Grants in Defence

The WA Defence Ready Initiative – Round 4 is a competitive grant program administered by Defence West within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Its purpose is to strengthen Western Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the defence sector by improving their capability, capacity, and competitiveness. The program supports businesses to become reliable suppliers of products, services, and works across all defence domains. By funding strategic improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development, the initiative aims to increase WA’s contribution to meeting Defence requirements and expand local industry participation in national and international defence supply chains.

The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund is a competitive grant program administered by Defence West to support Western Australian small and medium enterprises in building the capacity and capability needed to secure work within the AUKUS supply chain. The program focuses on Pillar 1, which involves components for conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and Pillar 2, which covers priority technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum technologies, advanced cyber, and undersea capabilities.

The Green Iron Investment Fund – National Development Stream supports early movers in establishing commercial-scale green iron production facilities across Australia. Its objectives are to de-risk early capital investments in green iron production, attract private investment into the industry, generate economic and employment benefits, and deliver community outcomes aligned with the Future Made in Australia Community Benefit Principles. The intended outcomes include transforming national, regional or local economies through the development of green iron capabilities, and contributing to emissions reduction across the steel value chain in line with Australia’s decarbonisation goals.

The Collaborative Research Grant (CRG) is a competitive funding initiative co-funded by the Western Australian Government and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). It supports cross-disciplinary collaboration between WA-based industry and academic institutions to develop technologies that are relevant to Defence and aligned with national strategic priorities.

The Queensland Government is ready to work with industry on strategic partnership opportunities that will accelerate development in our priority industries – Defence, Biomedical and Biofuels.

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.

NSW MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Ventures Program is committed to supporting startups and innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the product lifecycle, bridging the gap between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities. The program offers grants designed to accelerate the commercialisation of highly innovative products or processes. The Program aims to: support businesses in increasing the commercialisation of innovative products and processes in NSW, and attract and retain commercialisation activities within the state. The Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade will allocate up to $3 million annually for the Program until June 30, 2027.

The Defence Industry Tender Support Program supports Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturers and technology enterprises in securing specialist bid and tender writing consultants for defence tenders. As part of the Tasmanian Government’s Tasmanian Defence Industry Strategy 2029, the program offers $100,000 in funding for 2025 and another $100,000 in 2026. It provides up to 50% co-funding for businesses engaging external consultancy services to develop submissions for defence procurement opportunities.

The South East Queensland (SEQ) Innovation Economy Fund provides grant funding to stimulate investment in capital projects that fuel the growth of innovation precincts, driving the creation of more knowledge-intensive jobs.