Grants in Information Technology

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 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 Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program (MTAP) supports South Australian manufacturers in boosting productivity and global competitiveness. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for up to $50,000 in matched funding to adopt innovative Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, machine learning, data analytics, blockchain, AR/VR, additive manufacturing, IIoT, and optics.

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.

With a $20M funding pool, this initiative aims to support eligible businesses with high growth potential across advanced manufacturing, health and medical sectors, circular economy, digital technology, and agribusiness. By collaborating with commercial lenders, the fund will facilitate the establishment of loan facilities to empower innovative Victorian start-ups and scale-ups.

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 Digital Transformation Round is specifically designed to encourage eligible businesses to adopt transformational digital and data technologies that will improve their productivity, competitiveness, resilience, safety and/or sustainability. This is the third Digital Transformation Round and it introduces a second stream of funding, designed to encourage businesses to invest in larger-scale digital transformation projects.