GO6891: Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Sovereign Industrial Priorities Stream

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program (the program) will award grants over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28.

The program was announced as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds four distinct grant opportunity streams tailored to address the program outcomes: Sovereign Industrial Priorities Skilling Exports Security.

The Sovereign Industrial Priorities stream will assist eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase manufacturing plant and equipment which is used directly to develop and/or deliver programs that are in line with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

To be eligible an applicant must be an SME with fewer than 200 employees, have an Australian Business Number (ABN), be registered for GST, have an account with an Australian financial institution, be non-income-tax-exempt, and be one of: an entity incorporated in Australia, a company limited by guarantee, or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.

Joint (consortia) applications are acceptable with a lead eligible organisation.

Applicants must provide an accountant declaration (template provided) confirming they can fund their share of project costs (including any ineligible costs).

The grant will fund up to 50% of eligible expenditure and applicants cannot use Commonwealth, state, territory or local government sources to fund their required share.

Projects must be undertaken in Australia, have at least $100,000 in eligible expenditure, have a maximum project period of 24 months and be completed by 2028-03-31.