Based on the official Small Business Resilience Program CCTV Rebate page on smallbusiness.wa.gov.au, read on 6 October 2026. The program can change, so check that page before you apply.
Key facts
- 50% back, up to $2,000, on a new or upgraded internal CCTV system. Costs are counted excluding GST. [A]
- For retail and customer-facing businesses in WA with fewer than 20 employees, an active ABN and GST registration. [A]
- You need pre-approval before you install. Quotes must be dated after 6 October 2026. [A]
- Cameras must be hard-wired, at least 5MP, with a recorder holding at least 3TB. Wireless systems are not eligible. [A]
- The installer must hold a Class 2 security installer licence. You must also register the cameras with WA Police Cam-Map. [A]
- Applications opened at 10:00am on Monday 19 October 2026. [A]
- First come, first served. The round closes when the funding runs out. [A]
The WA Government has announced a CCTV rebate for small businesses under the Small Business Resilience Program, run by the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). Premier Roger Cook announced it on his Facebook page, describing it as matched funding of up to $2,000 per property, and the full rules are on the SBDC website. [A] [C] His post says eligible businesses "will be able to apply", so check the SBDC page for whether applications are open yet. This page puts those rules in plain English: who qualifies, what the cameras have to be, the order you have to do things in, and the mistakes that would cost you the money.
I am a licensed security installer in Spearwood and I install CCTV for shops and small businesses, so I have read the terms the way an installer has to. Where the official page does not say something, I say so rather than guess.
What the WA small business CCTV rebate is
The rebate is part of the SBDC's Small Business Resilience Program. The SBDC will pay up to 50% of the cost of a new or upgraded internal CCTV installation, to a maximum of $2,000, for eligible small businesses. [A] It is a one-off payment made after the system is installed and paid for. It is not a discount at the till: you pay the installer in full, then the SBDC pays you.
The SBDC runs the program in partnership with Crime Stoppers WA. [A] It is aimed at retail and customer-facing businesses. Cam-Map registration is part of the program, and it gives WA Police a record of where cameras are. [A]
Funding is limited. Applications are assessed first come, first served, and the round closes when the funding target is reached. Of the funding, 75% is for metropolitan applicants and 25% for regional applicants. [A] If you want a rebate, do not leave it late.
Your place in the queue is set by when you submit a complete application, with every required document and a valid quote. An incomplete application, for example one with a quote that does not meet the requirements, does not get a place in the queue. When traffic is high, SmartyGrants puts new visitors in a waiting room until a place is free. [A] So get the quote, the landlord's consent and the photo of the premises ready before you apply.
How much you get back
The rebate is 50% of the total cost of the system, excluding GST, capped at $2,000. [A]
- System costing $2,300 (ex GST): rebate of $1,150. This is the SBDC's own example. [A]
- System costing $3,000 (ex GST): rebate of $1,500.
- System costing $4,000 or more (ex GST): rebate of $2,000, because that is the cap.
Two things move the number after pre-approval. If the final cost is higher than the quote you were approved on, the rebate stays at the approved amount. If the final cost is lower, the rebate drops to match. The SBDC decides the final amount at its sole discretion. [A]
You can claim for one retail or customer-facing property per rebate, so a business with two shops can apply for each shop. [A]
Who can apply
You must meet every one of these: [A]
- A retail or customer-facing business in Western Australia. The SBDC defines this as a commercial enterprise that sells goods or services directly to individual customers for personal, household or everyday use, from a physical storefront or service location.
- Fewer than 20 employees, counted by headcount.
- An active ABN and registered for GST.
- Not insolvent, in administration or facing strike-off, and no bankrupt owners or directors.
- Not a subsidiary of a group that has 20 or more employees in total.
- Written consent from the property owner or agent, if you are not the owner. You need this before you apply.
Local, State and Federal Government properties are not eligible. The application has to be made by a Responsible Person with a direct link to the business, based in Australia. You cannot use a third party to apply for you, which means an installer cannot lodge it on your behalf. [A]
What the CCTV system must include
The system has to meet all of these minimums. A cheaper kit that falls short of any one of them will not qualify. [A]
- Hard-wired cameras. At least one must cover the customer entrance and the point of sale.
- At least 5 megapixels on every camera.
- A recorder with a hard drive of at least 3 terabytes.
- Infrared or low-light capability so it records at night.
- A time and date stamp displayed on all recorded footage.
- Footage that can be exported in a standard video format using a portable storage device, such as a USB drive.
Why no wireless? The SBDC says wireless systems rely on a continuous internet connection (a dropout means lost footage), have limited signal range, can be hacked and need batteries recharged. [A] A wired system, with cameras powered and connected by cable back to a recorder on site, keeps recording when the internet is down.
The brand is up to you. The SBDC does not endorse brands. The system only has to meet the minimums and be installed by a registered security company. [A]
Who can install it
You cannot install the system yourself. It must be installed by a person holding a Class 2 security installer licence, working for a registered business with a Security Agent Licence under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996. [A]
The SBDC does not keep an approved installer list. WA Police manage the list of current licence holders, so ask any installer for their licence number and check it. A Class 2 licence covers installing, maintaining and repairing security alarms and closed circuit television for security purposes. [A]
I hold a Class 2 licence, and my business holds the Security Agent Licence (SA54405). The licence also has to appear on your paperwork. The quote you submit has to show the installer's licence number and full name, and a quote without them is not valid for the rebate. [A]
How to apply, step by step
The order matters. Doing the install before pre-approval is the quickest way to lose the rebate. [A]
- Read the program information. Check you are eligible and set up a SmartyGrants account. Documents are uploaded through SmartyFiles, and the SBDC suggests uploading them before applications open. [A]
- Get a quote. It has to be dated after 6 October 2026, list the minimum technical specifications and show the installer's licence number and full name. The SBDC suggests getting two or three quotes.
- Apply for pre-approval through SmartyGrants. You need property details with a current photo of the front of the premises, the owner's written consent if you rent, and the quote.
- Wait for the SBDC's email. They notify every applicant, whether successful or not. If they ask for more information you have 5 working days to reply.
- Install within 60 days of the pre-approval email. Pay for the system and keep the tax invoice, which has to show the CCTV specifications.
- Register the cameras with WA Police Cam-Map and save the confirmation email.
- Submit the Service Completion form within 14 days of finishing the install, using the link in your pre-approval email. This is the claim.
- The SBDC pays once the system is fully paid and every form is in.
All of this is from the SBDC's five-step process and terms. [A] Do not submit placeholder documents to hold your place in the queue. The SBDC says this bypasses assessment and the application will be declined. [A]
What you need ready
- A current photo of the front of the premises and the property details.
- Written consent from the owner or agent, if you rent.
- A compliant quote dated after 6 October 2026, with specifications and the installer's licence number and full name.
- Your most recent business bank statement, for the account the rebate is paid into.
- Later on: the tax invoice with the CCTV specifications, proof of payment, and the WA Police Cam-Map confirmation email.
Documents must be unredacted PDFs. The SBDC does not accept PNG, JPG or Word files, because it uses the originals to check eligibility and prevent fraud. Phone photos of paperwork will need converting to PDF first. [A]
WA Police Cam-Map
Cam-Map is a WA Police register of where CCTV cameras are, so officers know where to ask for footage after an incident. Registering your cameras is mandatory and has to be done before you claim the rebate. You also agree to hand footage to WA Police when they ask. [A]
Police do not get remote access to your system. It stays in your premises and they request footage from you directly. If you do not provide requested footage, the terms let the SBDC recover the rebate. [A]
Privacy, signs and staff
The rebate comes with obligations about how the cameras are used. From the SBDC's terms: [A]
- No cameras in private areas such as fitting rooms, shower areas, toilets or change rooms.
- Cameras must be clearly visible, with signs at every entrance for staff and customers.
- Tell staff and new employees in writing that they are under surveillance.
- The install must not overlook neighbouring private property. If a neighbour's property is in a camera's view, you must tell them.
- No audio recording without consent.
- Keep footage in a password-protected, secure location, so it cannot be viewed, copied or tampered with.
- Keep the system in working order, and keep your records for 12 months after the rebate is paid.
The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA) is the law behind these. [B] My CCTV laws guide goes through what it means for cameras in more detail. (General information, not legal advice.)
Mistakes that cost people the rebate
- Installing before pre-approval. The SBDC checks eligibility before you install, and the rebate cannot be claimed for work already done. [A]
- Using an old quote. The SBDC says the quote must be dated after 6 October 2026. If yours is dated earlier, or on that day, check with the SBDC before you apply. [A]
- A quote with no licence number. The installer's licence number and full name have to be on it. [A]
- Buying a kit that misses a minimum: under 5MP, a drive under 3TB, footage that cannot be exported to a USB drive, or wireless cameras. [A]
- Missing the 60 and 14 day windows. Install within 60 days of pre-approval, then submit the completion form within 14 days. [A]
- Forgetting Cam-Map. It has to be done before you claim. [A]
- Sending photos or Word files instead of PDFs. They are not accepted. [A]
- Leaving it late. Funding is first come, first served and the round closes when it runs out. [A]
What this means for the cameras I install
The cameras I would pitch for a shop clear the technical minimums. Both lines run over network cable (PoE) back to the recorder, so nothing is wireless, and both have infrared night vision:
- Dahua Smart Dual Light, IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL: 6MP (3288 x 1850), with a 4K 8MP version, the IPC-HDW3867EM-S-IL (3840 x 2160).
- Dahua TiOC PRO (the TiOC 3 Pro line): the IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-PRO at 6MP, and the IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-PRO at 8MP. This is the line for very low light: a large 1/1.8-inch sensor, Starlight technology and a large aperture lens, built for places with very little light. They also add a warm light, a siren and a speaker you can talk through.
TiOC 3 Pro at night, covering a car park in low light, with the time and date stamp the rebate requires.
All four are above the 5MP minimum. The recorder is a Dahua NVR with a 4TB drive, which is over the 3TB minimum, and Dahua recorders back up to a USB device. For a shop I make sure one camera covers the entrance and another the counter, because the rebate requires it. [A]
Business jobs are always a free site visit and a written quote, because every shop is different. I can put the camera specifications and my licence details on the quote so it can go straight into a rebate application. I am a licensed electrician and security installer (EC12377 / SA54405), based in Spearwood, and I quote and install every job myself. See business alarm and CCTV for how a commercial job works, or the CCTV installation page for the cameras and recorders I use. For the right camera positions, where to put CCTV cameras covers the thinking, and how to read a CCTV quote will help when you compare two or three of them.
Other rebates that may apply
This program is for businesses. Homeowners have separate options: the Safety and Security Rebate for WA Seniors Card holders, and some council CCTV rebates, which usually have an annual budget and need approval before you buy. The Perth CCTV and security rebates guide lists what is available for homes. If you also want to see how crime figures look around Cockburn and the southern suburbs, the WA burglary statistics guide has them.
Where to start
- Check you qualify against the list above, and get your landlord's written consent now if you rent.
- Ask for a quote dated after 6 October 2026 that shows the specifications and the installer's licence number and full name.
- Apply for pre-approval first, then install.
- Based in Perth metro? I work across Perth metro. Metro businesses share 75% of the program funding. [A]
- Questions about the rules: the SBDC is on 133 140 or grants@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au.
To book a free site visit and written quote for a shop or small business, call 0414 464 675, text, or send an enquiry.
Common questions
What is the Small Business Resilience Program CCTV Rebate?
It is part of the Small Business Resilience Program, run by the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). It pays up to 50% of the cost of a new or upgraded internal CCTV installation, to a maximum of $2,000. [A]
Is the CCTV rebate a grant?
The SBDC calls it a rebate. You apply through its SmartyGrants portal and its grants team handles the applications, but you pay for the system first and the SBDC pays you back afterwards. [A]
What counts as a retail or customer-facing business?
The SBDC defines it as a commercial enterprise that sells goods or services directly to individual customers for personal, household or everyday use, from a physical storefront or service location. [A]
Who can apply for the WA small business CCTV rebate?
A retail or customer-facing business in Western Australia with fewer than 20 employees, an active ABN and GST registration. It must not be insolvent or in administration, and must not be a subsidiary of a group with 20 or more employees in total. If you rent, the property owner or agent must consent in writing before you apply. Local, State and Federal Government properties are not eligible. [A]
How much is the CCTV rebate?
50% of the total cost of the system, excluding GST, up to $2,000. For example, a system costing $2,300 would get a $1,150 rebate. Any system costing $4,000 or more (excluding GST) reaches the $2,000 cap. [A]
Does the rebate cover wireless cameras?
No. The system must be hard-wired. The SBDC gives these reasons: wireless systems depend on a continuous internet connection, have limited signal range, carry a hacking risk and have batteries that need recharging. [A]
What are the minimum camera and recorder requirements?
Hard-wired cameras, with at least one covering the customer entrance and point of sale. Every camera must be at least 5 megapixels. The recorder needs a hard drive of at least 3 terabytes. The cameras need infrared or low-light capability for night recording, the time and date must be displayed on all recorded footage, and footage must be exportable in a standard video format using a portable storage device such as a USB drive. [A]
Can I install the cameras myself?
No. The system must be installed by a Class 2 licensed security installer, and the installer must be a registered business holding a Security Agent Licence. The SBDC does not keep an approved installer list, but WA Police manage the list of current licence holders. Ask any installer for their licence number. [A]
Do I get the rebate before or after the installation?
After. You apply first and get pre-approval by email. You then install within 60 days, pay for the system, register the cameras with WA Police Cam-Map and submit the Service Completion form within 14 days of finishing. The SBDC pays once the system is fully paid and all forms are in. [A]
Can I use a quote I already have?
The SBDC says the quote must be dated after 6 October 2026. If yours is dated earlier, or on that day, check with the SBDC before you apply. The quote must also show the minimum technical specifications and the installer's Security Installer, Agent or Consultant licence number and full name. The SBDC suggests getting 2 or 3 quotes. [A]
When do applications open?
Applications opened at 10:00am on Monday 19 October 2026, through SmartyGrants, and stay open until the funding runs out. Check the official page for the current status. [A]
When does the CCTV rebate close?
There is no fixed closing date. Applications are assessed first come, first served, and the round closes when the funding target is reached. 75% of the funding is for metropolitan applicants and 25% for regional applicants. Check the official page for the current status before you spend time on an application. [A]
What is WA Police Cam-Map and do I have to register?
Cam-Map is a WA Police database of CCTV camera locations that helps police find footage during investigations. Registration is compulsory before you claim the rebate. Police do not get remote access to your cameras; they ask you for the footage. If footage is not provided when police request it, the SBDC can recover the rebate. [A]
Can I claim for a system I have already installed?
No. The rebate applies only to a new system or an upgrade where all the conditions are met, and you need pre-approval before you install. [A]
Can I claim more than one rebate?
Only one per retail or customer-facing property. A business with more than one shop can apply for each property. [A]
How and when is the rebate paid?
The SBDC makes a one-off payment into the business bank account you nominate (you upload a recent bank statement for it). It pays only after the system is fully paid for and all the forms, including the Service Completion form, are submitted. The rebate is calculated on the cost excluding GST. [A]
Where can staff and customers be filmed?
Cameras must never go in private areas such as fitting rooms, shower areas, toilets or change rooms. Staff must be told in writing about the surveillance, cameras must be visible, and signs must be at every entrance. Do not record audio without consent. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 applies. [A] [B] (General information, not legal advice.)
Will the SBDC check my installation?
Possibly. Some installations will be audited by the SBDC or an authorised third party, which can include a physical inspection of the system. You may also be asked to take part in an evaluation interview or survey, and you must keep your records for 12 months after the rebate is paid. [A]
Sources
- Small Business Development Corporation, Small Business Resilience Program: CCTV Rebate (eligibility, terms and conditions, FAQs), read 6 October 2026. smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/cctv. Contact: grants@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au, 133 140.
- Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA), WA Legislation. legislation.wa.gov.au
- Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, Facebook post announcing the CCTV Rebate. facebook.com/RogerCookMLA
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