Funding available for Queensland Manufacturers (Australia)

The MIQ Program provides grant funding to support Queensland-based small to medium enterprises (SME) in the traditional manufacturing sector to increase their international competitiveness, productivity and profitability via the adoption of industry leading technologies and processes. The MIQ Program is aimed at supporting existing manufacturing jobs and creating new jobs of the future in Queensland manufacturing businesses and in the state’s supply chains, to grow Queensland’s economy.

Objectives 

• The objectives of MIQ Program Objectives are to support the Queensland Government’s objectives for the community, Advance Queensland Priorities and the Department’s Strategic Direction by:
  • increasing the productivity, profitability and international competitiveness of Queensland-based manufacturing SMEs
  • encouraging Queensland-based manufacturing SMEs to become Advanced Manufacturers by adopting industry leading equipment, technologies, processes and systems
  • supporting traditional manufacturing jobs and creating the new high-skilled manufacturing jobs of the future.
• The MIQ Program will also support SME manufacturers to achieve energy efficiency, export, reshoring, and advancement of decarbonisation and net zero outcomes through Industry 4.0 and 5.0 transformation projects, which can preferably be completed in a 12-month period.

Funding Information

• An MIQ Program grant will support an eligible Queensland-based manufacturing SME by reimbursing up to 50 per cent of the Eligible Project costs for projects undertaken by a SME.
• Grants are available:
  • between $50,000 to $2.5 million (excluding GST) per grant
  • as matched funding for Eligible Project costs on a dollar-for-dollar cash basis

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants:
  • To be eligible for an MIQ grant, an applicant must be one standalone entity or a group of entities (see below) that:
    • is a Queensland-based business whose principal activity and majority annual turnover is derived
    • from manufacturing, as defined under Division C of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Australian
    • and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) 2006
    • is registered for GST and holds an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
    • operates independently and has control of its own corporate governance and decision making
    • is an SME with between five and 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. A minimum of five FTE employees must be located in Queensland
    • has a proposed Eligible Project that meets the requirements
    • owns the existing equipment used in its manufacturing operations and will own any equipment to be purchased under the proposed Eligible Project
    • has the financial capacity and standing necessary to successfully undertake and complete the proposed Eligible Project recognising that grant payments are made in arrears
    • accepts that the Department may require security over any or all of Eligible Project items for the duration of up to seven years
    • does not have, and must not be an Associated Entity of an entity that has received (or about to receive) funding under the MIQ Program that in aggregate exceeds, or will exceed $2.5 million (excluding GST)
    • does not have, and must not be an Associated Entity of an entity that has made, an application under Round 7 of the MIQ Program that in aggregate exceeds, or will exceed funding of $2.5 million (excluding GST)
    • is not insolvent or does not have owners or directors that are an undischarged bankrupt
    • is not a federal, state or local government entity, statutory authority or special purpose vehicle, charity, partnership, or not-for-profit organisation.
  • An applicant may be either:
    • a single entity (i.e. one ABN holder) that meets all of the applicant eligibility criteria within the one standalone entity, or
    • a group of entities (i.e. multiple business entities with their own ABNs) under a shared ownership structure controlled by the applicant and/or its affiliates that collectively meets all of the applicant eligibility criteria. For example, one group entity may own the equipment and project assets, while a separate group entity may undertake the manufacturing operations, and another group entity may employ staff. To be considered an SME in this instance, the total employees across the group of entities should be between five and 200 FTE employees, with a minimum of five FTE employees located in Queensland. The employing entity must be registered in Queensland. The group’s principal activity and majority annual turnover must be derived from manufacturing, as defined under Division C of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ ANZSIC 2006.
  • If an applicant does not demonstrate they meet the Eligibility Criteria, the Department may reject their application and not consider it for any further assessment.
  • Applicants should note that a detailed due diligence and probity review may be undertaken on the applicant including, but not limited to, the checks and searches below:
    • applicant bona fide checks (status, corporate structure, ownership, directors review etc.)
    • background and probity searches (ACCC, Banned & Disqualified, Bankruptcy, Adverse Media, Courts)
    • financial capability (historical financials) and viability (funding capacity and sources)
    • business and project risks, and planned mitigations.
  • The outcome of the Department’s due diligence review may impact on the Department’s assessment of the application, that is, if deemed not to satisfy due diligence and financial probity, the application may be deemed ineligible for a grant and the Department may elect to not progress the application further.

For more information, visit Australian Government.