Government initiatives and assistance

The Government is implementing A New Car Plan for a Greener Future. This plan is assisting the industry to: prepare for a low carbon future; invest in the technologies of tomorrow; strengthen the local supply chain and increase international engagement.

It is a comprehensive plan and brings every player in the industry together in a partnership to reshape the industry and deliver enduring benefits to all Australians.

The Automotive Industry Innovation Council acts as an advisory body to the Minister and as an innovation advocate for the industry. 

Funding and assistance

The department delivers the Government's $5.4 billion A New Car Plan for a Greener Future that provides assistance to the automotive industry.  The plan includes:

  • Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS)
    The ATS is a ten-year legislated entitlement scheme which encourages competitive investment and innovation in the automotive industry. The ATS will provide over $3 billion in assistance to the industry between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020.
  • A $34 million co-investment grant for Ford Australia Limited.
  • A $215 million co-investment grant for GM Holden Limited.
  • Automotive New Markets Initiative (ANMI)
    ANMI is a $35 million initiative that assists the automotive industry develop new business opportunities domestically and internationally. The initiative runs over four years from 2012-13.   
  • Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program (AISAP)
    AISAP provided funding to facilitate structural adjustment within the supply chain (structural adjustment component) and training and assistance to displaced workers (labour adjustment component).
    • The structural adjustment component closed to applications on 31 March 2012.
    • A $15.6 million extension of the labour adjustment component provides support until 30 June 2017.
  • Automotive Supply Chain Development Program (ASCDP)
    ASCDP provides $20 million to strengthen capabilities in the automotive components sector and better integrate into local and global supply chains over the four years until 30 June 2013.
  • Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF)
    The GCIF was a competitive grants program that enhanced the research and development and commercialisation of Australian technologies that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles. This $500 million fund closed in January 2011.

  • LPG vehicle scheme enhancement 
    A $10.5 million expansion of the LPG vehicle scheme has doubled payments to purchasers of new private use vehicles that are factory fitted with LPG technology. This initiative is making new LPG vehicles more affordable and is administered by AusIndustry.

  • Automotive Market Access Program (AMAP)
    AMAP provided $6.3 million from July 2009 to 30 June 2012 to boost component suppliers’ access to global supply chains.
  • The Automotive Competitiveness and investment Scheme (ACIS)
    ACIS provided an estimated $1.5 billion to support competitive investment and innovation from 2008 to 31 December 2010, when it closed.  

Co-investment  

Contact

For further information please contact:

Automotive Programs
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
GPO Box 9839
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: +61 2 6276 1141
Email: auto@innovation.gov.au