Round 8 of the TCF Small Business Program
- Grants of up to $50,000 are available to help established small businesses in the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) sector transform their business so they are more competitive and productive. Round 8 of the TCF Small Business Program is open now and will close on 1 March 2013. To register for a Melbourne workshop, visit http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/small-business/tcf-sbp/Pages/TCFSBP-Round8Workshops.aspx
Collaborative Networks Pilot Program – $1.2 million for networks to link industry and research
- The Victorian Government has just announced $1.2 million in grants under their new Collaborative Networks Pilot Program – which is designed to support the commercialisation and adoption of new technologies through partnerships between Australian small to medium enterprises and researchers.The program will work to translate recent research and technological innovations into commercial outcomes and builds on Victoria’s competitive advantages in business, manufacturing, innovation and research.
The Australian Innovation System Report 2012 reveals that compared with firms that do not innovate, innovative Australian firms are:
- 42% more likely to increase profitability;
- 3 times more likely to export;
- 4 times more likely to increase the range of goods or services offered;
- more than twice as likely to create new jobs; and
- more than three times more likely to increase training opportunities for their employees.
And – The Australian Government’s gross expenditure on R&D has risen to 0.77% of GDP, the seventh highest in the OECD.
The State of Australian Cities 2012 was launched by The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on 4 December. The report outlines the progress and performance of Australia’s 18 largest cities, presenting a wealth of data and analysis on cities and information that enables more informed decisions for the planning, design and delivery of productive, liveable, resilient and sustainable cities. Australia is tipped to be home for more than 35 million people by 2050, of which 85% (about 29 million) will be city based.
