Don’t miss these Government grants as 2022 wraps up

Funding:

$30 million available, 1:1 contributions, with an additional $4.75 million from the Western Sydney Investment Attraction Fund (for project based in Western Parkland City). No cap on maximum funding request.

Timing:  

Stage 1 applications now open.

1. Eligibility Applications: 8 December 2022 – 13 January 2023.
2. Detailed applications:  3 February – 2 March 2023.

Eligible applicants:

To be eligible for the Program, applicants must:

1. Be one of the following entities:
• A company incorporated in Australia;
• A company incorporated in another jurisdiction;
• An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust;
• An incorporated association; or
• A joint (consortia) with a lead organisation.
2. Be an entity that:
• Employs at least 20 FTE employees at the time of the application; and
• Has been operating for at least three years.
3. Be an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered entity or commit to register for an ABN.
4. Be registered for the purposes of GST or commit to register.
5. Hold a bank account with an Australian financial institution or commit to open one.

Eligible projects must:

1. Commit to creating a minimum of 20 ongoing net new FTE jobs in NSW or invest a minimum $3 million capital expenditure (excluding government funding) within NSW for the project.
2. Be in a priority industry, or industry that facilitates the use of core enabling technologies or can demonstrate that it would enable a focus precinct – see below for list.
3. Commence within 12 months of Funding Agreement.
4. Meet the employment or investment criteria in point one above within two years of the Funding Agreement.
5. Be able to contribute a minimum 50 per cent co-contribution of total project cost.
6. Demonstrate that the project would not proceed as proposed in NSW without government support.
7. Demonstrate that the project will lift NSW industry productivity.

NSW Industry Development Framework

1. Priority industries
   • Emerging industries – clean energy and waste; defence and aerospace; digital systems and software; medical and life sciences.
   • Existing industries – international education; visitor economy; agriculture and agrifood; resources
2. Core enabling technologies
   • Advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, digital technology including fintech.
3. Focus Precincts
   • Western Sydney Aerotropolis; Westmead Health and Innovation District; Tech Central; Renewable Energy Zones; Hydrogen Hubs; Special Activation Precincts; Regional Job Precincts.

Sub-program 1: Infrastructure Build Out Program

• Stream 1: Quantum Technologies Funding Stream
• Aim: support shared facilities, equipment and technical expertise and initiatives that would underpin quantum technologies.
• Funding: $500,000 to $10 million requests from a $10 million funding pool.

• Stream 2: General Funding Stream
• Aim: support shared facilities, equipment and technical expertise and initiatives; and support or enable NSW priority industries, technologies or focus precincts.
• Funding: $500,000 to $10 million requests from a $21 million funding pool.

Timing for both: EOIs now open and close 15 Feb 2023. Successful applicants will be invited to a Detailed Application process in April 2023.

Sub-program 2: National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Support Program

• Aim: NSW-based research and innovation infrastructure (facilities, equipment, resources and expertise) that will contribute to the following outcomes:
• Increase availability and use of open-access research and innovation infrastructure;
• Increase collaborative R&D and innovation in the NSW innovation community (academia, industry, government, non-gov organisations and students);
• Increase R&D output, translation and other commercial outcomes or contribute to a robust talent pipeline of technical skills and career pathways.
• Funding: $500,000 to $10 million requests from a $21.6 million funding pool in 2022-2023.
• Timing: Applications open now and close 15 Feb 2023.

Funding:

grants of up to $500,000 (up to 33% of eligible project expenditure) for Victorian based businesses to invest in new manufacturing capability. In-kind contributions are excluded (i.e. non-monetary resources). Funds from other Victorian or Commonwealth Government programs cannot form part of the co-contribution.

Timing:

Round 2 anticipated to open early 2023 (e.g. January 2023)

Eligible applicants:

1. Have an operating presence in Victoria;
2. Are currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain; OR
3. Demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain.
4. Employ at least 20 FTE* (full-time equivalent) staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million;
5. Agree to conduct the majority of proposed activities in Victoria.

Eligible projects include:

1. Purchase and commissioning of capital equipment
2. Manufacturing product and process improvements such as:
   • prototyping, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and
   • supply chain capability development.

Assessment criteria:

Your project will be assessed on the need for government support, number of sustainable FTE jobs created, and other benefits, capacity, and capability to successfully implement the project.

Further information based on Round 1 here.