Australian government

COVID-19 Recovery: A 9-Point Plan, a document released by Engineers Australia in May, is designed to give a helping hand to those engineering businesses and government that might need a sense of direction after the pandemic has run its course. When an event like COVID-19 occurs, one of the key considerations is how to get … Continue reading Moving forward after COVID-19 →

Defence has partnered with a family-owned South Australian company to produce face shields for frontline healthcare workers for protection against the coronavirus. Axiom Precision Manufacturing began production last week, with 600 of the new face shields designed by Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) already being distributed. Defence minister the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said … Continue reading Defence and SA manufacturer produce face shields →

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $480,000 in funding over the next 12 months to start-up accelerator program, EnergyLab Australia, to support the Australian startup acceleration program designed to assist clean energy entrepreneurs. EnergyLab has four core programs: 1) Pre-Acceleration which is about helping entrepreneurs with an idea to test its commercial viability. … Continue reading Government funding support for clean energy startups →

National employment association Ai Group has welcomed the federal government’s latest stimulus package to boost job prospects for Australians affected by the coronavirus. The announcement comes as a relieve for manufacturers and is expected to alleviate concerns for businesses during the next six months. The funding will provide $130 billion in wage support for six … Continue reading Ai Group welcomes federal government wage subsidy →

National employer association Ai Group has called on Australian governments to consider wage support mechanisms in response to escalating impacts of the coronavirus. Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said Australia should investigate new methods to mitigate further economic losses. “To cushion the broader impacts of the virus, a common goal in Australia and other countries … Continue reading Wage support worth considering, Ai Group says →

Resources and energy exports are on track to reach nearly $300 billion this financial year, $18 billion more than the previous record despite the impact of the coronavirus. Some of Australia’s largest resources companies and industry groups together with the Australian government have united during over discussions on how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. … Continue reading Resources exports on track to reach almost $300bn →

A $1.3 billion support package from the Federal Government to keep 117,000 apprentices and trainees employed will become available for up to 70,000 small businesses. The investment, which comes under the Government’s Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, is part of a broader $17.6 billion initiative to keep Australians employed in response to the coronavirus. Small businesses that … Continue reading $1.3bn support package for small businesses in response to coronavirus →

New energy innovation projects that draw on resources from the oceans and outer space will receive $344,000 in funding from the Australian Government. Two industry collaborations, led through National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), will be supported by the grant. The first project, to be delivered by the newly formed Australia Remote Operations for Space and … Continue reading Federal funding announced for new NERA projects →

Australian researchers and businesses will receive up to $50,000 in funding from the Federal Government to take their products global under the Global Connections Fund (GCF) Bridging Grants. Karen Andrews, minister for industry, science, and technology, says the grants are designed to strengthen international partnerships between small businesses and researchers. “The grants will help develop … Continue reading Government grant builds global connections →

The Australian government is backing small businesses by increasing the instant asset write-off threshold from $20,000 to $25,000. This came into effect on January 30, 2019, along with the extension of the initiative for another year beyond its existing June 2019 end-date. The continued support for small businesses will enable more than three million small … Continue reading Small businesses rising up in Industry 4.0 space →

The Australian government is taking a new approach to the long-term tenancy arrangements at the munitions facility in Benalla, Victoria, which will deliver up to 100 new jobs. Defence will enter into collaborative negotiations early this year with Australian company NIOA to establish a second long-term tenancy alongside Thales Australia trading as Australian Munitions. On … Continue reading Increased security and employment opportunities at munitions facility →

The federal government has concluded negotiations with Hong Kong on the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the deal to come into force next year. The conclusion of the agreement with Hong Kong means Australia now has FTAs with seven of its top eight export markets for goods and services. Australia’s trade minister, Simon … Continue reading Australia concludes free trade deal talks with Hong Kong →

BAE Systems has announced that it has submitted a bid to the Australian Government to provide ongoing sustainment and support for the Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock ships (LHD), LHD Landing Craft (LLC) and associated shore support facilities. BAE Systems has partnered with Atlantic & Peninsula Australia, Saab Australia and Navantia Australia to offer an … Continue reading BAE Systems teams with A&P, Saab and Navantia for LHD sustainment and support bid →

Victorian-based company Marand Precision Engineering has delivered its 50th Vertical Tail in support of the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. The Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said Marand’s achievement, with the support of BAE Systems PLC, also proved the importance of international collaboration. “Through its partnership with BAE Systems PLC, and with … Continue reading Marand, BAE Systems reach new milestones in F-35 JSF program →

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council, comprising state and territory energy ministers, headed by Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, is meeting today to decide whether the proposed National Energy Guarantee (NEG) proceeds to a final policy design in August or not. Proposed by the Energy Security Board in October 2017, the National Energy Guarantee looks to encourage new investment … Continue reading COAG to decide final direction of NEG today →

Swinburne researchers have secured $3.45 million in funding to continue work on a project investigating energy storage alternatives using graphene oxide – the lightest, strongest and most electrically conductive material to be discovered and reportedly, according to the researchers, has the potential to revolutionise manufacturing across all industries. Researchers at the university will receive the … Continue reading Swinburne researchers receive $3.45m gov grant for energy research →

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) have announced $11.9 million in funding for Australian biofuel company Ethanol Technologies Limited (Ethtec) to complete the development and demonstration of its groundbreaking advanced biofuel technology. As part of a $48 million project, Ethtec aims to construct a $30 million purpose built pilot-scale facility based in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. … Continue reading $11.9 million ARENA funding for Ethtec biofuel tech →

In an AAP media release, Murray Irrigation is in the process of commissioning a modernisation program that will see a transition from its current manual to a predominantly automated irrigation system. The not-for-profit company’s Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) spans its entire footprint and involves the upgrade of more than 3,400 structures comprising 2,100 … Continue reading $206 million upgrade for Murray Irrigation →

GE and CSIRO’s Data61, have developed a data analytics solution that will give the Royal Australian Navy greater insights into their fleet engine performance and enhance operational efficiency. GE supplies the Royal Australian Navy with its LM2500 gas turbines that power the Anzac, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart class vessels. CSIRO’s Data61 has developed an application … Continue reading GE and CSIRO’s Data61 partnership to boost navy fleet performance →

The Australian government has announced the commissioning of the first Australian-built Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Hobart. According to the Department of Defence, the warship brings together the best of Australian and global technology to be one of the world’s most potent and lethal warships.  She will provide air defence for accompanying ships, in addition to land … Continue reading Australia commissions its first air warfare destroyer →