Update: This grant has been replaced by The Defence Industry Development Grants Program (the program) which will award grants over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy. Learn More
The Government of Australia acknowledges the need for the Australian defence industry to expand beyond domestic requirements and tap into new markets to unleash its full potential for growth, innovation, and support for Defence's future needs. To achieve this objective, the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program has been launched, aiming to foster a stronger, more sustainable, and globally competitive Australian defence industry by providing support to eligible Australian Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in building their export capabilities.
The Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program will offer grants to eligible Australian SMEs, enabling them to overcome barriers to accessing export opportunities. These barriers include obtaining international certifications/accreditations and procuring and commissioning capital items. By addressing these challenges, the program aims to create a more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry, ultimately contributing to Australia's Defence capability needs.
"Australian defence industry has immense potential, and we recognise the importance of expanding its reach beyond domestic requirements. The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program will empower eligible Australian SMEs to enhance their export capabilities and establish a strong presence in international markets," said a spokesperson from the Government.
Under the grant opportunity, eligible Australian SMEs can receive grants ranging from $15,000 to $150,000, covering up to 50% of the cost of investing in projects that build their export capability. The maximum project duration allowed is 12 months.
To be eligible for the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant, businesses must hold an Australian business number (ABN) and be either a company incorporated in Australia or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust. Additional eligibility requirements apply, which can be found in the grant opportunity guidelines.
The supported project activities encompass a wide range of initiatives, including the acquisition, lease, construction, installation, or commissioning of capital equipment, including specialist software for enhancing cyber security. Moreover, businesses can engage in design, engineering, and commissioning activities, as well as workforce training and accreditations.
Australian defence exports, as defined in the Defence Export Strategy, encompass defence-specific or dual-use goods or services exported by Australian defence industry, including those integrated within a supply chain, intended for a defence or national security end-user.
Applications for Batch 5 of the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant are now open and will be accepted from 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2023.
About the Government of Australia: The Government of Australia is committed to supporting the growth and development of the nation's defence industry. Through initiatives such as the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant, the government aims to foster a globally competitive and sustainable defence industry ecosystem that can meet Defence's evolving needs. By enhancing export capabilities and expanding market access, the government seeks to unlock the full potential of the Australian defence industry.
The Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
Grants to help Australian businesses invest in projects that build their defence export capability.
Status:
This program is open for applications throughout the year. The assessment panel assess batched applications quarterly throughout the year.
What do you get?
A grant of $15,000 to $150,000 for up to 50% of the cost of investing in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry. The maximum project period is 12 months.
Who is this for?
Small to medium sized businesses with an Australian business number (ABN). The business must be either:
a company incorporated in Australia
an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
Other eligibility requirements apply.
How it works
You need to contribute 50% of the eligible project value.
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
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’.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible your business must:
have fewer than 200 employees
have an Australian business number (ABN)
be a company incorporated in Australia or be an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
You must also provide:
a project budget (you must use the template provided on business.gov.au)
a letter of support from each project partner (where applicable)
evidence from your Board (or Chief Executive Officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding
a trust deed (where applicable).
Who is excluded?
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’
an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)
an individual
a partnership
a trust (but an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
a government body at any level (including government business enterprise).
For more information on the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant, interested parties are encouraged to contact us now.
Haines Consulting Group is a management consultancy firm specialising in business strategy, growth, government grants and new venture developments. If you need any assistance with a grant submission please contact us now for a confidential conversation.
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