AusIndustry Fact Sheet 

KEY POINTS

• AusIndustry is the Australian Government’s principal business program delivery division in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
• AusIndustry offers both entitlement and grant programs.  For a grants-based program, customers compete for limited funds, based on the merit of their application.  For entitlements-based programs, such as the R&D Tax Concession, a customer makes a claim, based on their self-assessed eligibility.  (See the AusIndustry Program Summary for more detailed information on these programs).
• AusIndustry’s aim is to increase the prosperity of all Australians through internationally competitive and sustainable business:
• through excellence in policy formulation and implementation;
• by excelling in business program and service delivery; and
• by being a respected source of knowledge through our understanding of the business environment and business networks.
• The Government has outlined its innovation agenda for Australia over the next decade in Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century.  Powering Ideas is supported by a $3.1 billion boost in funding over the next four years.   

FACTS AND FIGURES

• AusIndustry delivers a range of more than 30 business programs - including innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business development, industry support and venture capital to more than 12,000 businesses and about
  85,000 individuals per annum worth around $2 billion in funding and entitlements.
• AusIndustry delivers its business programs through its national network of State, Territory and Regional Offices. Staff are located in over 20 offices throughout Australia and are supported by the AusIndustry Hotline phone number 13 28 46 and our website at www.ausindustry.gov.au
• AusIndustry delivers programs that address:
• industry innovation, research, development and commercialisation;
• the structural adjustment of specific industry sectors;
• the ongoing development of a healthy small business sector; and
• activities designed to develop solutions to climate change challenges.
• AusIndustry customers and their representatives are innovative Australian businesses, researchers and investors looking for growth in Australia and in global markets through competitiveness, investment and technology.  Customers range from the largest multinational businesses to micro businesses. Customers include private individuals who access the LPG Vehicle Scheme and other programs designed to achieve broader societal and community benefits.
• AusIndustry’s major stakeholders are the portfolio Ministers, the Australian Parliament and the staff of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.  Other stakeholders include Innovation Australia, other government agencies, industry and research organisations, and the Australian public.
• AusIndustry works closely with Innovation Australia which is an independent statutory body established to assist with the administration of the Australian Government’s innovation and venture capital programs designed to support industry innovation and commercialisation.

Recent Activity

• The Small Business Online program has recently offered grants to providers to deliver ‘free or low cost; IT skills development, training and mentoring services to help small businesses develop skills to go online or upgrade their existing internet operations. Grants range from $50,000 to $700,000.
• The Australian Government’s Innovation Investment Follow-on Fund (IIFF) program has announced eleven fund managers will distribute a total of $64 million in government funding to assist 35 early stage companies to continue developing and commercialising their innovative technologies.
• The Green Building Fund an initiative that reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by supporting building owners to retro-fit commercial office buildings has offered a total of $11.6m to 30 applicants Australia-wide as part of the program’s fourth round.
• The Australian and Tasmanian Governments will deliver long term, sustainable employment with a $20 million package to stimulate innovation, investment and jobs in North West and Northern Tasmania. The assistance is delivered through AusIndustrty and the Regional Assistance Program - (RAP-Tas) by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
• The TCF Small Business Program is currently open for applications. A total of $2.5 million in grants will be made available to small businesses in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear sector.
• In January 2010, over $250,000 in grants were paid to individuals who have accessed the LPG Vehicle Sceme.