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Defence Industry Development Grants Program
Australian Government · Australia
The Defence Industry Development Grants Program provides funding to help Australian defence-related small to medium enterprises build sovereign capability, competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. It includes four streams: Sovereign Industrial Priorities, Skilling, Exports and Security.
Funding
$5K – $1M
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
up to 4 years
Location
Australia
Who Can Apply
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be registered for GST
• Have an account with an Australian financial institution
• Be non-income tax exempt
• Be a small to medium enterprise with fewer than 200 employees, or for the Skilling stream only, a Defence Industry Association
• Be an entity incorporated in Australia, a company limited by guarantee, or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• Have an eligible project and eligible expenditure
• Undertake the project in Australia
• Meet the minimum eligible expenditure for the chosen stream
• Complete the project by 2028-03-31
• For the Skilling stream, increase defence-related technical skills capacity or capability and use an eligible training delivery provider
• Not be an individual, partnership, overseas organisation, unincorporated association, government body, or ineligible trust structure
• Not be on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join
• If employing 100 or more employees, comply with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012
Applicants must be eligible entities with an eligible project and eligible expenditure. Eligible entities must have an Australian Business Number, be registered for GST, have an account with an Australian financial institution, be non-income tax exempt, and be either an SME with fewer than 200 employees or, for the Skilling stream only, a Defence Industry Association. Eligible legal structures include an entity incorporated in Australia, a company limited by guarantee, or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust. Ineligible applicants include individuals, partnerships, overseas organisations, unincorporated associations, trusts without an incorporated trustee, government bodies, organisations on the National Redress Scheme non-participation list, and employers with 100 or more employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. Projects must be undertaken in Australia, include eligible activities, meet the minimum eligible expenditure for the chosen stream, have a clear link to the grant objectives and outcomes, and be completed by 31 March 2028. Skilling stream projects must also increase defence-related technical skills capacity or capability and be delivered by an eligible training provider or qualified provider.
What's Funded
Projects undertaken in Australia that align with one of four streams: purchasing manufacturing plant and equipment for Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities, delivering defence-related skilling and training, overcoming export barriers and building export capability, or improving and maintaining security controls in priority defence areas.Expected Outcomes
Recipients are expected to strengthen Australia's defence industrial base, increase sovereign capability, improve workforce skills, expand defence export capability, and uplift or maintain security controls needed to support defence capability priorities.Key Information
Applicant Types
companytrustnon_profit
Stage
growthestablished
Funding Purposes
capital_expendituretrainingexportsustainabilityother
Keywords
defencemanufacturingexportssecurityskillingtrainingSMEsovereign capability
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Defence Industry Development Grants Program?
The Defence Industry Development Grants Program is a business grant offered by Australian Government in Australia, providing $5K – $1M in funding. The Defence Industry Development Grants Program provides funding to help Australian defence-related small to medium enterprises build sovereign capability, competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. It includes four streams: Sovereign Industrial Priorities, Skilling, Exports and Security.
2
How much funding does the Defence Industry Development Grants Program provide?
The Defence Industry Development Grants Program provides $5K – $1M in funding. The typical project duration is up to 4 years.
3
Who is eligible for the Defence Industry Development Grants Program?
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be registered for GST
- Have an account with an Australian financial institution
- Be non-income tax exempt
- Be a small to medium enterprise with fewer than 200 employees, or for the Skilling stream only, a Defence Industry Association
- Be an entity incorporated in Australia, a company limited by guarantee, or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
- Have an eligible project and eligible expenditure
- Undertake the project in Australia
- Meet the minimum eligible expenditure for the chosen stream
- Complete the project by 2028-03-31
- For the Skilling stream, increase defence-related technical skills capacity or capability and use an eligible training delivery provider
- Not be an individual, partnership, overseas organisation, unincorporated association, government body, or ineligible trust structure
- Not be on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join
- If employing 100 or more employees, comply with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012
4
When does the Defence Industry Development Grants Program close?
Applications close on 31 May 2026. This is a rolling program — new rounds may open.
5
What activities are funded?
Projects undertaken in Australia that align with one of four streams: purchasing manufacturing plant and equipment for Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities, delivering defence-related skilling and training, overcoming export barriers and building export capability, or improving and maintaining security controls in priority defence areas.
6
How do I apply for the Defence Industry Development Grants Program?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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