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This grant has expired and is no longer available. However, please contact Avant Group in case there are alternative grants available or to be informed if this grant will reopen.

Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund (DAID)

  • Round 4 for this fund is now closed.
  • A new round is expected to open sometime in FY26.

The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development (DAID) Fund provides targeted financial assistance to eligible Queensland small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the defence, aerospace or space sectors.

Key Requirements

This program supports Queensland SMEs to acquire recognised certification to help them participate in new or existing supply chains in the defence, aerospace and space industries.

The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund (DAID) has been established to support Queensland SMEs who are currently (or have previously) supplied to the defence, aerospace or space sectors, to acquire internationally recognised certification(s), which will assist them in undertaking new opportunities.

What is eligible for funding?

Financial assistance from a minimum of $5,000 (excluding GST) up to a maximum of $30,000 (excluding GST) in matched funding (up to 50 per cent funding) will be awarded to approved applicants.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander businesses may apply for up to 75 per cent funding.

Financial assistance will be provided to reimburse approved applicants for eligible costs paid by the applicant upon provision of satisfactory evidence of payment to the Department.

All approved applicants are:

  • required to provide a cash contribution equal to at least 50 per cent of total eligible costs (25 per cent for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander businesses); and
  • permitted to apply for financial assistance from the DAID Fund for up to three eligible

certifications.

Eligible certifications, activities, and costs

Applicants may seek DAID Fund assistance for a maximum of three certifications per funding round from the list of eligible certifications in the table below. Applicants seeking DAID Fund assistance for more than one certification must list their proposed certifications in order of priority as approved applicants may not receive DAID Fund assistance for all proposed certifications.

What companies are eligible for funding?

To be eligible to apply, an applicant must:

  • be an SME (i.e. a business with less than 200 employees);
  • have business premises located in Queensland where its products, services or systems relevant to the defence, aerospace or space supply chains or AUKUS Pillar II capability are produced and/or delivered;
  • be registered for GST;
  • have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • provide evidence of:

− current participation in defence, aerospace, or space supply chains; or

− an AUKUS Pillar II capability (undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, artificial

intelligence and autonomy, advanced cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic

capabilities and electronic warfare).

  • be able to fund at least 50 per cent of eligible costs (25 per cent if an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business) and 100 per cent of all other costs associated with obtaining the certification, including ineligible costs; and
  • be a company incorporated in Australia or a trustee company incorporated in Australia on behalf of a trust.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.