Please see below for industry information that may be of interest to you…

 

Tax Changes to Boost R&D by $1 Billion

The beneficial ownership test for the 175% R&D tax concession will be changed to allow claims for R&D projects undertaken in Australia, regardless of where the intellectual property is held. The change will increase R&D investment by existing multinational enterprises (MNEs), attract new R&D expenditure by MNEs, and improve participation of Australian firms in global networks. The change is cost effective as it only rewards multinationals that increase their R&D investment in Australia. The current entitlements of Australian companies under the R&D Tax Concession will not be reduced.

Commercial Ready Will Continue

Commercial Ready will be an ongoing programme to support small and medium sized innovating Australian companies. Having seen the effectiveness of Commercial Ready, the Australian Government will provide over $200 million per year on an ongoing basis for grants to Australian companies permanently extending the programme beyond 2010-11.

Micro Businesses Targeted by Commercial Ready Plus

Innovative micro businesses and public research spin-offs will be targeted by a new streamlined grants programme through Commercial Ready. The Australian Government is providing funding of more than $90 million over ten years for Commercial Ready Plus to help turn Australian innovations into successful commercial products. Commercial Ready Plus will specifically meet the needs of these groups which may be undertaking their first R&D project and need extra start-up assistance. The programme will provide dollar for dollar support of up to $250,000 to fund R&D, proof of concept and early stage commercialisation and will have a simpler, more streamlined application process, providing faster access to funding.

Intermediary Access Programme

The Intermediary Access Programme will help Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) increase their innovative capacity and become more internationally competitive by using intermediaries to connect SMEs with researchers and other large and small companies. The Australian Government is providing funding of $ 20.1 million over five years to help SMEs overcome barriers in acquiring the knowledge that will increase their international competitiveness.

Australian Industry Productivity Centres to Boost Business

The Australian Government has provided funding of $351.8 million over ten years to establish new Australian Industry Productivity Centres (AIPCs) to help small to medium enterprises (SMEs) enhance their international competitiveness and tap into global supply chains. The Centres will assist manufacturing and services businesses to enhance their productivity.

Australian Industry Productivity Centres will:
· provide a full suite of business improvement services to assist firms to capitalise on opportunities;
· help firms better understand and enhance their performance; and
· assist firms to solve practical problems through technology and process improvements.

National Nanotechnology Strategy

The Government will commit $21.5 million to ensure Australia captures the full benefits of nanotechnology while addressing health, safety and environmental issues. The National Strategy will draw together industry, researchers, the community and government to:
· establish a nano-particle measuring capability at the National Measurement Institute;
· address regulations and standards; and
· provide balanced advice to the community on nanotechnology.

Global Opportunities Program

Australian businesses will receive assistance to break into global supply chains and bid for work on major international projects through the Australian Government's new $254.1 million ten year Global Opportunities programme. The programme will assist small and medium sized enterprises to find and secure overseas contracts. The programme will identify opportunities in other countries, facilitate trade missions and place Australian industry experts in international procurement offices.

Global Opportunities provides resources to investigate up to 33 and to mount bids for up to 16 of these projects each year. With each project worth at least $500 million, this is a great boost for Australian industry. The Government has supported the development of a comprehensive database of Australian industry capabilities, and more recently, opportunities to maximise local industry participation in major projects in Australia. This resource will be a valuable tool to support initiatives to capture global opportunities.

ITR will work with Austrade, industry associations, the Industry Capability Network, global companies operating in Australia and other experts to provide the information and the access to global companies that firms need. The programme will also see Invest Australia working with multinational enterprises already in Australia, encouraging more investment and closer links to Australian firms and research organisations.

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AusBiotech Ltd
Australia's Biotechnology Organisation
Level 1, 322 Glenferrie Road
Malvern VIC 3144
Ph: 03 9828 1400
Fax: 03 9824 5188
www.ausbiotech.org