Kimberley Development Commission

What Kimberley Development Commission does

The Kimberley Development Commission (KDC) is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia, established in 1993 under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 to promote economic and social development of the Kimberley region. It serves regional communities, local governments, Aboriginal corporations, and small and medium enterprises across four Shires (Broome, Derby/West Kimberley, Halls Creek, and Wyndham/East Kimberley) covering approximately one sixth of Western Australia's land mass. The Commission operates two regional offices in Kununurra and Broome and is governed by a board reporting to the Minister for Regional Development.

KDC's core offerings are government grant programs, the largest being the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants with a $50.85 million budget running through 2026 (up to $250,000 per project). Additional programs include the Kimberley Community Action Fund ($2 million over two years, up to $100,000 per project), Kimberley Schools Project ($36.7 million Royalties for Regions funded), the Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative ($4.4 million), and business case funding for residential facilities for at-risk youth ($500,000). The Commission also produces research outputs including the Kimberley Regional Investment Blueprint (2036 and Beyond) and sector profiles on aged care, childcare, and housing. KDC does not develop proprietary technology products and operates primarily as a policy, advocacy, and grant administration body.

The Commission's revenue model is based on appropriations from the Western Australian Government through the annual budget and Royalties for Regions program, with funds flowing through to grantees. Go-to-market is direct engagement rather than sales-driven: KDC processes applications (via SmartyGrants for some programs), facilitates investment, advocates with other government agencies, and convenes regional stakeholders. Notable partnerships include Main Roads Western Australia (road infrastructure), Department of Communities (Aboriginal housing), Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (cotton gin loan), DPIRD (RED Grants co-funding), and the Pilbara Development Commission (drought resilience planning).

Name

Kimberley Development Commission

Legal name

Kimberley Development Commission

Website

https://kdc.wa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Kimberley Development Commission is a Western Australian Government statutory authority that administers grant programs, advocates for investment, and coordinates regional economic and social development across the Kimberley region's four Shires.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Education Department Administration (BPAIABAJ), Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL)

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Government grant programs
• Aboriginal economic development
• Regional infrastructure investment
• Community development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kununurra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants Administration: The commission operates as a statutory authority funded by the Western Australian Government through annual appropriations and Royalties for Regions funding. It administers grant programs including RED Grants ($50.85 million over 9 years), Kimberley Community Action Fund ($2 million over 2 years), and other grant programs to distribute funding to regional projects and initiatives.
2. Regional Development Services: The commission provides information, advice, advocacy, and facilitation services to promote business development, identify investment opportunities, and support infrastructure and service delivery in the Kimberley region. Services include business case development support, grant application assistance, and project facilitation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Kimberley Development Commission is a Western Australian Government statutory authority that administers grant programs (RED Grants, Kimberley Community Action Fund, Sponsorships, Youth At-Risk funding) and delivers regional development services including business case facilitation, investment attraction, infrastructure advocacy, and research publications for the Kimberley region. It provides information, advice, advocacy, and facilitation services to promote economic and social development across the four Shires of the Kimberley region.

Product overview

The Kimberley Development Commission is a statutory authority of the Western Australian Government that promotes economic and social development of the Kimberley region. Rather than a commercial product company, KDC offers a portfolio of government grant programs (RED Grants, Kimberley Community Action Fund, Sponsorships), funding initiatives for housing, youth facilities, education, and infrastructure projects, plus research publications including sector profiles on aged care, childcare, and housing. The Commission's programs are designed to stimulate regional economic growth, support Aboriginal economic development, grow primary production, tourism, and workforce development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RED Grants Program Regional Economic Development Grants program providing up to $250,000 to projects that stimulate economic growth, employment, skills development, and attract investment in the Kimberley region. Open to regional businesses, Aboriginal corporations, and community organizations.
• Kimberley Community Action Fund (KCAF) WA Government $2 million grant program over two years supporting local solutions to reduce crime in the Kimberley Region, with up to $100,000 available per project for crime reduction, community safety, youth engagement, and community empowerment initiatives. Targeted at community organizations, Shires, and Aboriginal corporations.
• KDC Sponsorships Sponsorship and financial assistance program offering support to Kimberley businesses and organizations for economic development, service delivery, and quality of life projects. Provides direct sponsorship funding for events, initiatives, and community activities.
• Kimberley Residential Facilities for Youth At-Risk Funding Program State Government $500,000 funding for business case development and operational plans for residential facilities for youth at-risk across the Kimberley region. Supports creation of safe residential accommodation and care services for vulnerable young people.
• Northern Native Seed Industry Development Initiative $4.4 million initiative supporting creation of seed production enterprises across Pilbara, Goldfields-Esperance, and Kimberley regions to meet mining post-closure revegetation obligations. Facilitates new commercial native seed supply businesses.
• Kimberley Schools Project $36.7 million Royalties for Regions funded collaboration across education departments to accelerate learning outcomes for Aboriginal students across 23 Kimberley schools through targeted teaching, early years learning, attendance improvement, and community engagement strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.9M allocated through RED Grants to date
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DPIRD collaborates with the Kimberley Development Commission on the RED Grants program and regional development initiatives. The department provides technical expertise and co-develops regional development strategies including the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program.
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DPIRD works with KDC on the RED Grants program, providing co-funding and strategic alignment for regional economic development initiatives across the Kimberley region.
• Kimberley ShirescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Shires of Broome, Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, and Wyndham East Kimberley for grant programs, housing initiatives, and regional development projects. The commission works with shires on strategic advocacy and planning.
• Department of the Premier and Cabinet (WA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates all-of-government approach to maximize social and economic opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and communities on the Dampier Peninsula, alongside mitigating impacts of increased visitors.
• Pilbara Development CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Pilbara Development Commission to deliver the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program for the northwest of WA, working with local stakeholders and communities on drought resilience strategies.
• University of Western AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWA School of Surgery and Orthopedic Research collaborated with Marine Biomedical on PearlBone technology development. Professor Minghao Zheng and Dr Rui (Chris) Ruan conducted research demonstrating nacre's potential for bone implants.
• Department of Communities (WA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Housing Authority, administers the Transitional Housing Program and North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund ($200 million) in partnership with KDC for housing delivery in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
• Kimberley Cotton Company (KCC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Ord River District Cooperative (ORDCO), Kimberley Agricultural Investment (KAI), and Miriuwung Gajerrong (MG) Corporation leading construction and operation of Kununurra cotton gin.
• Main Roads Western AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging road upgrade projects including Duncan Road and Gordon Downs Road upgrade, and Dampier Peninsula road sealing project in partnership with local communities.
• Wunan FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAboriginal organization recipient of Kimberley Community Action Fund grants for youth programs and community initiatives in the Kimberley region.
• Binarri-Binyja Yarrawoo (BBY) Aboriginal CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-design partner with Department of Communities for transitional housing location, density, and design specifications ensuring houses meet local Aboriginal community needs.
• Department of Education (WA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead agency for Kimberley Schools Project collaboration with Catholic Education Western Australia, Association of Independent Schools WA, and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
• Marine BiomedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroome-based biotech company developing PearlBone synthetic bone scaffold technology from pearl oyster nacre, receiving $200,000 RED Grant for GMP laboratory construction.
• Yawuru PeoplemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditional owners and inhabitants of the Kimberley whose ancestral knowledge and land stewardship are central to regional development. KDC acknowledges their central role in the region's culture and economy.
• Main RoadsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManaging delivery of road infrastructure projects including Duncan Road and Gordon Downs Road upgrades and Dampier Peninsula road sealing.
• Northern Minerals LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining company developing Browns Range heavy rare earth project in the Kimberley. $51 million road upgrade provides improved access to the mine site and local communities.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wheatbelt Development Commission: WA Regional Development Commission operating in the Wheatbelt region under the same statutory framework. Direct peer in administering regional grants, economic development, and community programs with identical government funding model as KDC.
• Gascoyne Development Commission: Smaller WA Regional Development Commission serving the Gascoyne region. Direct peer with same legislative mandate, government funding model, and regional development scope as KDC, focused on a more sparsely populated but resource-rich WA region.
• Great Southern Development Commission: WA Regional Development Commission serving the Great Southern region. Operates under identical statutory mandate as KDC, with comparable grant administration, regional planning, and Aboriginal economic development functions.
• Pilbara Development Commission: Direct sister commission under the same Regional Development Commissions Act 1993, serving the adjacent Pilbara region of Western Australia. Explicitly partnered with KDC on the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, sharing the same statutory mandate, government funding model, and regional development focus.
• Mid West Development Commission: Another WA Regional Development Commission operating under the same 1993 Act, serving the Mid West region. Direct peer in structure, mandate, and operating model to KDC, administering regional grants and economic development programs in a comparable WA geography.
• Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission: WA Regional Development Commission serving the Goldfields-Esperance region under the same statutory framework. Operates identical grant administration, regional planning, and stakeholder coordination functions as KDC, with comparable funding sources and ministerial oversight.
• South West Development Commission: WA Regional Development Commission for the South West region, operating under the same 1993 Act. Direct peer in scope and structure to KDC, with comparable funding sources and regional development mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Regional Development Australia: Australian Government initiative coordinating 52 regional committees nationally for economic development and community resilience. Broader federal-level incumbent to KDC's regional development focus, with overlapping mandate around regional investment attraction and stakeholder coordination but operating at a different scale and jurisdiction.
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD): Major WA Government department that co-funds and co-delivers the RED Grants program with KDC. Functions as a broader incumbent in regional development across Western Australia with a wider portfolio that includes agriculture, fisheries, and regional development policy beyond KDC's Kimberley-specific mandate.

Regional players

• Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade: Comparable regional economic development agency for the Northern Territory, covering regions adjacent to the Kimberley. Similar mandate around industry development, investment attraction, and Aboriginal economic participation, but operating in a different jurisdiction with separate funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kimberleydevelopmentcommission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kimberley-development-commission

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kimberley Development Commission