Streamline

AusIndustry

AusIndustry is the Australian Government's principal business program delivery division in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. AusIndustry delivers about $2 billion to more than 10,000 businesses and 80,000 individuals every year.
AusIndustry has a range of more than 30 business programs, including:

• Innovation grants
• Tax and duty concessions
• Small business development
• Industry support
• Venture capital

To find out morecall the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, or visit Ausindustry for more information.

Green Car Innovation Fund

The $1.3 billion Green Car Innovation Fund offers grants from $100,000 for projects that significantly reduce fuel consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of passenger motor vehicles.

Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices

Applications are now open for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation's Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices. The awards recognise and reward organisations and individuals who make an outstanding contribution to the training of Australian Apprentices.

business.gov.au

business.gov.au offers simple and convenient access to all the government information, transactions and services you need. It's a whole-of-government service providing essential information on planning, starting and running your business.

NSW Government grants can be found at NSW Government website.

Climate Ready Program

Under the Clean Business Australia initiative, this competitive grants program provides grants from $50,000 to $5 million on a matching funding basis to support projects that address the effects of climate change.
A broad range of project applications are encouraged, including for:

• Water recycling, waste recovery or small scale renewable energy technologies
• Technologies that reduce the energy used by appliances or increase the efficiency of industrial processes
• Products, processes or services to monitor emissions or power use
• Using biotechnology or nanotechnology to address the effects of climate change on people and the environment
• Information systems for businesses or consumers to compare the carbon footprints of different activities
• Green building materials that make homes more energy efficient

For more information, including dates for the next round of funding, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET)

The COMET Program is a merit based assistance program whose aim is to increase the commercialisation of innovative products, processes and services by providing individuals, early stage growth companies and spin-off companies with a tailored support package to improve their potential for successful commercialisation. COMET offers grants from $5,000 to $120,000 for projects ranging up to two years in length. Applications are considered on an ongoing basis.

For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

Ethanol Distribution Program

The Ethanol Distribution Program is directed to retail service station owners and operators. The program is an entitlement program that provides grants of up to $20,000 to retail service stations that upgrade to supply 10 per cent ethanol blended fuel (E10).

For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

Ethanol Production Grants

Ethanol Production Grants are provided to ethanol producers for the production of ethanol in Australia from biomass feedstock that is blended into or used as transport fuel in Australia.

For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

FarmReady

FarmReady provides $26.5 million over four years to boost training opportunities for primary producers and to enable industry, farming groups and natural resource management groups to develop strategies to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change. Funding is available via one of two grants:

1. The primary producer reimbursement grant provides up to $1500 per financial year to attend approved training courses.
2. The industry grant provides eligible groups up to $80 000 per financial year to undertake projects that will assist in the development of strategies to manage the impacts of climate change.

For more information visit DAFF Farmready website or call 1800 638 746.

Fuel Tax Credits for Business

Fuel tax credits provide you with a credit for the fuel tax (excise or customs duty) included in the price of fuel you use in business activities, including the running of machinery, plant, equipment, and heavy vehicles.

Fuels that are not eligible for fuel tax credits are: aviation fuels, alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), ethanol, biodiesel and fuels you use in light vehicles travelling on a public road. For more information visit Australian Taxation Office.

Green Building Fund (office buildings only)

The Green Building Fund aims to reduce the green house gas emissions impact of the built environment by reducing the amount of energy consumed in the operation of existing commercial office buildings located in Australia.

Stream A of the program will provide grants of between $50,000 and $500,000, up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total cost of a project directed towards retro-fitting or retro-commissioning of an existing commercial office building, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction of the base building energy consumption.

Stream B of the program will provide grants of up to $200,000, up to 50% of the total cost of a project to improve the skills and capability of those involved with the operation of commercial office buildings, to enable them to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency.

The program is expected to open by late 2008. Should you wish to register your interest for this program, please contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: Ausindustry

Heritage Grants and Funding

The Australian Government offers a range of heritage grants programs and funding such as the Envirofund which falls under the $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust. With $200 million over the next five years, these programs and funding rounds support groups that are taking on-ground action in their own backyards.

For more information about heritage grants and funding, including details of various closing dates, visit Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

LPG Vehicle Scheme

The LPG Vehicle Scheme encourages Australians to use LPG, rather than petrol or diesel, as a transport fuel. Two different grants are available:

1. A grant of $2,000 may be paid following the LPG conversion of a new or used petrol or diesel motor vehicle for private use.
2. A grant of $1,000 may be paid following the purchase of a new motor vehicle, for private use, with an LPG unit fitted at the time of manufacture of the vehicle.

For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

Renewable Energy Equity Fund

The Renewable Energy Equity Fund is a specialist venture capital fund for the commercialisation of renewable energy technologies. Australian Government funding must be matched by private sector capital at a ratio of 2:1.

For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

Retooling for Climate Change

This program provides grants of between $10,000 and $500,000, to a maximum of one third of the total cost of a project. The program aims to help small and medium sized Australian manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint through projects that improve the energy and/or water efficiency of their production processes.

Round 6 of the program closes 22 March 2010. For more information, contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46, email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit Ausindustry.

The Cleaner Fuels Grant Scheme

The Cleaner Fuels Grants Scheme encourages the manufacture or importation of fuels that have a reduced impact on the environment. If you manufacture and import cleaner fuels you may be entitled to a Cleaner Fuel grant. From 1 July 2011, a range of cleaner fuels including compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, ethanol, and methanol will become eligible for the grant.

For more information visit Australian Taxation Office.

The Education for Sustainability Grants Program

This program aims to support projects that facilitate changes in community attitudes and behaviours in support of sustainable development in Australia. One aspect of the funding program is directed towards business and industry.

For more information visit Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The Energy Grants Credits Scheme - Alternative Fuels

The Energy Grants Credits Scheme (EGCS) provides a grant for fuel for businesses using alternative fuels for road transport.

For more information visit Australian Taxation Office.

The Low Emissions Technology and Abatement (LETA)

The LETA initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the longer term. Funds are available for industry on a sector-wide basis in order to assist in the identification of opportunities for emissions reductions under the Strategic Abatement - Identification of Opportunities; Geosequestration: Pilot Project to demonstrate enhanced monitoring and verification technologies for geosequestration in Australia.

Grants will generally be up to a maximum of 50 percent of eligible project costs. For more information visit Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

Water Smart Australia Program

The Water Smart Australia Program aims to accelerate the development and uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use across Australia. The $1.6 billion program has funding over five years until 2010.
Who can apply?

• State and Territory governments that are signatories to, and actively implementing, the National Water Initiative
• local government
• the private sector
• industry or other organisations
• community groups

What will be funded?
Projects that are eligible for funding include: those that will improve river flows, return groundwater to aquifers, irrigation water savings, farm use efficiencies, stormwater reuse and recycling, more efficient storage facilities, better sewage management and water efficient housing design.

For more information visit Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts or email enquiries@nwc.gov.au.