Defence Industry Grants

A venture capital investment program that provides capital and professional expertise to innovative Australian early-stage companies and high-growth startups. The program offers increased fund sizes up to $200 million, a 10% tax offset on capital deployed into start-up companies, and a tax-exempt environment for investment returns.

This automation project integrates Edge AI with advanced sensors to reduce costly defects during die-casting of aluminium EV parts using robotic spectral imaging sensors. Edge AI methods will optimize production automation through root-cause analysis, reducing waste and energy consumption across manufacturing applications from aerospace to defence and mining. The lead partner APTA Automation will provide Australian firms with Edge AI solutions to increase global competitiveness and achieve enhanced sustainability.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds small to medium enterprises to build Australia's sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. The program has four streams: Sovereign Industrial Priorities, Exports, Security, and Skilling, each tailored to address specific defence industry development outcomes.

The program provides advisory services and matched grant funding to support SMEs undertaking innovative commercialisation and growth projects in priority manufacturing areas. Eligible businesses receive specialised advice from an Industry Growth Program Adviser, and may then apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $5 million to support their commercialisation and growth initiatives.

This program provides Victorian defence suppliers with matched funding to help them enter Hanwha's domestic and global supply chains and build capabilities to support the Commonwealth Government's $1 billion Land 8116 Self-Propelled Howitzer program. Funding supports activities including gaining accreditations, preparing tenders, facilities upgrades, product development, defence R&D, and trade missions.

This program provides financial assistance to Western Australian defence sector businesses to help them employ apprentices in approved trades. Eligible employers receive incentive payments of up to $20,000 for each apprentice trained in one of four specified engineering and electrotechnology trades.

This program provides funding for business events such as expos, trade shows, forums, and conferences that promote Western Australia as a destination for trade and investment. Events can be hybrid, virtual, or in-person and must strengthen connections between WA and international markets of strategic importance.

This program provides financial assistance to Western Australian defence sector businesses to help them upskill existing workers through an existing worker traineeship (EWT). Incentive payments of up to $6,375 are available to equip workers with digital and technical capabilities to meet Industry 4.0 demands. Course fees are reduced by 72% for approved qualifications including Certificate IV in Cyber Security, Diploma of Applied Technologies, and Diploma of Engineering.

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) provides debt finance, equity finance and guarantees for businesses with compelling proposals in priority areas of the Australian economy. Applicants may seek funding for proposals in renewables and low emissions technologies, medical science, transport, value-add in agriculture/forestry/fisheries, value-add in resources, defence capabilities, and enabling capabilities.

The ITRP supports university researchers to partner with industry in priority areas for Australia. It includes Industrial Transformation Research Hubs that fund research projects focused on issues facing industry, and Industrial Transformation Training Centres that support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and postdoctoral researchers to gain practical skills and experience through industry placements.

This program supports Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturers and advanced technology enterprises to engage specialist bid and tender writing consultants for defence procurement submissions. It provides up to 50% contribution toward consultancy costs, with funding available in two tiers based on procurement value.

Defence funding opportunities designed to meet Defence capability needs. The program supports small and medium businesses to join global defence industry supply chains.