Government News

Established in 1954, precision gear manufacturer Ronson Gears is a Melbourne-based company of 43 staff that services a range of sectors globally. From aerospace to agriculture, defense, energy, off-highway, medical and rail, Ronson prides itself on delivering quality products through innovation. A hands-on, third-generation family business, it stays abreast of technological developments as a member of various leading associations, having engineered gears for all industrial applications. Boosting supply chain Selected by BAE Systems Australia amongst a handful of other Australian SMEs for the delivery of sub-missiles, Ronson Gears will enable the growth of a significant sovereign supply chain, providing opportunities for future design, integration and advanced manufacturing. BAE Systems and an expanded network of Australian industry partners will deliver sub-assemblies into Block 2 of the ESSM program under a new three-year full-rate production contract with a contracted customer in the United States. The ESSM is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. BAE Systems is the Australian industry…

Melbourne-based Corvus Technology Solutions is pleased to announce it has received the first round of funding under its Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Australian Government. Corvus was the successful recipient last year of a $3m grant under the MMI, which forms part of the Australian Government’s wider $2.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy. The funds will be invested to boost Australia’s sovereign capability with the installation of high-precision machinery at Corvus’ manufacturing facility in Victoria. This will enable Corvus to produce a large number of precision parts and tooling with very high accuracy and consistency for the defence, aerospace, automotive, medical device and electronics industries, among others. Corvus Operations Manager Ryan Higgins said the funds received under the MMI would not only enhance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities, but also provide a significant boost to local employment. “The $3m awarded under the MMI will help us establish fully integrated, precision manufacturing capabilities at our facility and support the creation of more than 300 local manufacturing jobs over the next five years,” he said. “It will also enhance our competitiveness to bid on more contracts in the…

Hydrogen production should be carefully regulated and consumers informed about emissions credentials if Australia is to achieve a sustainable energy economy and net zero emissions by 2050, QUT experts warn. Published in Sustainable Energy & Fuels, a QUT analysis shows the differences between hydrogen production based on a generic primary fuel source – coal, natural gas, or renewables – and the resulting carbon dioxide (CO2) that needs to be abated for net zero emissions. Associate Professor Jonathan Love from the QUT Centre for Clean Energy Technology and Practices said the analysis highlighted considerations for future studies, policy deliberation, and consumer regulatory frameworks for clean electricity and transport. “We need to consider the end-to-end process to produce and use hydrogen if we are to say it’s sustainable and is part of the clean energy transition,” Professor Love said. “Different fuel cells produce very different outcomes when considering the best use of fuel for sustainability outcomes. “There is no current policy that links consumer fuel cell technology choices with the primary energy source or emissions, so hydrogen producers could end up making sustainability outcomes worse. This highlights…

Imagine a system that gathers the energy from a braking train as it approaches a station, briefly stores it, then reinjects it into the train’s power supply as it accelerates on its way. Such an energy redistributor has been applied as an alternative to building and connecting a new rectifier substation on the Metro Trains Melbourne (Metro) Hurstbridge Line Upgrade Project. The Australian-first application of ABB’s 1,500 Volt DC ABB Enviline Energy Storage System (ESS), which not only stores but also returns the surplus braking energy back to the grid, will allow the Metro service to make more efficient use of electricity, increasing its sustainability and allowing it to add extra trains at a lower than usual cost; passengers will experience a smoother ride – no more spilled coffee. The pilot project, completed six months ago, has had to negotiate several obstacles, call them mountain ranges, on its three-year journey to completion. But two indomitable ABB…

Australian advanced manufacturer ANCA is pleased to announce it has received the first round of funding under its Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant from the Australian Government. ANCA will establish a precision manufacturing cell at its Bayswater headquarters, using the grant delivered through the Modern Manufacturing Initiative. The company supplies advanced tool-making machines and technology to aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronic industries, exporting to more than 45 countries. Assistant Minister for Manufacturing Tim Ayres said he was pleased to announce the grant, delivering this advanced manufacturing capability at a time when building sovereign capability has never been more important. “Over the last decade, Australian exports have slipped down the global value chain as our exports have become less complex,” Assistant Minister Ayres said. “This grant will enable ANCA to build a new designated precision manufacturing cell and continue enhancing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities. It will also create an estimated 157 highly skilled jobs during the project and about 330 jobs after five years.” This grant is under the MMI,…

CRC grants provide funding for industry-led research centres that can transform Australian know-how into practical outcomes for Australian businesses. The grants can support industry-led collaborative research centres of up to ten years duration. “The Government’s CRC program supports research and development initiatives that result in significant benefits to industry and the community,” Minister Husic said. “This funding can provide an often-missing step between research and commercialisation.” The latest evaluation of the CRC program, released today, shows it is working to strengthen the bond between industry and research organisations. “This evaluation found CRCs will contribute about $32.5bn towards economic productivity by 2025 through commercialisation of new technologies, products, and services that solve real problems for industry,” Minister Husic said. “The evaluation also concluded CRCs will continue to help address Australia’s economic, environmental and social challenges by enhancing capability of the research workforce.” Grant applications are open to all industry sectors and research disciplines, with applicants at least matching the funding sought through cash or in‑kind contributions from partners. Since the CRC…

The University of Southern Queensland is a successful recipient under the Australian Government’s $362m Trailblazer Universities initiative, giving the green light to the University of Southern Queensland-led ‘Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Hub’. In a giant step for the Australian space sector, the University of Southern Queensland leads Australia’s effort to boost commercialisation and national capability in the space sector thanks to $50m in funding from the Federal Government’s inaugural Trailblazer Universities Program. Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said along with university partners the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), and industry partners, the University would lead Australian breakthroughs in an area of critical national manufacturing priority. “The University of Southern Queensland is already a leader in space manufacturing with expertise in hypersonic propulsion systems, advanced materials, and astrophysics,” Professor Mackenzie said. “iLAuNCH Hub will improve Australia’s skills in the space sector, providing new jobs and boosting the economy, and also help ensure our country’s space expertise grows well into the future.” It is anticipated that the…

Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2022 aims to bring together industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions in key areas such as sustainable materials, packaging, zero-waste, and many more. The fourth edition of the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge, launched by Enterprise Singapore, aims to bring together industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions. Solutions should be implemented locally and regionally before pushing them out on a global scale. For this challenge, each of our industry partners bring a unique challenge statement addressing key themes of Green Buildings, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Food Source, Zero-waste, Sustainable Materials and Packaging. Winning innovators will access a unique opportunity for co-innovation with corporates, benefiting from their extensive expertise, mentorship, and resources. Other prize rewards include potential grant support from Enterprise Singapore, A$76,000 from Hexagon Group, alongside potential funding and test-bedding opportunities from the industry partners themselves. The time is now to make a tangible difference to your business and the sustainable goals of our planet. The cooperation between the Australian manufacturing industry and that of Singapore (and others), ensures investment…

The NSW Government has just launched the Future Industries Investment Program, aimed at increasing productivity in the NSW economy and maximising the benefits of investment across NSW. The Program will focus on attracting and growing innovative, high-growth businesses in priority industries and driving productivity growth in emerging high-value technologies, such as digital technology, medical technology, and the clean economy. Up to $30m will be available in grant funding under the Program. For projects located in Western Parkland City, an additional $4.75m is available in grant funding from the Western Sydney Investment Attraction Fund. Applicants seeking assistance from the Program may be eligible for project expense rebates, paid to the applicant on audited accounts of pre-approved project expenses. To ensure the maximum impact of the Program, the Department of Enterprise, Investment, and Trade may seek to negotiate the types and quantum of support, and the components of any final support package will be at the discretion of the Minister. To find out if your business is eligible start the application process today. Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEDT Friday…

Additive Assurance, a leader in quality assurance for additive manufacturing, today announced the successful completion of a $4.1m funding round as it pushes forward with its international expansion plan. The round was led by Significant Capital Ventures (SCV) and supported by Hostplus alongside existing shareholders IP Group Australia and Monash Investment Holdings. The new investment will support growth initiatives, including the establishment of an Additive Manufacturing quality assurance centre of excellence at its Melbourne headquarters, and the expansion of research and development and international business development teams. Additive Assurance has developed AMiRIS, a world-leading solution for quality assurance of 3D-printed metal parts, based on technology originally developed at Monash University. AMiRIS allows manufacturers to ensure the structural integrity of components as they are being made and correct any anomalies when they occur. Additive Assurance is working with leading global customers in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries to enable the use of 3D-printed parts in serial production. “We are delighted to receive the support of SCV and existing investors to underpin our continued expansion,” said Marten Jurg, co-founder and CEO of Additive…

The Australian Government hopes an advocate will help grow local manufacturing of safe, fast, and sustainable rail. Assistant Minister for Manufacturing Tim Ayres said the Rail Supplier Advocate and the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC) will advise the Government on the Australian rail industry and the most effective strategies to back Australian manufacturing. “Australia’s railways have been a core part of our national story since Federation, and they employ more than 50,000 people today,” Assistant Minister Ayres said. “High-quality Australian rail manufacturing should be part of our vision to reduce emissions, secure supply chains, and put Australian research and innovation to work. “The Rail Supplier Advocate will be an important part of the National Rail Manufacturing Plan – the plan will support skilled manufacturing jobs and support more trains being built here in Australia. The Advocate will support small to medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers to seize export opportunities, market their products to government, and champion sectoral initiatives to improve competitiveness.” Assistant Minister Ayres said the recruitment process will commence in the coming days. “I want the very best person for this role…

Minister Husic said at his National Press Club Address that manufacturers are already some of the country’s biggest investors in research and development. Currently, the manufacturing sector makes up almost 30% of total R&D expenditure through the government’s R&D Tax Incentive. “The science ecosystem is a broad one, spanning the lab bench to the board room to the factory floor,” he said. “We need to support it, and sustain it, from basic research at the lab bench to new industrial uses and technologies. To this end, we have kicked off a consultation to revitalise Australia’s science priorities.” The Federal Government’s review of the Australian Research Council and the development of a Universities Accord, is led by Ed Husic, and Jason Clare, Minister for Education. As part of their new science and technology pipeline, the government has a goal of generating up to 1.2 million tech-related jobs in Australia by 2030. The Minister mentioned at the NPC address that, “there are already more software engineers and developers in Australia than there are hairdressers…

The Digital Jobs for Manufacturing Program is open to businesses with a manufacturing presence in Victoria which are on a growth trajectory and are seeking to utilise their existing workforce to apply digital technology to their operations. Global manufacturing is becoming increasingly technology-driven, requiring highly skilled workers and a competitive edge in new techniques. Manufacturing technologies are constantly changing and manufacturers in Victoria need to continuously adapt to maintain their advantage. The Digital Jobs for Manufacturing Program assists Victorian manufacturing businesses adapt to a digital operating environment by providing nominated employees with fully subsidised digital skills training. Funding is available to manufacturing businesses to enroll their employees in a training course in a highly sought-after digital skill. Businesses can select from a list of 12-week online, part-time industry-endorsed courses. Examples include (but are not limited to): data analytics; cloud computing; IT operations and support; web development; digital marketing; enterprise resource planning (ERP); customer relationship management (CRM); or robotic process automation. Grants of up to $5,000 are available per employee and require…