Grants in Manufacturing

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 Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative helps NSW businesses and industries lead the transition to net zero by boosting competitiveness, attracting investment, and unlocking new growth opportunities. The Low Carbon Product Manufacturing (LCPM) stream supports clean manufacturing using low-carbon technologies.

The Renewable Manufacturing stream focuses on building strong local supply chains for renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). It is part of the NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, which underpins the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

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 Supply Chain Capacity Program supports Western Australian sheep producers and supply‑chain businesses to adjust to the phase‑out of live sheep exports by sea. Funded as part of the Australian Government’s transition assistance package, the program totals $40 million, delivered over two competitive rounds of $20 million each and administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC) with delivery by DPIRD. Grants are available for capital investments that expand capacity, efficiency and productivity across WA’s sheep supply chain. Two streams apply: producers can seek $50,000–$2.0 million for on‑farm finishing infrastructure, and processors can seek $50,000–$5.0 million to enhance processing capacity (e.g., lairage, ramps, cold stores, wastewater, heavy‑vehicle access, feedlots, and technology such as objective carcase measurement (OCM) including necessary software and training).

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.

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.