Manufacturing Modernisation Fund Round 2

Round 2 of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund supports transformation in small and medium manufacturing businesses. It provides co-funded grants to transform manufacturing and to support job growth and a more highly skilled workforce.

Round 2 will run over 3 years (2020-21 to 2022-23) and supports transformative investments in technologies and processes including:

• buying, constructing, installing or commissioning of manufacturing plant and equipment
• integrating production-related software that is directly related to your capital investment
• relevant training and skills development to assist you to integrate the new technology into your business, including upskilling and accreditation in advanced processes.
• process design and engineering directly related to your capital investment
• fit-out, alterations and/or extensions to buildings directly related to your capital investment.

Amount Available: Co-funded between $100,000 and $1 million, up to 24% of expenditure
Closing Date: 21 January 2021

Biosecurity Innovation Program Grant

Through the Biosecurity Innovation Program (the Program) we are investing in innovative technologies and approaches to enhance Australia’s national biosecurity system to manage emerging biosecurity challenges and risks.

Industry plays an essential role in safeguarding Australia’s biosecurity. We’re looking to collaborate with innovators from the business sector, universities, and domestic and international research entities.

The Program will provide financial support for projects that could improve:

• biosecurity screening of goods and passengers
• biosecurity risk detection — for example, drone surveillance, artificial intelligence, robotics, next generation sequencing and new biological controls
• the effectiveness and efficiency of our national biosecurity system in a changing environment.

Amount Available: Dependent on requirements
Closing Date: 12 February 2021

Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI)

The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program funds initiatives that will deliver tangible improvements in road user, road and heavy vehicle safety.

It is recommended that submissions directly address one of the following three themes aimed at more closely aligning initiatives with the National Road Safety Strategy and associated state and territory road safety strategies, as well as the goals of the ongoing Heavy Vehicle National Law Review: Safer drivers; Safer vehicles; and Safer road use.

Amount Available: Dependent on requirements
Closing Date: 12 February 2021

International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM)

If you require to export high-value and time-sensitive perisable products and the current scheduled flights do not meet an exporter’s needs, the exporter may discuss their options with their freight forwarder and apply for grant assistance through IFAM. The grant can only be used for the purpose of partially offsetting the agreed increased cost of freight for export of the eligible products, resulting from COVID-19.

Amount Available: Dependent on requirement
Close Date: 14 February 2021

PPCA Sound Recording Partnership

he Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) and the Australia Council for the Arts will deliver a grant partnership, the PPCA Sound Recording Partnership.

This partnership will support five Australian artists or groups to create new sound recordings.

There are five grants of, $15,000 (ex GST) each, available.

Amount Available: $15,000
Close Date: 13 April 2021

Business Events Sector Grant

An expression of interest (EOI) for event owners to apply to have their event included on the Schedule of Approved Business Events is now open. This will then enable eligible businesses to apply for a grant to attend your business event.

It will empower not only the business events sector, where the required cancellation of events due to COVID-19 has seen a near 100 per cent loss of revenue, but also the broader business community by stimulating high value, multi-day business to business events across multiple sectors of the economy.

Amount Available: Dependent on requirement
Close Date: 26 February 2021

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

The Australian Government is extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, to include medium-sized businesses who had an apprentice in place on 1 July 2020.

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages paid until 31 March 2021. In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses will now be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

Amount Available: As Above
Closing Date: 31 March 2021

Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP)

The QASP program is delivered through three streams Arts Accelerate, Arts Activate and Arts Advantage.

The program invests in:

• the development and growth of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector in Queensland
• strengthening the Queensland arts and cultural sector’s connection with new audiences
• supporting artistic and non-artistic collaborations to develop innovative and quality arts and cultural experiences
• strengthening professional development and the creation of employment and training opportunities for Queensland’s small to medium arts and cultural sector

Amount Available: up to $30,000 (sole-funding) & up to $60,000 (co-funding)
Round 3: Open 15 Feb 2021 – Close 14 Mar 2021
Round 4: Open 01 Mar 2021 – Close 30 May 2021

Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund

The RISE Fund will provide targeted funding assistance for sector organisations seeking to restart, re-imagine or create new activities. The program is intended to assist by providing funding for the presentation of new or re-shaped cultural and creative activities and events including festivals, concerts and tours.

To be eligible, organisations must have, as their primary purpose, the arts and entertainment.
Amount Available: $75,000 to $2 million
Closing Date: 31 May 2021

Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

The Coronavirus Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Guarantee Scheme is supporting up to $40 billion of lending to SMEs (including sole traders and not-for-profits) by guaranteeing 50 per cent of new loans issued by participating lenders to SMEs.

The Scheme has now been extended and enhanced to support businesses in recovery and to enable continued support for SMEs facing the ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus. Phase 2 includes targeted amendments to the Scheme’s parameters to meet the evolving needs of SMEs. Phase 2 of the Scheme will continue to support lenders’ ability to provide credit and ensure that SMEs benefit from low interest rates.

Amount Available: up to $1 million
Closing Date: 30 June 2021

Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant

Funding for Australian businesses to build industrial capabilities that fit with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities for small to medium sized businesses with an Australian business number (ABN). The business must be a company incorporated in Australia or and incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust. Maximum grant period is 30 months.

Amount Available: From $70,000 to $1.4mil for up to 70% of the cost of the project
Closing Date: 30 June 2021

Defence Global Competitiveness Grant

Grants to help Australian small to medium businesses invest in projects that build their defence export capability. 

Project activities can include: buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security; design, engineering and commissioning activities; and workforce training and accreditations

The Defence export strategy defines Australian defence exports as ‘any defence-specific or dual-use goods or services exported by Australian defence industry, including as part of a supply chain, that are intended for a defence or national security end-user’.

Amount Available: From $24k to $240k for up to 80% of costs
Closing Date: 30 June 2021

Payroll Tax Rebate – Employment Growth

From 1 July 2019 until 30 June 2021, the Government is introducing a rebate of the payroll tax on additional employees that businesses can demonstrate they have employed over and above their level of full time employees. The rebate will be paid in the subsequent year and will be capped at $20,000 annually per employer.
Amount Available: Up to $20,000
Closing Date: 30 June 2021

Advanced Manufacturing Early Stage Research Fund (AMESRF)

The intent of the AMESRF is to support small-scale and pilot research projects in advanced manufacturing, and benefit smaller firms and early stage research. The fund will provide grants to SMEs for rapid initial feasibility testing, allowing the projects to then move quickly to larger-scale research or commercialisation.

Project participants must demonstrate the financial capacity to complete the project. This could be demonstrated through the provision of financial accounts during the EOI stage of the application process. The AMESRF grant will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage).

To be eligible the Applicant’s project must be industry led and involve collaboration with SMEs
Amount Available: from $100,000 TO $400,000
Closing Date: 30 June 2021

Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

Your business or Group Training Organisation may be eligible if:
• you engage an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021; and
• your Australian Apprentice or trainee is undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification and has a training contract that is formally approved by the state training authority.
How much is the subsidy?
• Eligible employers and Group Training Organisations will receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent of the Australian Apprentice’s or trainee’s gross wage paid.
• The wage subsidy is available for a maximum of $7,000 per quarter per eligible Australian Apprentice.
• The subsidy is available for wages paid from 5 October 2020 to 30 September 2021.

From 28 October 2020, your business or Group Training Organisation may be eligible to attract a subsidy for up to 30 existing workers who commence a non-trade Australian Apprenticeship on or after 28 October 2020 if they:
• move from casual employment to a part-time or full-time Australian Apprenticeship; or
• move from part-time employment to a full-time Australian Apprenticeship.

Amount Available: Maximum of $7,000 per quarter per eligible Australian Apprentice
Closing Date: 30 September 2021

Jobmaker Hiring Credits

A new incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged between 16 and 35.

The JobMaker Hiring Credit is paid every three months in arrears to employers with the following rates:
– $200 per week for each eligible employee aged 16 to 29.
– $100 per week for each eligible employee aged 30 to 35.

Each of your eligible additional employees must complete a JobMaker employee notice before you can nominate them. A completed notice verifies that your employee has declared they meet the eligibility requirements for you to receive the JobMaker Hiring Credit payment.

The JobMaker Hiring Credit for the first JobMaker period (7 October 2020 to 6 January 2021) can be claimed between 1 February 2021 and 30 April 2021. You will not be able to make a claim after this time.

An employer cannot claim JobKeeper and JobMaker Hiring Credit at the same time.

Amount Available: Employees 16-29: $200 per week. Employees 30 -35 $100 per week
Closing Date: 06 October 2021

Wage Subsidies

Wage subsidies are a financial incentive to encourage employers to hire eligible participants in ongoing jobs by contributing to the initial costs of hiring a new employee. 

Up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) is available for new employees who are: 15 to 24 years of age, Indigenous Australians, or 50 years of age and over.

Up to $6,500 (GST inclusive) is available for new employees who are: 25 to 29 years of age, parents, or registered with an employment services provider for 12 months or more.

Closing Date: no current end date

New Business Assistance with NEIS

New Business Assistance with NEIS provides support to people interested in starting their own business or who need help to refocus an existing micro-business.

Closing Date: no current end date

GoProto AM Boost Program – 3D printing

The AM Boost program will fund the 3D printing costs of the first round of prototyping for new products of eligible start-up companies. Capped at $2,000 (ex GST) per company this will give start-ups the boost needed to help them through the commercialisation process.

Amount Available: $2,000 of 3D prototype printing
Closing Date: No current closing date

Playing QLD Fund

The Playing Queensland Fund (PQF) supports the delivery of performing and visual arts projects by Queensland artists and organisations that are ready to tour and have demonstrated community interest and confirmed demand.

PQF includes support for touring arts and education activities, and artists in residence projects targeted at schools and kindergartens in regional Queensland.

Amount Available: Up to $20,000 for an artist, Up to $150,000 total per application. Major Performing Arts Organisations can apply for up to $150,000 per year or up to $300,000 over 2 years
Closing Date: No current closing date, must apply at least 12 week before tour commences

Research and Development Tax Incentive

The Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&D Tax Incentive or R&DTI) helps to offset some of the costs you put into eligible R&D, which benefits the wider Australian economy.

Amount Available: Tax Offset
Closing Date: No current closing date

New Business Assistance with NEIS

This program, formerly known as New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS), aims to support individuals who are interested in running a small business.

The program can help by providing:
– Accredited small business training.
– Personalised mentoring and support from a NEIS provider in the first year of the new business to help put the business idea into practice.
– Income support for up to 39 weeks (NEIS Allowance) and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks (if eligible).

Amount Available: Income support for up to 39 weeks & NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks
Closing Date: No current closing date

Advance QLD Industry Attraction Fund (AQIAF)

AQIAF seeks to bring contestable projects to Queensland in order to drive job creation, regional growth, increased innovation and technology and supply chain development. A contestable project is where there is at least one other viable, alternative international or Australian project site to the Queensland location under active consideration.
Amount Available: Depedent on Application
Closing Date: No current closing date

CSIRO Kick Start Grant

Provides matched funding for start-ups and small to medium enterprises to help access CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow your business. For example research a new idea with commercial potential, develop a novel or improved product or process, or test a novel product or material.
Amount Available: Matched funding between $10,000 and $50,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

Youth Boost Payment

Youth Boost Payments of up to $20,000 are available to eligible employers who hire an unemployed young jobseeker in Moreton Bay region. Payments are made directly to the eligible employer in three parts over 12 months. The jobseeker must be previously unemployed (minimum four weeks) and aged between 15-24 years.

Amount Available: $20,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

Business Development Fund

The Business Development Fund (the Fund) is the Queensland Government’s $80 million angel and venture capital funding available to Queensland businesses. The intention of the Fund is to support the growth of innovative businesses and the creation of high-value jobs as well as attract both interstate and international investments in Queensland, thereby strengthening Queensland’s entrepreneurial and start-up eco-system.

The Fund may invest between $125,000 and $2.5 million (matched by the co-investor/s) in a Queensland business in order to turn ideas and innovations into a commercial reality. Note, the Fund’s investment is a direct investment in the business, and is not a payment to the co-investor, a grant or a loan. Both the fund and co-investor are shareholders in the business. The Fund invests on the same equity terms as the co-investor.

Amount Available: From $125,000 to to $2.5 million
Closing Date: No current closing date

National Work Experience Programme

Businesses may be eligible to receive an incentive payment of $300 for hosting a National Work Experience Programme candidate, and if participants are offered ongoing employment after the placement, businesses may also be eligible for a wage subsidy. Unpaid placements with businesses for up to four weeks, to a maximum of 25 hours per week.
Amount Available: $300 plus unpaid employee for up to 4 weeks (insured by Government)
Closing Date: Applications may be made at any time

Industry Tech Fund (ITF)

The ITF aims to deliver a transformative ‘step change’ that speeds the emergence of new products and/or services based on a platform technology, or the convergence of platform technologies, with global potential across 1 or more industry sectors.

These industry sectors include the 6 Advance Queensland priority sectors:

• advanced manufacturing
• aerospace
• biofutures
• biomedical and life sciences
• defence
• mining equipment, technology and services.

Initiatives in other industry sectors and key Queensland industries such as education, tourism, health and community services, and agriculture will also be considered.

Amount Available: 25% of Project funding from $250,000 to $5 million
Closing Date: Applications may be made at any time

Adult Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Programme

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program provides employers with incentives to employ an apprentice.
Amount Available: $750 to $4000
Closing Date: No current end date

Advancing Renewables Program

The Advancing Renewables Program provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies. The Advancing Renewables Program aims to fund projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes: reduction in the cost of renewable energy; increase in the value delivered by renewable energy; improvement in technology readiness and commercial readiness of renewable energy; reduction in or removal of barriers to renewable energy uptake or increase in skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy.
Amount Available: Matched funding between $100,000 and $50 Million
Closing Date: Applications can be made at any time.

Stream two: resource recovery project fund

Broad incentives to attract or expand major resource recovery operations that will divert significant amounts of waste from landfill, reduce or prevent stockpiling and recover substantial resources, Stream two applications are a two-stage process, beginning with an expressions of interest.
Amount Available: Dependent on project
Closing Date: Applications can be made at any time.

Stream three: resource recovery investment pipeline fund

Support toward capital intensive, long lifecycle projects that require a contribution towards investigations to assist with investment decisions for Queensland. Stream three applications are a single-stage process with applications accepted at an time.
Amount Available: Dependent on project
Closing Date: Applications can be made at any time.

Employer Support Payment

Provides Moreton Bay Region employers with a three part incentive payment, to the total of $15,000, for hiring a jobseeker (aged 25 years or over) that has been previously unemployed for 52 weeks or more. The $15,000 is paid in three payments.

The program is not a wage subsidy. 

Amount Available: $15,000
Closing Date: Applications may be made at any time

Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Grants Program

Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Grants provide businesses servicing the defence sector with upskilling and training opportunities to build skills capacity and capability to meet current or future Defence needs.

Who is this for?

Amount Available: From $5,000 to $500,000
Closing Date: Ongoing

Roddenberry Catalyst Fund Grant

The Catalyst Fund makes grants between $2,500–$15,000 to anyone, anywhere in the world who has an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges.
Amount Available: From $2,500 to $15,000
Closing Date: No current close date

ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM

RESEARCH MY INNOVATION

Innovation Connections

Innovation Connections assists businesses to understand their research needs, connect with the research sector and fund collaborative research projects. There are two phases: 1. Innovation Connections Facilitation with which you receive a Service Report that helps you understand your business’s research needs and opportunities and; 2. Innovation Connections Grant, which you must apply for within 12 months of receiving the Service Report, that allows you to undertake a research project based on the report. 

You must be in one of the following growth sectors: advanced manufacturing; food and agribusiness; medical technologies and pharmaceuticals; mining equipment, technology and services; or oil, gas and energy resources. Additionally, businesses that provide enabling technologies and services to the above growth sectors are also eligible to apply. Your business’s annual turnover or operating expenditure in 1 of the last 3 financial years must be between $1.5 million and $100 million

Amount Available: Up to $50,000
Closing Date: Ongoing

COMMERCIALISE MY PROJECT

Accelerating Commercialisation

Accelerating Commercialisation provides small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers with access to expert advice and funding to help get a novel product, process or service to market. 

You can submit an expression of interest for Commercialisation Guidance at any time. After receiving guidance, you may be eligible to apply for an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant.

Amount Available: Up to $1,000,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

FUND MY INCUBATOR

Incubator Support

Provides new and existing incubators with funding to help start-ups develop the capabilities to succeed in international markets. This is for Australian incubators supporting start-ups, including those with first-generation migrant and refugee founders, to help them achieve commercial success in international markets.

Amount Available: Matched Funding from $13,000 to $250,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

Incubator Support – Expert in Residence

Expert in Residence provides incubators with funding to gain new skills and expertise and help start-ups to succeed in international markets. This is for Australian incubators that provide services to start-ups to help them achieve commercial success in international markets.

Amount Available: Matched Funding from $5,000 to $100,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

GROW MY BUSINESS

Growth Roadmap

Do you have a turnover of over $1.5 million and are looking for opportunities to grow your business? The Growth Roadmap provides an experienced facilitators, for one year, to come to your business and work with you on a business growth plan and mentor you to action the plan . You will also have the opportunity to apply for the Growth Grant for funding to action the facilitator’s recommendations. 
Amount Available: Receive a roadmap for growth and opportunity to apply for Growth Grant Funding
Closing Date: No current closing date

High Growth Accelerator

Do you have a turnover of over $1.5 million and are looking for opportunities to grow your business? Are you in the at least one of the five specified growth sectors: freight & logistics; infrastructure related construction & services; information & communications technologies; digital technologies; or professional services? You would receive an experienced facilitators, for up to two year, to come to your business and work with you to develop a growth plan to help you realise an Australian and/or overseas growth opportunity. They’ll then mentor you as you action your plan. You will also have the opportunity to apply for the Growth Grant for funding to action the facilitator’s recommendations. 
Amount Available: Receive a roadmap and mentoring for growth and opportunity to apply for Growth Grant Funding
Closing Date: No current closing date

SMART Projects and Supply Chains

Do you have a turnover of over $1.5 million and are looking for opportunities to grow your business? Are you in one of the five specified growth sectors: advanced manufacturing; food & agribusiness; medical technologies & pharmaceuticals; mining equipment; technology & services; or oil, gas and energy resources? The SMART Projects and Supply Chains service provides businesses with access to strategic or high-value projects that increase business capability, meet the specific needs of a market opportunity, or otherwise improve business performance and leadership capacity. You would receive a facilitator who will provide advice, guidance, and network connections, and you may also be able to access a matched Growth Grant of up to $20,000 to action recommendations from your participation in the project.
Amount Available: As above and opportunity to apply for Growth Grant Funding
Closing Date: No current closing date

Growth Grant

Matched funding to implement recommendations from your Growth Roadmap. You must submit your application within 1 year of receiving your roadmap or plan.
Amount Available: Matched funding between $2,500 and $20,000
Closing Date: No current closing date

SUPPORT

Ecobiz

Through this free program CCIQ help businesses understand energy, water and waste costs and teach you to save money through sustainability initiatives. As a member of the program, you will have the opportunity to utilize our complimentary tools including: One-on-one coaching, site surveys and benchmarking support (including expert bill and expenditure assessment). Aside from these, you also have access to CCIQ suite of materials including found under hot topics, including fact sheets, webinars and our monthly newsletter to help you cut your power bill and gain water and waste management advice.
Closing Date: No current closing date

Mentoring for Growth

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.
Closing Date: No current closing date

Tradestart

The prime objective of Austrade’s TradeStart network is to assist small and medium sized exporters to achieve long term success in international markets  It offers exporters the combined resources of Austrade and each partner organisation, providing local assistance and a direct link to Austrade’s services and overseas network.
Closing Date: No current closing date

Australian Trusted Trader

Australian Trusted Trader provides businesses involved in importing and exporting with an accreditation to streamline and simplify customs processes.
Closing Date: No current closing date

Injury Prevention and Management (IPaM)

Works with management to improve health and safety, and rehabilitation and return to work outcomes.
Closing Date: No current closing date

Free Apprenticeships for Under 21s QLD

Provides QLD businesses with fee-free apprenticeships when they employ an existing or new apprentice or trainee who is under 21 years of age in a priority qualification.  ‘Free’ means the Queensland Government will cover the full cost of training undertaken with a training provider. This is on top of the other possible incentives already available to support you taking an apprentice or trainee on. These include: The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program; The Queensland Government’s Back to Work program

Amount Available: No cost for apprentice training
Closing Date: No current closing date

Business Energy Advice Program

Closing Date: No current closing date

Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)

Amount Available: Dependent on requirements
Closing Date: No current closing date