Financial assistance

AusIndustry is the Australian Government's principal business program within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. AusIndustry provides a range of incentives for Australian businesses to invest, innovate and be internationally competitive. AusIndustry products cover a range of industry sectors and business needs delivered in the form of innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business development, industry support and venture capital. This link does not mean that AusIndustry endorses this site or its content.

Eligibility criteria

AusIndustry is an Australian Government agency. There may be some eligibility requirements to participate in or access various AusIndustry programs.

For more information visit AusIndustry

Austrade ICT is the Australian Government's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry network.

This site provides information to Australian technology companies looking to internationalise. Information is available on export ready programs, international market opportunities, assistance programs, as well as many other useful topics.

Eligibility criteria

Austrade is a statutory agency under the umbrella of the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no eligibility criteria for accessing Austrade ICT.

For more information visit the Austrade ICT website.

ASX operates Australia's primary national stock exchange for equities, derivatives and fixed interest securities. It also provides comprehensive market data and information to a range of users.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Visit the ASX at www.asx.com.au

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation has developed a number of online directories to promote Queensland industry sectors including: aviation and defence, biotechnology, marine, fibre composites, food manufacturers, environmental technologies and services and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Eligibility criteria

Click here to access the online directories

Provides information on Australia's foreign and trade policy as well as important travel advisories.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Go to www.dfat.gov.au

If you are an eligible job seeker and are interested in starting and running a small business, you may be able to access assistance through NEIS. The program can provide you with accredited small business training, business advice and mentoring, as well as ongoing income support for up to 52 weeks.

NEIS is one of the Australian Government's longest running employment activities, and has helped more than 100,000 people develop new, viable small businesses around Australia.

Eligibility criteria

To participate in NEIS, you must be registered with a Job Services Australia provider who can advise on eligibility criteria.

Click here for more information.

The R&D Tax Concession is the principal Commonwealth Government initiative to increase the amount of research and development (R&D) undertaken in Australia.  Under this tax concession companies can claim a deduction from their taxable income of up to $1.25 for every dollar spent on research and development activities. Companies must be registered with Innovation Australia in order to claim the concession.

Note: This program will be replaced by the R&D Tax Credit and the bills to establish the new scheme were passed by parliament on 24 August 2011. Applications will be available after the guidelines have been finalised. Fore more information visit the website.

Eligibility criteria

All companies incorporated in Australia and undertaking R&D are eligible to apply for registration for the R&D Tax Concession. Annual registration of a company's R&D activities is a prerequisite for claiming the Tax Concession.

R&D Tax Offset and 175 per cent Premium (Incremental) Tax Concession are also available.

The R&D Tax Offset is available for companies whose R&D expenditure exceeds $20 000 per income year and that have:

• annual group turnover is less than $5 million
• grouped expenditure of up to $1 million for an income year between 2001-02 and 2008-09,
• grouped expenditure on R&D undertaken in 2009-10 that is up to $2 million.

A 175 per cent Premium (Incremental) Tax Concession is available for additional investment in R&D. To be eligible, companies must increase their R&D expenditure (excluding plant related expenditure) during the year above a base level determined by their average expenditure over the previous three years.

For more information visit AusIndustry R&D Tax Concession or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.

The Smart Futures Fund is a Queensland Government initiative to support collaborative projects, skills development and innovative research throughout the State.  The Smart Futures Fund will stimulate cutting-edge research projects and attract top-quality scientists to Queensland to utilise Queensland's world-class research facilities.

Eligibility criteria

There are several grant programs under the Smart Futures Fund, each having different eligibility criteria.

Visit Smart Futures Fund for more information.

VCLP is an entitlement program that provides new venture capital funds and their foreign investors with exemption from capital gains tax on eligible investments.

The program is aimed at increasing foreign investment in the Australian venture capital sector.

Eligibility criteria

ICT businesses which have less than $250 million in assets may be able to access venture capital from funds registered under VCLP.

For eligibility criteria and more information, visit the VCLP website.