This area of the site provides a listing of some of the key programs and services delivered by the Department – as well as links to more detailed information about each of them.
Please note, however, that it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of our programs and services. If you are looking for a program or service that does not appear in this list, or for more detailed information, then please navigate to the relevant subject area within innovation.gov.au (from the red bar above) or visit the AusIndustry product information page.
Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme (ACIS)
The Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme is directed toward encouraging new investment and innovation in the Australian automotive industry.
Business Enterprise Centres
The Australian Government will provide $42 million over four years to fund the delivery of low cost small business advisory services through nominated Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) throughout Australia. Thirty six (36) BECs will be supported through this measure.
Climate Ready Program
Part of the Clean Business Australia initiative, the Climate Ready program encourages businesses to develop and commercialise products, processes and services that save energy and water, reduce pollution and use waste products in innovative ways.
Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET)
The Commercialising Emerging Technologies program provides a range of assistance to companies or individuals in order to help them commercialise innovative products.
Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program
The Cooperative Research Centres Program is aimed at transforming scientific innovations into successful new products, services and technologies. It incorporates a strong emphasis on the importance of collaboration between business and researchers to maximise the benefits of research.
Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP)
This program is aimed at increasing the supply of funding to the early‑stage venture capital sector in Australia through the introduction of an investment vehicle with flow-through taxation treatment and with no tax liability on the investment gains.
Enhanced Project By-Law Scheme (EPBS)
The Enhanced Project By-Law Scheme supports major investment projects in Australia, by providing relief from tariff duty for eligible goods for inclusion in projects where expenditure on capital goods is at least $10 million.
Enterprise Connect
Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government initiative that provides comprehensive support to Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them become more innovative, efficient and competitive. Enterprise Connect comprises two components – Manufacturing Centres and Innovation Centres. Together, they provide a national network of services and support for eligible SMEs to access expert, practical advice and support tailored to their individual firms.
Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund (GIIF)
The Australian and Victorian Governments and Ford Australia have announced a $24 million package to assist industry development in Geelong. Known as the Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund, the package supports new investment to create sustainable job opportunities in the Geelong region.
Green Building Fund
The Green Building Fund helps businesses make energy efficiency cost savings through retrofitting and retro-commissioning office buildings, and provides support to non-government bodies for building operator training and the development of energy operating and maintenance advisory guides.
Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF)
In November 2008, the Australian Government announced the Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF) as part of its A New Car Plan for a Greener Future. The $1.3 billion fund will provide assistance over ten years to design, develop and manufacture low-emission, fuel-efficient cars and components in Australia. Grants will be allocated through a competitive selection process that considers the innovative, technological, commercial and environmental merits of each proposal.
Help for Small Business on Legal Issues
This Legal Issues Guide for Small Business provides information about legal issues affecting small business, sources of assistance, and preventative measures.
Industry Cooperative Innovation Program (ICIP)
The Industry Cooperative Innovation Program is a merit-based grants scheme that seeks to encourage business-to-business cooperation on innovation projects that meet strategic industry needs and enhance productivity, growth and the international competitiveness of Australian industries.
Innovation Investment Fund (IIF)
This initiative stimulates investment (through venture capital funds) in small technology based companies in the early stages of their development. It also assists these companies to commercialise the outcomes of Australia's strong research and development capability.
International Science Linkages Program (ISL)
This program assists Australian scientists to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology. It is aimed at promoting Australian innovation, improving Australia's capacity to attract overseas R&D investment, and increasing the impact of Australian research.
Look Before You Lease
This booklet is designed to help people (particularly in small business) avoid the pitfalls associated with retail leasing. It gives warnings and checklists to help people decide how and when to ask for expert help when signing a new lease for a business location.
LPG Vehicle Scheme
The purpose of the LPG Vehicle Scheme is to encourage the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a transport fuel, and to provide an incentive for prospective buyers of private use vehicles to purchase new LPG vehicles or to convert an existing petrol or diesel vehicle to LPG.
Pharmaceuticals Partnerships Program (P3)
The Pharmaceuticals Partnerships Program is a $150 million five year competitive entry program, focused on increasing the level of high quality pharmaceuticals R&D and the number of partnerships between pharmaceuticals companies and the research sector.
Pre-Seed Fund
The aim of the competitive Pre-Seed Fund is to close the gap between promising scientific discoveries and their commercialisation (through venture capital funds), primarily by improving the management and entrepreneurial skills of public sector researchers and helping them to build links with the finance and business community.
R&D Tax Concession
The R&D Tax Concession is a broad-based, market driven tax concession which allows companies to deduct up to 125% of qualifying expenditure incurred on R&D activities when lodging their corporate tax return. A 175% Incremental (Premium) Tax Concession and R&D Tax Offset are also available in certain circumstances.
Research Block Grants
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research manages seven programs to support research and research training in Australian Higher Education Providers (HEPs).
Re-Tooling for Climate Change
This program is aimed at helping manufacturers improve their production processes, reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions. Through the program, grants will be available for initiatives such as investment in energy efficient tools, small scale co-generation plants and water recycling.
Science Connections Program
The key objectives of the Science Connections Program are to increase awareness of the important roles that science, technology and innovation play in Australian society and to stimulate greater interest and engagement among Australians in each of these fields.
South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund (SAIIF)
This discretionary grant program has total funding of $30 million (less administration costs) contributed by the Australian and South Australian Governments. It is designed to fund innovative job creation projects to strengthen South Australia's manufacturing and technology base. All industry sectors are eligible to apply, including the information technology and services sectors.
Successful Dispute Resolution
The Resolving Small Business Disputes: Six Steps to Successful Dispute Resolution kit aims to help small business resolve their disputes as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible, and to implement good business practice with respect to disputes that may arise.
Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) Program
This program provides funds for networks and specialist consultants to help project developers identify supply opportunities for Australian companies. It is aimed at expanding the opportunities for businesses to participate in major projects and increasing their access to global supply markets.
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Post-2005 Strategic Investment Program Scheme (TCF Post-2005 (SIP) Scheme)
This scheme aims to foster the development of sustainable, internationally competitive TCF manufacturing and design industries in Australia by providing incentives that promote investment and innovation. It is an entitlement program and provides incentives in the form of reimbursement grants.
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Corporatewear Register
The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Corporatewear Register allows employers to register non-compulsory occupational clothing, thereby avoiding liability for FBT and allowing employees to claim the cost of such clothing as a tax deduction.
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Expanded Overseas Assembly Provisions (EOAP) Scheme
The TCF EOAP provides duty concessions to firms who assemble garments and footwear overseas from predominantly Australian fabric and/or leather and then import them back into Australia for local consumption.
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Product Diversification Scheme (PDS)
This scheme assists clothing and finished textile manufacturers to internationalise their sourcing arrangements and complement their existing product range. It provides duty credit that can be used to offset duty payable on qualifying finished clothing or relevant finished textile articles.
Textile, Clothing and Footwear Small Business Program
This is a competitive grants program providing grants to small TCF businesses to improve their enterprise culture. It supports small businesses undertaking the design or production of TCF products as defined in the TCF Post-2005 (SIP) Scheme, but which do not qualify for a grant under that Scheme.
Tradex
The Tradex Scheme provides relief to persons or organisations through an up-front exemption from customs duty and GST on imported goods intended for export or to be used as inputs to exports. The Scheme removes the need to 'drawback' these charges after export.
Venture Capital Limited Partnerships Program (VCLP)
Registration in this program is available to new venture capital funds structured as a limited partnership and meeting certain requirements, including capital of at least $10 million for investment in Australian businesses with total assets not exceeding $250 million.
Working with Contracts
This guide (published in 2001) aims to assist small business managers in using contracts confidently and appropriately as a commercial tool. It has been specifically designed to familiarise small business managers with contracts – what constitutes a contract, what they contain, how to identify the key issues and avoid the major pitfalls.