Grants in Education & Training

The Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI) is designed to provide financial assistance to employers of trainee and cadet seafarers, enabling them to secure berths for the mandatory sea time required to achieve STCW 1978 certification. The program aims to increase the availability of training berths for Australian trainees and cadets, address the critical skills shortage of STCW-certified seafarers, and support the implementation of Australia’s Strategic Fleet. By expanding access to sea time opportunities, the MSTI program seeks to enhance the supply of Australian seafarers certified to international STCW standards, strengthening the nation’s maritime capability and ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future.

The Defence and Research Teaming (DaRT) 2025 grant is a Western Australian Government initiative managed by the Defence Science Centre. It empowers defence personnel, academia and industry partners to collaborate on early-stage concepts within the Defence Capability Life Cycle. These projects must have participated in Exercise Western Dawn 2025 and align with defined innovation themes. Successful teams receive grants up to $200k to de‑risk technologies and mature ideas—ultimately enhancing ADF capability and building sovereign industry outcomes.

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 South Australian Government’s Enabling Infrastructure Program – Round 3 is part of the Thriving Regions Fund, designed to support regional communities through targeted infrastructure investment. With a total funding pool of $5 million for 2025–26, the program offers two distinct streams: Stream 1 for shovel-ready infrastructure projects and Stream 2 for infrastructure planning activities. Grants range from $50,000 to $1 million for infrastructure projects and $10,000 to $75,000 for planning initiatives. The program aims to strengthen regional communities by enabling infrastructure that improves quality of life, attracts and retains residents and businesses, and supports economic development. Projects must be investment-ready and demonstrate alignment with regional priorities. Applicants are required to contribute a minimum cash co-contribution, exclusive of other grant sources.

The Heritage Grants Program encourages investment in State Registered Heritage Places and supports key strategic objectives of the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

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 Ignite Ideas Fund offers funding for commercialising highly innovative products or services, at or beyond the minimum viable product stage. This fund serves as a companion program to the Advance Queensland Ignite Spark Program, which supports projects in advancing highly innovative products or services from prototype development through testing and validation to market readiness.

The Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Grant Program supports Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturing enterprises by funding productivity-enhancing activities. These include obtaining accreditations, expert advice, and developing staff and business skills, as part of the Tasmanian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2028.

The objective of the Local Capability Fund is to provide SMEs in Western Australia with financial support to enhance their capacity, capability and competitiveness in supplying major projects and markets, both in Australia and overseas.