The Morrison Government has opened its $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) intended to “super-charge” manufacturing and open jobs within the sector, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews announced today.
According to Minister Andrews, the investment will build on billions of dollars to create long-term changes in Australian manufacturing.
“This matched government funding is designed to support our manufacturers to become competitive, resilient and scale-up to take on the world, which will, in turn, create jobs for Australians – both now and for generations to come,” Minister Andrews said.
“Funding from the MMI will help boost investment in the growth of the manufacturing sector, enhance Australia’s reputation, open up new markets, create new skilled jobs and increase exports.”
Manufacturing in the space sector will be first in line, with businesses now eligible to apply for grants to help them commercialise and integrate projects into global supply chains.
Minister Andrews also revealed a road-map to help guide the types of projects the Government will back in space manufacturing under the MMI.
“This road map sets out our vision for manufacturing investment in the sector, which will complement the excellent work already being done by the Australian Space Agency to grow the economy and create jobs,” said Minister Andrews.
“From products launched into space like nano and small satellites, through to space components like sensors and communication arrays – Australia has a number of unique opportunities across space manufacturing.”
Road maps for the remaining National Manufacturing Priorities – Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Food and Beverage, Medical Products, Recycling and Clean Energy, and Defence – are set for release in the upcoming weeks, coinciding with their respective MMI funding rounds.
“Industry has been the key driver of these manufacturing road maps, while the CSIRO, Industry Innovation and Science Australia and other relevant portfolios have also provided valuable insight that will result in more jobs from the Strategy,” Minister Andrews said.
Each road map, which will set out a decade-long plan for each of the National Manufacturing Priorities, falls under the Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy to establish Australia as a high-value manufacturing nation.
For more information on the road maps and available grant funding visit industry.gov.au/manufacturing.
