Objective
Maximise opportunities for Australian industry to participate in major investment projects and global supply markets in line with the Australian Industry Participation (AIP) National Framework.
Significance for Australia
International firms may be unaware of the capabilities of Australian industry, resulting in Australian firms being by-passed when contracts are awarded for major projects. Since its inception in 1997, the Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) Program has assisted Australian firms to win, according to the State based Industry Capability Network (ICN), more than $2 billion worth of contracts which might otherwise have gone to overseas competitors.
Departmental role and current achievements
For companies planning investment projects in Australia, the Department encourages the development and implementation of Australian Industry Participation (AIP) Plans. An AIP Plan enables a major project proponent to show how it provides full, fair and reasonable opportunity to Australian industry to participate in major projects. Companies implementing AIP Plans may be able to claim, through the Department, a duty concession on eligible goods for their projects under the Enhanced Project By-law Scheme (EPBS). In 2006 the EPBS was expanded to include major power supply and water supply projects.
The Department funds the Industry Capability Network Limited (ICNL) which provides national coordination of the State-based Industry Capability Network and manages the national database of industry capabilities and project opportunities. The Industry Capability Network promotes the capabilities of Australian industry and seeks to match buyers of goods and services with Australian suppliers. The Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) program is administered by ICNL on behalf of the Department. The SAMP program provides funds for networks and specialist consultants to work with project developers and Australian industry to identify and connect capable and competitive Australian companies to major projects.
Targets for 2008-09
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Support competitive Australian companies to build capability and increase access to a wider global market.
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Ensure, through the EPBS, SAMP and ICNL programs, that major developers are aware of the capabilities of Australian industry, especially small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Provide timely support for the delivery of the EPBS to maximise benefits to Australian industry.
For further information
Phone: +61 2 6213 6146
Web: www.innovation.gov.au
Web: www.icn.org.au
January 2009