Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries
Tasmania's advanced manufacturers are among the best in the world and the Tasmanian Government is supporting them to innovate, expand and create jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is investing $10 million in the sector over the next three years to provide programs that support growth and to implement the Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan. This Plan is focused on developing and attracting a highly-skilled workforce, the adoption of leading-edge design and technologies, and greater market identification, access and industry promotion.
This includes launching our Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants program, and our Tender Incentive Program, in line with our plan for our first 100 days.
We have committed $3 million over two years for the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants program to assist Tasmanian manufacturers to become more competitive, resilient and able to scale up to better compete in global markets.
This program encourages advanced manufacturers to invest in new equipment that will allow them to enter new markets and increase employment opportunities for Tasmanians.
Grants of between $10,000 and $100,000 are available to Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturers with annual sales turnover of between $500,000 and $20 million.
The grants can provide up to 50 per cent contribution towards the purchase of capital equipment and funding is offered on the basis of applicants contributing at least 50 per cent of the project cost. Funding will be allocated through four competitive funding rounds over the next two years, with the first round expected to open to applications in early August 2021.
The Tender Incentive Program will provide $600,000 over the next two years to support advanced manufacturers to engage professional bid and tender writing services to prepare defence and other specialist tenders.
The program is open to Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturers with annual sales turnover of between $300,000 and $20 million. Two levels of assistance are available depending on the value of the procurement.
The grants can provide up to 50 per cent contribution towards the cost of engaging specialist consultants to support specialist tender preparation. Funding is offered on the basis of applicants contributing at least 50 per cent of the project cost.
Tasmania's defence industry was awarded 23 defence and national security supply contracts in 2019-20 with a total value in excess of $32 million, and the Australian Government invested $1.5 million through grants funding to Tasmanian companies working in the defence industry.
There are billions of dollars' worth of defence contracts up for grabs and Tasmania has many highly capable, niche advanced manufacturing businesses. The Tender Incentive Program is designed to encourage Tasmanian advanced manufacturers to think big and give them the best chance to secure lucrative tenders in these highly specialised fields.
