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 →

The federal government has launched its annual grants program for Australian small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in delivering the pipeline of projects enhancing the capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program makes available a total of $17 million in grants per year to eligible Australian SMEs with fewer than … Continue reading Federal government launches defence industry grants program for SMEs →

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Defence Council has signed MOUs with the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) and the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN National) to collaborate on developing the capacity of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the defence industry. The agreements will see the organisations work closely together in an effort to improve the … Continue reading Ai Group teams up with defence industry advocacy groups to boost SME participation →

The federal government has launched a $20 million program aimed at helping small and medium businesses grow, export and generate local Australian jobs. The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Export Hubs Initiative, initially announced in the 2018–19 federal Budget, will fund successful applicants to develop local and regional hubs that will help local firms begin … Continue reading Federal government launches export hubs program →

Australian science and technology will be front and centre in the ASEAN region as Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, formally launches its presence in Singapore today. The announcement coincided with Singapore-headquartered investment company, Temasek, becoming the third largest investor in the $232 million CSIRO Innovation Fund, managed by Main Sequence Ventures. The CSIRO Innovation Fund … Continue reading CSIRO launches ASEAN presence with Singapore node →

The Western Australian government has announced 23 local businesses as the winners of the 2018 Innovation Vouchers Program. The program, an initiative of the state government’s New Industries Fund, enables small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve their capability and commercialise their innovations through the support of the state government. The successful applicants, who were chosen … Continue reading WA provides innovation grants to local SMEs →