- Increase access to literacy and numeracy programs.
- Increase access to STEM programs.
- Provide Indigenous students access scholarship programs for high school and/or further education
- Provide opportunities for leadership and mentoring to Indigenous students enrolled in programs at university.
Community investment
At PLS, we are committed to shaping tomorrow. We do this through our products and their role in the clean energy transition, as well as providing support to the communities in which we operate.
We support our priority communities via our Community Investment Program, providing financial support to community organisations through a range of partnerships and programs.
These initiatives support our purpose and ensure our operations contribute to the social and economic prosperity of the communities of which we are a part.
Framework
Our Community Investment Framework identifies the areas and communities we support. This Framework ensures we are supporting programs that align with community need and that any investment has a positive, lasting and sustainable impact.
Priority communities
Our priority communities are Port Hedland, Yandeyarra, Strelley and Perth.
Focus areas
Education
Investing in our future by improving access to education programs.
Outcomes
Community Resilience
Supporting our communities to be sustainable and resilient through health and wellbeing, economic and capacity building initiatives.
Outcomes
- Increase support to our FIFO workforce and their families.
- Increase access to services that support mental and physical health and wellbeing.
- Increase services and support for healthy behaviors.
- Increase access to healthcare professionals.
- Support programs that build capacity and support economic diversification.
- Support and celebrate the local community and culture.
Energy Transition
Assisting communities to make a sustainable shift to renewable energy through initiatives, investment, research, innovation and economic diversification
Outcomes
- Support in renewable energy initiatives.
- Improve transition to clean energy in communities through investment in infrastructure.
- Increase access to training in sustainability and renewable energy to build capacity and knowledge.
- Partner with organisations to optimize the transition to clean energy.
- Support research and development that promotes the transition to clean energy.
Community Grants Program
The annual grants program funds events and initiatives in our priority communities that meet our community investment focus areas of education, community resilience and energy transition.
Applications for the 2025 Community Grants Program have now closed. Successful applicants will be announced in August 2025.
Eligibility
Not-for-profit, sport and community groups that are incorporated (or auspiced via another incorporated body) based in Port Hedland, Strelley, Yandeyarra, as well as groups that implement Pilbara-wide initiatives, that align with our focus areas of education, community resilience and energy transition are invited to apply.
With our strong focus on community, PLS will not consider applications from individuals, religious organisations, private or commercial entities, or for activities that encourage the irresponsible use of alcohol or promote gambling, or which are usually exclusively funded by government.
Our community partnerships
Earbus Foundation WA
Focus Area: Community Resilience
Our 5-year partnership with Earbus Foundation WA will enable them to continue to triage, treat and manage the ear health of Aboriginal and at-risk children across the Pilbara region.
Earbus provides ear health screening, treatment and surveillance using roving teams of doctors, audiologists, nurses and ear, nose and throat specialists.
To find out more about Earbus Foundation visit – www.earbus.org.au
Strelley Community Project
Focus Area: Energy Transition
In partnership with Pacific Energy and the Strelley Community, we supported the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Lithium Battery Project at the Strelley Community and School in the Pilbara region.
The Project comprises 44.2kW of solar PV (96 solar panels) and a 144kWh lithium battery storage system. This new renewable power system will reduce the Strelley Community’s reliance on diesel generators, allowing it to run ‘diesel off’ during the day using solar energy and battery energy during the night.
The Smith Family
Focus Areas: Community Resilience and Education
Our 5-year partnership with the Smith Family will support its Learning For Life Program.
The Program will support children in the south-west region of WA through the provision of 100 scholarships. The scholarships will provide recipients and their families, financial support for education essentials, personal support for the child to stay motivated at school and practical support through extra learning and mentoring.
To find out more about Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program visit –www.thesmithfamily.com.au/programs/learning-for-life
Teach Learn Grow Partnership
Focus Area: Education
Our 5-year partnership support with Teach Learn Grow (TLG) assist them to provide services to children living in the East Pilbara region (Yandeyarra, Marble Bar, Strelley and South Hedland).
TLG bridges the education gap for children in rural and remote Australian communities experiencing disadvantage. TLG provides primary school students with free one-on-one tutoring and mentoring delivered by inspiring and engaging volunteer university students.
To learn more about Teach Learn Grow visit – https://teachlearngrow.org.au/
Foodbank nom! Schools Program
Focus area: Community resilience
A three-year comprehensive hands-on nutrition education and cooking program empowering school-aged children in the Pilbara with nutrition knowledge through fun and engaging sessions.
To learn more about the nom! program visit nom.org.au
Community Grants Program
Focus area: Community resilience
We run an annual program that support local projects and initiatives in the Pilbara region. In the 2023 inaugural year we funded 12 projects and in 2024 we funded 11. These projects are aimed at enhancing education, community resilience and celebrating the local culture of the Pilbara community