SMEs

Innovative technology is at the core of our Australian Defence industry with local advanced manufacturers at the cutting-edge of new discoveries and technical applications. But to develop and operationalise these exciting ideas, they require Australian Defence funding. Faced with time consuming and complicated grant applications, it’s easy to become discouraged. So, how does an SME … Continue reading A Defence Innovation Hub success story: SME wins grant for innovative technology development →

By Dr Jason Coonan, Chief Operating Officer at the Innovative Manufacturing CRC By now we are all acutely aware of the impact that COVID-19 has had on our manufacturing industry, including our innovation pipeline. As we adapt to our “new normal”, kickstarting the industry’s recovery and innovation ecosystem is more important than ever before. Small … Continue reading Why short-term, high impact manufacturing R&D is important for fuelling Australia’s innovation ecosystem →

Guy Callaghan, CEO of Banjo Loans shares his thoughts with Manufacturers’ Monthly about growth strategies for SMEs following the pandemic.

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program – facilitated by federal government’s trade, investment and education promotion agency, Austrade – will now fund manufacturers’ eligible export activities. 

Defence industry businesses are being given greater access to a Morrison Government grant aimed at growing the skills of Australia’s defence industry. The Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program offers grants of up to half a million dollars to support the skilling needs of eligible small to medium businesses, with the Government providing $39 million … Continue reading Up to $500,000 in SADI grants by Defence to help Aussie SMEs →

Thousands of SA small businesses and not-for-profit organisations that continue to be impacted by COVID-19^ will be eligible for a second $10,000 cash grant. The cash grants are part of the SA government’s $4 billion in economic stimulus to help protect thousands of local jobs. And, for the first time, the state government has introduced a $3,000 cash grant for … Continue reading New round of small business cash grants as $4 billion in COVID-19 stimulus extends to sole traders in SA →

Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has launched its new funding initiative, IMCRC activate, with an Australian first — the development of a rapid COVID-19 test that uses optical technology. Designed to provide a much-needed stimulus to Australian manufacturing businesses in the wake of COVID-19, IMCRC activate stimulates and fast-tracks R&D investment, offering access to … Continue reading IMCRC launches first approved project for rapid COVID-19 test →

The federal government is increasing its support for the defence industry innovation sector by providing an additional $32 million for investment through the Defence Innovation Hub over the next two years. This investment, which is part of the government’s Defence COVID-19 investment initiatives, will increase cash flow to Australian small and medium-sized businesses that are … Continue reading $32m in funding to stimulate the defence innovation sector →

WA Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly announced that the WA government is advancing up to $800,000 from the $16.7 million New Industries Fund (NIF) to support start‑ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) impacted by COVID-19. The state government recognises that Western Australia’s innovation sector has been impacted by COVID-19, with start-ups and entrepreneurs … Continue reading $800,000 from New Industries Fund to support COVID-19 affected innovation sector →

A new Industry 4.0 Testlab to support industry innovation across defence, mining, ag-tech, electronics and automotive sectors has opened at the University of South Australia (UniSA). The $2 million hub, equipped with 3D printing facilities, multiplayer virtual reality spaces for human-centred design, and an industrial-scale manufacturing demonstrator, will help small-to-medium enterprises create test new advanced … Continue reading University of SA to open $2 million Industry 4.0 hub →

The federal government has announced a review into Australia’s patents system to support innovation in small-to-medium-sized businesses. The review will consider the accessibility for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as part of the government’s commitment to ensuring our intellectual property framework supports the needs of smaller businesses. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews … Continue reading Federal government launches review into patents system to support SMEs →

Hundreds of local jobs will be supported as the SA state government has announced $65.5 million of local community projects across South Australia as part of its $1 billion stimulus package. A total of 37 projects have successfully secured funding across 27 different council areas, with 24 in metropolitan Adelaide and 13 in regional South … Continue reading Local SA projects to provide stimulus boost to the state →

The Victorian government’s mediation service to help small and medium business tenants and landlords reach a fair agreement in rent disputes, as a result of coronavirus, is in effect. The service is provided through the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC), and is part of the government’s commercial tenancy relief scheme. The scheme provides a six-month … Continue reading Vic government announces free mediation service for commercial tenancy disputes →

The federal government will contribute $48.3 million towards modernising how Australian manufacturers do business, with critical investment in small-and-medium-sized businesses in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Two hundred projects worth more than $215 million are being supported through the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF). Industry, Science and Technology minister Karen Andrews said the job-creating investments … Continue reading $48.3 million for SMEs through modernisation fund →

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that are adversely impacted by the coronavirus will have up to two years to pay deferred rent under a federal government mandatory code of conduct. The code, which was developed as a standard national approach to mitigate “a rapid and severe commercial impact” to coronavirus, will apply to all relevant … Continue reading SMEs given two years to defer rent payments →

The Victorian government has announced it will provide a $500 million fund to help public infrastructure workers find work as part of a $1.7 billion package to save jobs. The Working with Victoria Fund will support employment in response to the pandemic and afford security for Victorians. Premier Daniel Andrews said the government will continue … Continue reading Victorian government announces $1.7 bn support package →

The volume of work predicted in the Australian defence industry needs no overstating, but how can manufacturing SMEs be involved? Connor Pearce reports. From October 8 to 10, 2019, the four lower exhibition floors of the ICC Sydney were filled with 21,241 attendees and 657 exhibitors from 22 countries, the largest number ever for the … Continue reading Building a sovereign industrial capability →

The latest recipients of the Accelerating Commercialisation grants have received $1.7 million in funding. The three businesses demonstrate how advanced manufacturing can have wider societal benefits. Gyder Surgical, from Victoria, received over $200,000 to commercialise their surgical navigation system for more precise hip replacement surgery, while Vernx Biotechnology, also from Victoria, received almost $600,000 to … Continue reading Medical and digital SMEs receive commercialisation boost →

Defence-related businesses may be eligible for a grant of up to $1 million to invest in projects that build capabilities aligned with Defence’s stated Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants aim to ensure Australian businesses have the capacity and resilience to support Defence’s most critical capabilities. The Centre for Defence Industry Capability … Continue reading Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants now available →

The federal government has awarded five Australian businesses contracts with a combined value of more than $12 million to further develop their innovative technologies to support the Australian Defence Force. Funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, the investments will see Sentient Vision Systems, a small Australian computer vision technology company, awarded a $5.5 million contract to … Continue reading Defence Innovation Hub contracts worth $12m awarded →