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

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government agency that helps Australian companies to succeed in international business, attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promote Australia's education sector internationally.

Austrade is represented in more than 100 overseas locations in over 55 countries and through a network of offices in Australia. Austrade offers practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support (including financial) to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets. Austrade also provides advice and guidance on overseas investment and joint venture opportunities, and helps put Australian businesses in contact with potential overseas investors.

Eligibility criteria

Austrade is a statutory agency under the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There may be eligibility requirements to participate in or access various Austrade programs.

For more information visit Austrade.

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

ICT is a priority industry sector under the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) scheme. Incentives are available for progressive businesses with significant growth potential within Queensland. Applications are particularly encouraged from groups of businesses working on a collaborative project. The scheme aims to achieve transformation through providing funds to projects that will support:

• innovation
• increasing productivity
• exporting for growth
• building regional strengths.

Eligibility criteria

A business is eligible if it:

• operates or intends to operate in a priority industry sector
• has an established operating base in Queensland
• has been trading for at least the last two years
• has an Australian Business Number (ABN) and is registered for GST
• is able to provide funds equal to any incentive awarded from its own financial resources (not in-kind).

A project is eligible if it:

• demonstrates the potential to contribute to transformation in a priority industry sector
• demonstrates the benefits will be realised in Queensland, not interstate or overseas
• is linked clearly to the business's plan
• is supported by a fully costed project plan.

For full details visit Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI).

Commercialisation Australia is the Australian Government's primary source of assistance for commercialisation and is delivered by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Commercialisation Australia is a merit based, competitive assistance program that offers:

• Skills and Knowledge support to help build the skills, knowledge and connections required to commercialise new ideas. This includes up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services.
• Experienced Executives: up to $200,000 over two years to engage experienced executives
• Proof of Concept grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a product, process or service
• Early Stage Commercialisation repayable grants of $250,000 to $2 million to develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

Eligibility criteria

The program is available to universities, other public sector research organisations, individuals and private enterprises.

For further information visit Commercialisation Australia.

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

ESVCLP is an entitlement program for fund managers seeking to raise a new venture capital fund of at least $10 million and not more than $100 million for investing in Australian businesses.

Registration entitles a fund to flow-through tax treatment and its investors (whether resident or ESVCLP is an entitlement program for fund managers seeking to raise a new venture capital fund of at least $10 million and not more than $100 million for investing in Australian businesses.

Registration entitles a fund to flow-through tax treatment and its investors (whether resident or non-resident) receive a complete tax exemption on their share of the fund's income (both revenue and capital).
The program aims to stimulate Australia's venture capital sector by making a world-class investment vehicle for early-stage investment available to fund managers.
A number of registered ESVCLP funds target ICT investments.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, an early stage business must fulfil the following criteria:

• is an Australian business in its early stage of development
• complies with the ESVCLP's approved investment plan
• has total assets less than $50 million
• predominant activity is not property development, land ownership, finance or construction
• is not listed on the stock exchange

Click here for more information

Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government initiative in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research that provides support and services to eligible small-medium enterprises through its Manufacturing and Innovation Centres.

Services include business reviews, access to business advisors, tailored advisory services and grants to engage consultants to implement improvements identified in business reviews.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria include:

• possess an ACN and be solvent
• meet the relevant turnover or expenditure thresholds
• have filed a BAS for three consecutive years
• be a manufacturing and/or a manufacturing related service firm. Firms whose predominant business activity is software development or computer system design and related services are also eligible
• have not received similar assistance from other Government (Australian, State or Territory) programs within the past three years
• comply with its obligations under the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999. Note: The EOWWA currently applies to organisations with 100 or more employees.

For application information and full eligibility criteria go to Enterprise Connect. 

EFIC is the Australian Government's export credit agency, assisting exporters to overcome financial barriers to growth. EFIC provides Australian exporters with loans, guarantees, bonds and insurance solutions beyond what is available in the commercial market. EFIC is a self-funding organisation that is wholly owned by the Australian Government.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants seeking EFIC assistance must satisfy strict eligibility criteria and be capable of fulfilling specific obligations.

For application information and eligibility criteria go to www.efic.gov.au  or contact EFIC on 1800 887 588.

EFIC Headway Working Capital Guarantee is a guarantee from EFIC to a bank to provide additional working capital for small to medium sized businesses to pursue export growth plans without the need of additional security 

Eligibility criteria

Applicants for EFIC Headway are subject to eligibility criteria assessed by participating banks.

For more information about EFIC Headway and eligibility criteria visit the website or contact EFIC on 1800 093 724.

The EMDG scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program administered through Austrade for aspiring and current exporters.

The scheme reimburses up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses, less the first $20,000, up to a total $200,000. First-time applicants can combine the last two financial years' expenses to meet the $20,000 threshold.

Eligibility criteria

EMDG is open to any Australian individual, partnership, company, association, co-operative, statutory corporation or trust that has carried on export promotion activities during the year for which they wish to apply for an export grant.

Click here for eligibility criteria and for more information.

Commencing 2009-10, the $1.1 billion GCIF provides assistance over ten years to Australian companies for projects that enhance the research and development and commercialisation of Australian technologies that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles.

Grants are provided at a ratio of $1 of government funding for every $3 of eligible expenditure contributed by the grantee.

Eligibility criteria

The program is delivered under two streams, one for Motor Vehicle Producers and one for applicants that are not Motor Vehicle Producers.

Click here for more information about eligibility criteria.

The Queensland-Wide Innovation Network (Q-WIN) integrates and enhances existing innovation and commercialisation services, providing resources and facilitation linkages for the network across Queensland.

Q-WIN also supports businesses through:

• Innovation coaches - providing intensive coaching to help eligible businesses and industry to innovate
• Regional innovation support funding - assisting regional clients to access services in Southeast Queensland
• The Innovation Toolbox - providing an on-line roadmap and directory to help businesses navigate their way through innovation programs and services.
  
  

Eligibility criteria

For more information visit the Q-WIN website.

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.

Administered by AusIndustry, the business arm of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Tradex aims to strengthen the international competitiveness of Australian business in export markets.

The Tradex Scheme allows an importer to gain an up-front exemption from Customs duty and GST on eligible imported goods that are intended for export. The Scheme removes the need to drawback these charges after export.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Tradex you must comply with certain requirements including:

• The goods you intend to import under Tradex must be exported or incorporated in other goods or used in manufacturing other goods that are exported.
• Export of imported goods must take place within one year of importation, or within a further period of time approved by AusIndustry.
• Records must be kept of all goods imported and exported under Tradex, including any manufacturing records that show how the imported goods were incorporated in other goods that were exported.

Find out about the eligibility criteria and more information or call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.

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.