Manufacturing Grants Australia 2026: What’s Available and How to Access Funding
Australia’s manufacturing sector is one of the most actively funded industries in the country. With 104,000 businesses contributing over $319 billion to GDP and employing more than 862,000 Australians, government investment in manufacturing grants has never been higher, and the funding available to individual businesses is substantial.
Whether you operate in food processing, pharmaceuticals, steel, packaging, medical equipment or advanced manufacturing, there are government grants, incentives and co-funding programs specifically designed to help your business grow, modernise and export.
Section: What Manufacturing Grants Are Available in 2026?
The Australian government at both federal and state level, currently funds manufacturers across four main categories:
| Grant Category | Typical Funding Amount | Who It’s For |
| Advanced Manufacturing | $50,000 – $1,000,000 | Businesses investing in automation, robotics, or smart manufacturing |
| R&D Tax Incentive | Up to 43.5% tax offset | Manufacturers conducting eligible R&D activities |
| Export Market Development | Up to $150,000 | Manufacturers seeking to grow international sales |
| State Manufacturing Grants (NSW/VIC/QLD) | $10,000 – $500,000 | Manufacturers operating within a specific state |
| Energy Efficiency Grants | $10,000 – $200,000 | Manufacturers upgrading to energy-efficient equipment |
Section: Australia’s Largest Manufacturing Sectors and the Grants Available to Each
Australia’s top 100 manufacturers span multiple sectors. Here’s what funding looks like for each major industry:
Food & Beverage Manufacturing (18 companies in top 100)
Food manufacturers can access grants through the Food and Grocery Industry Code, CSIRO partnerships, and state-based food innovation programs. Grants typically range from $25,000 to $500,000 and cover product development, export readiness and processing upgrades.
Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment Manufacturing (10 companies in top 100)
This is one of the highest-funded sectors in Australia. The Medical Research Future Fund, R&D Tax Incentive and Therapeutic Goods Administration grants are all accessible to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Funding can reach into the millions for eligible R&D activities.
Steel, Minerals & Resources Manufacturing
BlueScope Steel and similar businesses can access modernisation grants through the Industrial Transformation Research Program and the Cooperative Research Centres Program. State governments in NSW, QLD and WA also run targeted resource sector grants.
Packaging & Paper Products
Businesses like Amcor and Visy have benefited from circular economy grants and sustainability-focused funding. The National Environmental Science Program and state recycling grants offer funding for manufacturers improving their environmental footprint.
Section: Where Are Australia’s Manufacturers? State-by-State Grants
NSW leads with 49 of Australia’s top 100 manufacturers. Victoria has 30, Queensland 9, and WA and SA 4 each. Each state government runs its own manufacturing grants program:
| State | Key Grant Program | Funding Range | Manufacturers in Top 100 |
| NSW | NSW Manufacturing Grants Program, Jobs Plus Program | $10,000–$500,000 | 49 |
| VIC | Victorian Manufacturing Investment Grants | $50,000–$1M | 30 |
| QLD | Building Our Regions, QLD Manufacturing Fund | $25,000–$300,000 | 9 |
| WA | WA Industry Link Program, Regional Development Fund | $20,000–$200,000 | 4 |
| SA | SA Economic Statement Grants, Industry Attraction Fund | $10,000–$500,000 | 4 |
Call us on 1300-005-999 to discuss your eligibility and what type of assistance could be available to you.
Section: How the Australian Government Supports Manufacturers
The Australian Government has significantly increased its investment in manufacturing since 2020. The depreciation of the Australian dollar has made local manufacturers more competitive globally, and government policy has followed, funding value-add manufacturing, automation, and export-ready businesses at unprecedented levels.
Key federal programs currently supporting Australian manufacturers include:
- Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI): co-funding for manufacturers in priority sectors
- R&D Tax Incentive: 43.5% offset for eligible research and development spend
- Export Market Development Grants (EMDG): up to $150,000 for export marketing activities
- Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program: industry-led research partnerships
- Energy Efficiency Grants: funding for equipment upgrades reducing energy consumption
Is Your Manufacturing Business Eligible for Grants?
With over 800 active assistance programs tracked by Grants Assist, most Australian manufacturers are eligible for at least one and often several, government funding programs. The challenge is knowing which ones to apply for and how to structure a winning application.
