BHP handed over $3.8 billion in tax and royalty payments to Western Australia during the financial year and estimates its projects contributed 13 per cent of all revenue in the state.

BHP handed over $3.8 billion in tax and royalty payments to Western Australian governments during the financial year and estimates its projects contributed 13 per cent of all revenue in the state.

That’s according to BHP’s latest economic contribution report, revealing the mining giant paid $18.5 billion in taxes, royalties and royalty-related income taxes to Australia during the 2022 financial year.

Total payments to WA were $3.8 billion, accounting for 13 per cent of all revenue (excluding grants) collected by the state.

Nearly all of that amount - $3.6 billion compared to $3 billion in the 2021 financial year - was paid in royalties.

It cements BHP as one of the biggest taxpayers in the state and nationally, expecting to fund around 10 per cent of Australia’s company tax in the 2022 financial year.

BHP recorded an underlying attributable profit of $US24 billion for the same period.

Number of WA suppliers grew from 1,661 in FY21 to 1,869 with 85 of them indigenous.

In all, BHP suppliers received $4.9 billion from BHP during the year.

West Kalgoorlie-based Archer Access, a fall protection equipment provider and height safety training business, is one of the recipients.

Owner and operator Marcus Day said BHP Nickel West was one of his first clients and helped get his business up and running.

“As people have got to know who we are, we’ve become known for our competence and we’re getting regular shutdowns  and getting invited back,” he said.

Ropes are often used instead of scaffolding during major shutdowns.

“We’re not even asking any more – they’re coming to us.”

BHP has 14,800 employees and 5,700 contractors, taking its latest total headcount to 20,500.