Western Australia’s food and beverage operators are being given another chance to tap into expert advice with the return of a popular voucher scheme, now in its seventh round. The Cook Government has opened applications for its Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program, offering a total of $700,000 in funding to help local businesses sharpen their planning, sales strategies, and sustainability efforts.
Small and medium-sized enterprises across the state can apply for vouchers of up to $10,000, aimed at supporting professional development across five key categories: business planning, manufacturing for growth, sales and marketing, financial health, and environmental sustainability.
The vouchers are not handouts—they are designed to co-fund targeted consultancy and advice, giving operators the tools to grow while contributing their share. Since its inception in 2018, the program has distributed $2.4 million in vouchers and drawn in $3.4 million from participating businesses through co-investment. More than 430 producers have used the funding to gain insights and improve everything from branding to production methods.
The scope is wide. Previous recipients span the full pantry—meat, seafood, olives, pasta, honey, beer, wine, spirits, health food, and more. It’s a cross-section of what makes WA’s food scene quietly dynamic.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis says the program is doing more than improving balance sheets. “The Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program has a great track record for helping WA businesses to take the next steps in their operations and to realise their business goals,” she said.
Jarvis pointed out that the program is also about keeping more value creation local. “Importantly, the program promotes value-adding of our State’s great agricultural produce and supports our local food and beverage sector so more WA products can be made in WA.”
It’s a subtle but important distinction: rather than simply exporting raw materials, the focus is on encouraging small producers to build brands, processes, and distribution channels that stay embedded in the state’s economy. In some cases, this means upskilling in marketing or accessing help to design scalable manufacturing. In others, it may be about reviewing finances, trimming inefficiencies, or even improving sustainability practices.
“These vouchers will help businesses to overcome challenges, reduce risks, improve green credentials and capture opportunities—creating lasting benefits to local communities and economies,” Jarvis said.
Applications close on 26 August at 5pm. Operators keen to apply can visit www.dpird.wa.gov.au/AFBvoucherprogram to review eligibility and start the process.
While $700,000 may not sound like a lot in the context of WA’s entire food and beverage industry, the scheme’s design—targeting consultancy-style support—means the value comes through capability building. The cost to government is relatively modest, but the ripple effects through regional communities, local supply chains, and consumer trust are real.
And with Australia’s food sector navigating everything from export market fluctuations to growing climate pressures, the importance of strong, resilient small producers can’t be overstated.
The Minister’s message to businesses was direct: “I encourage all WA agrifood and beverage operators to examine how the voucher program can benefit their business.”
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