Small Business Development Corporation (Western Australia) - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Government of Western Australia in 1984. Its core vision is to cultivate a robust and enterprising small business sector across Western Australia. The SBDC's mission is to offer and facilitate practical, relevant support to small businesses while actively advocating on their behalf. The organization plays a pivotal role in encouraging, promoting, facilitating, and assisting the establishment, growth, and development of small businesses throughout the state through education, skill development programs, advice, and guidance.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

The SBDC's strategic focus is centered on enabling small businesses in Western Australia to start effectively, survive, and thrive. Its main objectives involve providing practical advice, comprehensive information, and clear guidance to business owners.

Specialization Areas

The SBDC's key areas of expertise include:

Free business advisory service: Available through multiple channels including phone, live chat, email, in-person consultations, and video appointments.

Business skills workshops: Designed to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of small business owners.

Dispute resolution service: Offering mediation and support for business-related conflicts.

Advocacy: Representing the small business sector's interests to all levels of government and providing insights on policy and legislation impacts.

"ServiceWA for Business" project: An ongoing initiative to streamline engagement for small and medium businesses with the WA Government, particularly focusing on e-applications and e-approvals.

The SBDC's core values drive its operations:

Enterprise: Fostering a solution-focused and inventive culture.

Collaboration: Working with partners to achieve shared goals.

Integrity: Upholding courage, honesty, and respect in all dealings.

Target Markets

The primary target market for the SBDC is small businesses operating across all sectors and regions within Western Australia.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

As an independent statutory authority, the Small Business Development Corporation is funded directly by the Government of Western Australia. The SBDC has a history of administering significant government financial support initiatives.

COVID-19 Business Assistance Grants: By 2023, the SBDC distributed over $250 million in COVID-19 business assistance grants on behalf of the State Government, following the enactment of the Small Business Development Corporation (COVID-19 Response) Act 2022.

Ongoing Grant Programs: The SBDC continues to manage specific grant programs, exemplified by the "2025/26 Small Business & Charities Electricity Bill Relief - Embedded Networks" program, which has a submission closing date in March 2026.

Financial Governance: The SBDC's financial management practices strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Financial Management Act 2006.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

The SBDC offers a range of services designed to support the small business ecosystem in Western Australia:

Business Advisory Service: Provides expert advice and guidance on various aspects of business operations, planning, and growth. Available through multiple convenient channels.

Business Skills Workshops: Comprehensive training sessions and programs aimed at developing essential business skills and knowledge for owners and operators.

Dispute Resolution Service: Offers impartial and practical assistance for resolving commercial disputes, helping businesses avoid costly litigation.

Policy and Legislative Advocacy: Acts as a voice for small businesses, influencing government policy to create a more supportive business environment.

ServiceWA for Business Project: A strategic initiative focused on digitizing and streamlining how small and medium businesses interact with the WA Government for applications and approvals.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

The SBDC has a history of technological adoption and innovation to enhance its service delivery.

Early Innovations: In 1988, the agency pioneered satellite transmission for its Small Business Week launch and introduced a Business Information Technology Service to offer IT advice.

Digital Platform Refresh: A modernized website was launched in October 2021 to provide easily accessible digital information and resources.

ServiceWA for Business: The corporation is leading this key project, which uses digital platforms for e-applications and e-approvals, aligning with the broader ServiceWA strategy endorsed in 2023. This streamlines engagement between small and medium businesses and the WA Government.

Internal Systems: Ongoing improvements are made to internal technology, governance frameworks, risk management processes, and evidence-based reporting.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Saj Abdoolakhan - Small Business Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer

Commenced in this dual role in May 2025. Mr. Abdoolakhan previously held senior leadership roles within the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), where he was responsible for compliance and safety in the building and energy sectors, including serving as Western Australia's Building Commissioner.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saj-abdoolakhan-33042456](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saj-abdoolakhan-33042456)

Sharni Foulkes - Chair of the SBDC Board

Appointed Chair in June 2025. Mrs. Foulkes is the Chief Executive Officer of the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Inc). Her background includes significant regional business leadership, having chaired Goldfields Women Building Business and served as the WA lead for Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA). She is also a Founding Director of LoKal Hub and Dream Big Corporation and has experience as a Business Adviser. She holds a Diploma of Business, a Diploma of Leadership and Management, and a Master of Business Administration.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharnifoulkes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharnifoulkes)

Amit Khullar - Board Member

Appointed to the Board in June 2025 for a three-year term. Mr. Khullar is the Director and Co-Founder of Wevolt Pty Ltd, an app for electric vehicle users. He is a member of the Ministerial Multicultural Advisory Group and the Kids Research Institute Australia Multicultural Advisory Group, and serves as President of the Anti Online Abuse Society and the Indian Sports and Cultural Academy. His professional background includes business development and marketing consultancy.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitkhullarwa](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitkhullarwa)

Adam Grizich - Board Member

Appointed to the Board in July 2025 for a three-year term. Mr. Grizich owns an independent butcher's shop in Kwinana and is a co-founder of the social enterprise Nick's Jerky. He brings extensive experience in franchising to the board.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-grizich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-grizich)

Eliza Carbines - Board Member

Appointed to the Board in October 2021. Based in Karratha, Ms. Carbines is the founder and CEO of Tender Relief. Her professional experience spans both State Government and private sectors, and she is a strong advocate for entrepreneurism and economic diversity in regional Western Australia. She also serves on the Innovation Advisory Board.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-carbines](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-carbines)

Gillian Nathan - Board Member

Appointed to the Board in October 2021. Ms. Nathan is the founder and owner of Simple Solutions Accounting Services, a tax and accounting practice. She possesses extensive expertise in taxation, financial, and management reporting, working directly with small business owners. She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with a Masters in Taxation and International Tax.
LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-nathan-b593a15](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-nathan-b593a15)

Recent Leadership Changes

The SBDC has undergone significant changes in its leadership team recently:

Chief Executive Officer: In May 2025, Saj Abdoolakhan was appointed as the new Small Business Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David Eaton PSM, who retired after serving as the inaugural Commissioner since 2012.

Board Chair: In June 2025, Sharni Foulkes commenced her term as the new Chair of the SBDC Board, replacing Grant Cucel.

New Board Members: Amit Khullar was appointed to the Board in June 2025, and Adam Grizich joined in July 2025 as new Board members.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

The SBDC consistently seeks to expand its talent pool, demonstrated by active pool recruitment processes for key roles such as Business Advisers. These roles typically require experienced professionals with strong knowledge of small business operations, particularly from sectors like hospitality, tourism, finance, or marketing, to provide essential advice across Western Australia. The organization also actively recruited for project-specific roles, such as a Project Manager for the ServiceWA for Business initiative (a 6-month fixed-