About this programme
The Industry Growth Program (IGP) is an Australian Government program run by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources through AusIndustry, supporting innovative SMEs whose commercialisation and growth projects align with the National Reconstruction Fund's (NRF) priority areas. It combines a free Advisory Service with two matched-funding grant opportunities aimed at helping businesses take a novel product, process or service from proof-of-concept through to market.
The program is built as a pathway rather than a single application: businesses first go through the Advisory Service, which assesses the venture and produces a report, before they become eligible to apply for either an Early-Stage Commercialisation grant or a Commercialisation and Growth grant. Grants are matched funding — the business contributes the same amount as the grant toward eligible project costs — and are awarded on merit by an independent Industry Growth Program Committee, not on a first-come basis.
The program targets the seven National Reconstruction Fund priority areas: value-add in resources; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; transport; medical science; renewables and low-emissions technologies; defence capability; and enabling capabilities (advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI and other cross-cutting technologies).
As of the most recent published figures on the official grant-recipients page, the program has awarded 140 grants totalling $209.5 million (excluding GST) since launch, with individual grants ranging from roughly $59,500 to $5 million.
How it works
Step 1 — Advisory Service: a free service open to eligible SMEs at any stage. An adviser is allocated after an eligibility check and produces an assessment report on the business and its project.
Step 2 — Grant application: only after receiving the Advisory Service report can a business apply for one of the two matched-funding grant streams.
Early-Stage Commercialisation grants: $50,000 to $250,000, for projects at the feasibility study, proof-of-concept or prototyping stage (roughly Technology Readiness Level 3–6).
Commercialisation and Growth grants: $100,000 to $5,000,000, for projects moving from prototype through to market entry, scaling and expansion (roughly Technology Readiness Level 4–9).
Matched funding: the grant amount must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the business's own contribution toward eligible project costs — for example, a $200,000 grant requires the business to also commit $200,000.
Assessment: eligible applications are assessed on merit by the independent Industry Growth Program Committee, and applicants receive written notification of the outcome.
Who can apply
To access the Advisory Service, a business must have combined annual turnover under $20 million across the three financial years prior to applying, hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN), not be exempt from income tax, and be registered for GST.
The applicant must be an incorporated Australian company, a co-operative, or an incorporated trustee. Individuals, partnerships, unincorporated trusts and government entities cannot apply.
A business is ineligible if it is listed on the National Redress Scheme's non-compliant institutions list, or if it has 100 or more employees and is non-compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act.
The underlying product, process or service must be genuinely innovative — new, unique or significantly different to what already exists in the market or industry it will trade in, or a significant enhancement that lets the business scale and transform. Minor improvements to existing offerings are not eligible.
The project must fall within one of the seven National Reconstruction Fund priority areas listed above.
How to apply
- Set up an account and submit an Advisory Service application through the official portal at portal.business.gov.au.
- Wait for the eligibility check, which the program states takes about 10 working days to respond.
- If approved, an adviser is allocated and works with the business toward an Advisory Service report.
- Using that report, decide whether to apply for the Early-Stage Commercialisation grant or the Commercialisation and Growth grant, based on the project's stage.
- Submit the grant application through the same portal, including the required forms and matched-funding evidence.
- The Industry Growth Program Committee assesses the application on merit; the business receives written notification of the outcome.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Program Information Guide
- Advisory Service sample application form
- Early-Stage Commercialisation grant guidelines and sample application
- Commercialisation and Growth grant guidelines and sample application
- Sample grant agreement (Early-Stage Commercialisation stream)
- Sample grant agreement (Commercialisation and Growth stream)
- Grant opportunity comparison document
- Accountant declaration form (to evidence turnover and matched-funding capacity)
Frequently asked
Is the Industry Growth Program currently accepting applications?
No. As at the official program page, the Industry Growth Program is paused to new applications for both the Advisory Service and the grant opportunities. Check the official page at business.gov.au before assuming it has reopened.
Can a business apply for a grant directly, without the Advisory Service?
No. The grant application step is only available to businesses that have already gone through the Advisory Service and received its assessment report.
What does "matched funding" mean for the IGP grants?
The business must contribute an amount at least equal to the grant toward eligible project costs. A $200,000 grant, for example, requires the business to also commit $200,000 of its own funding to the project.
What is the difference between the two grant streams?
Early-Stage Commercialisation grants ($50,000–$250,000) suit feasibility, proof-of-concept and prototyping work. Commercialisation and Growth grants ($100,000–$5,000,000) suit projects moving from prototype toward market entry and scaling.
Which sectors does the program prioritise?
Projects must sit within one of the National Reconstruction Fund's seven priority areas: value-add in resources; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; transport; medical science; renewables and low-emissions technologies; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.
Does an individual or unincorporated business qualify?
No. Only incorporated Australian companies, co-operatives, or incorporated trustees can apply. Individuals, partnerships, unincorporated trusts and government entities are excluded.
Is a minor product update eligible for funding?
No. The program requires genuine innovation — a new, unique or significantly different product, process or service, or a significant enhancement enabling the business to scale. Minor improvements to an existing offering do not qualify.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.