Investing in our Advanced Manufacturing capabilities

26 August 2021

Jeremy Rockliff MP

Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries

Supporting Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing sector to develop its workforce to meet the changing demands of the modern economy is a key priority for the Tasmania Liberal Government.

We also appreciate how important it is to equip our industries with leading-edge design, innovation and technologies to improve capability in what is a highly competitive and rapidly changing global environment.

As part of the 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget, we are investing a further $5 million over three years to implement our Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan.

The first of three grant programs available as part of our Plan, the Business Improvement Grant program, will provide $450,000 over three years for our advanced manufacturers to access professional advice and information to help them adapt and meet the future needs of their operating environment.

This program will support our advanced manufacturers to build on their existing strengths or develop new competitive advantages by providing professional advice or specialist information.

We are also investing $450,000 over the next three years through our Advanced Manufacturing Quality Assurance Grants program to support the sector to achieve quality assurance accreditations that will help advanced manufacturers retain or expand their customers and markets.

By supporting our advanced manufacturers to achieve the accreditations they need to meet in their specific industry or market, this program will help ensure these businesses continue to innovate and grow, secure new customers and new markets.

The Business Improvement Grant can provide up to 50 per cent contribution towards activities that will drive business growth, efficiencies, competitiveness and enhanced sustainability.

While the Advanced Manufacturing Quality Assurance Grants can provide up to 50 per cent contribution towards the cost of achieving market or industry specific accreditations such as ISO9001, HACCP and similar accreditations across other sectors.

Both programs will offer grants of up to $20,000 and are available to Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturers with annual sales turnover of between $300,000 and $20 million. Funding is offered on the basis of applicants contributing at least 50 per cent of the project cost.

This Budget also delivers $600,000 over the next three years for the Skills 2 Manufacturing program, which supports the development of our manufacturing workforce. We know the success of our advanced manufacturing industry is underpinned by a reliable, diverse and appropriately skilled future workforce and this program enables manufacturers to upskill their workforce through industry specific training, which we know is a key priority for them.

The 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget demonstrates we are delivering on our plan to secure Tasmania’s future by future-proofing our advanced manufacturing industry for years to come.

Further information and guidelines for all three programs are available from Business Tasmania: business.tas.gov.au