Applications for the first round of $111.9 million worth of grants opens today for eligible businesses in Australia’s north looking to expand, diversify or grow a new industry.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said this first round of Northern Australia Development Program grants is about backing business and creating jobs.
“This program will jump start the enormous growth and industry transformation potential in northern Australia, generating jobs and economic opportunities now and into the future,” Minister Littleproud said.
“These grants present an opportunity to get your project off the drawing board and into reality, whether through building new infrastructure, purchasing equipment, or training and feasibilities activities.
The Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Townsville-based Senator Susan McDonald said the program will be a boost to the north by growing successful businesses and building new ones.
“This program complements the delivery of existing Australian Government initiatives including the JobMaker Plan, the Digital Business Plan, Gas Fired Recovery, Ag2030 and the Modern Manufacturing Strategy in the north,” Senator McDonald said.
“Our north really is a great place to live, work, and do business, and our continued investment means it’s never been a more exciting time for local businesses – or for those in other parts of the country to set up shop or expand there.”
Grants of between $50,000 and $2 million will be available for small to medium enterprises to grow their business through new activities. Larger businesses can access grants of between $3 million and $10 million to establish a new industry or significantly grow the value of an existing industry and contribute to transformational change in a region.
The first assessment round closes 10 December 2021. Grants will be awarded from February 2022. The Business Grants Hub will administer the program using a merit-based assessment process.
