most companies can claim a deduction from assessable income of up to125% of eligible R&D expenditure on corporate tax paid. Companies that increasetheir R&D spending over three years (subject to certain criteria) can claim an extraconcession, called the R&D Incremental (175% premium) Tax Concession.When does it close? Ongoing.

We say: This is the Federal Governments big weapon in the fight to encourage R&Dand it is very popular with companies big and small. The types of companies that canapply for the concession is wide and there is a range of expenses considered eligibleunder the program. Given this is a tax concession, you will have to face the extracomplication of dealing with the tax office, but most good accountants will be able togive you a hand.

Farm businesses professional advice and planning grantsWho for? Farm businesses affected by the drought.What for? To access professional advice to assist their drought management andrecovery processes.

How much? $5500When does it close? 12 June 2009

Farm businesses exceptional circumstances exit package 2007Who for? Farmers in drought declared areasWhat for? To help these farmers sell their land and exit agriculture.How much? Up to $150,000When does it close? 30 June 2009

Australian apprenticeshipsWho for? Employers who hire an apprentice.What for? To reduce training costs.How much? Up to $5000 for certain occupations identified as needing skilledworkers.When does it close? Ongoing.

Automotive competitiveness and investment schemeWho for? Automotive companies that produce over $500,000 of automotive productsannually.What for? To encourage innovation and investment in the automotive sector.How much? In most instances, companies will be able to claim 25% of the value of

new investment in plant and equipment; and 45% of the value of investment in R&Din the form of input duty credits.

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When does it close? Ongoing until 2015.

Enhanced Project By-law SchemeWho for? Companies involved in significant projects in the mining, resourceprocessing, agriculture, food processing, food packaging, manufacturing, gas supply,power supply and water supply industries.What for? Eligible goods not made in Australia or technologically superior to thosemade in Australia, to be imported duty free, such as equipment or stainless steelmaterials.How much? Uncapped, but eligible projects must have total project expenditure on

capital goods of $10 million or greater.When does it close? Ongoing.

Business Enterprise CentresWho for? Small businessesWhat for? Business advice, planning, benchmarking etc.How much? The BECs provide low-cost planning and advisory servicesWhen does it close? On going

Enterprise ConnectWho for? SMEs of all types can apply, although there are specific centres dedicated to

manufacturing, clean energy and mining.What for? Business reviews, mentoring and assistance in accessing governmentprograms.How much? The Enterprise Connect centres provide low-cost advisory services.When does it close? On going.

Ethanol production grantsWho for? Australian ethanol producers making ethanol from biomass feedstock,which is to be used in, or as, a transport fuel in Australia.What for? To encourage use of biofuels.How much? 38.143 cents per litre produced.When does it close? Ongoing.

New Export Development ProgramWho for? Australian companies who have not exported more than three times in thelast three years, or have not achieved exports with a cumulative value of more than$200,000 in the last three years.What for? To assist SMEs to find and prepare for export opportunities.How much? Twenty hours of assistance at no charge delivered through Austradesoverseas network in a maximum of two markets, plus coaching and assistanceselecting export markets.

When does it close? Ongoing.

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What for? To encourage and assist indigenous people to start and grow theircompanies.How much? N/AWhen does it close? Ongoing.

Investment ReadyWho for? West Australian firms in the process of commercialising a new product orservice in the information and communications technology, biotechnology, marine,defence, and renewable energy sectors.What for? Participants receive a skills diagnosis followed by training in identified

areas of need including strategic management, IP management, risk management andobtaining finance.How much? This primarily provides in-kind support in the form of training, butfinancial assistance is also available for travel to conferences, trade shows and otherbusiness purposes.When does it close? The next round of applications for the program will open soon.We say: An innovation focused program that is available to both start-ups and moreestablished businesses. Support for travel is particularly valuable for businesses inWestern Australia.

Small Business Smart Business

Who for? The owner or employee of any West Australian small business with fewerthan 20 staff.What for? Any form of training that will help improve the productivity of a smallbusiness including management skills, financial planning, OH&S, e-businesses, debtcollection and more.How much? A grant of up to $200 with matching funding of $100 from the smallbusiness.When does it close? Ongoing.We say: This scheme may only provide a small amount of funding, but its flexibilityand non-competitive structure make it a quick and accessible source of trainingsupport for small businesses.

Innovation to Market:Provides advice to business to help them assess the market prospects of research orideas and provides funding to hire consultants to provide advice on how to take theidea to market.

Renewable remote power generation program:Provides rebates for business enterprises in off-grid areas of WA to install renewableenergy power systems to replace diesel generation.

Regional industry assistance:

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Financial support for the development of competitive and sustainable industry, andfacilitate industry attraction in regional Western Australia.

South West Regional Development Scheme:Grants up to $150,000 to back businesses or other organisations to carry out projectsthat will create jobs in and be of economic benefit to the south west of WesternAustralia.

Indigenous Economic Support Scheme:Assistance in the form of money or services to qualifying indigenous commercial

enterprises including planning and development or business management training.

(Sourced from www.smartcompany.com.au on 24/11/2008)

If you would like assistance in applying for any of these grants, please do not

hesitate to give Michael McAullay a call on (08) 9322 9950.