GO6902: Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Skilling 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 Skilling stream helps Australian defence industry to upskill and train in priority trade, technical and professional skillsets to develop a workforce with the right mix of qualified and experienced personnel to meet Defence requirements.

The program will enhance the capacity and capability of Australian defence industry workforce to deliver 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 or a Defence Industry Association (DIA); 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.

Projects must be delivered in Australia, include eligible activities, have at least $10,000 in eligible expenditure, and have a maximum project period of 24 months (must be completed by 2028-03-31).

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

For applications requesting more than $50,000, an accountant declaration (template on business.gov.au / GrantConnect) evidencing capacity to fund the applicant share of project costs is required.