Australian manufacturers can now apply for a share of $800m in funding for major job creating projects under the Collaboration Stream of the Federal Government’s $1.3bn Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

Funding of between $20m and $200million is available, covering up to 33% of eligible project expenditure. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the Government will strategically invest in projects that will help manufacturers to scale up and create jobs, with investments targeted at projects within the six National Manufacturing Priority areas.

“As a Government we plan to harness Australia’s manufacturing capability to drive job creation and spur private investment, especially as we chart our economic recovery from COVID-19 and build our future resilience,” Minister Porter said. “Through the Collaboration Stream, we are determined to co-invest in industry-led proposals that will transform our National Manufacturing Priority areas, by encouraging manufacturers to move up the value chain to higher value, higher margin activities, including drawing on our world class research.

“This is at the heart of our $1.5bn Modern Manufacturing Strategy, which is all designed to support Australian manufacturers to scale-up, build resilience, become more competitive and create the jobs we need not only now but for generations to come.”

The six National Manufacturing Priority areas are: medical products; clean energy and recycling; food and beverage; defence; space and resource technology and critical minerals processing.

Applications are open until 9 September. More details and the guidelines are available at:

www.business.gov.au/mmic