Backing Aussie small business innovation to boost Defence capability

Ten Australian businesses will seek to solve some of Defence’s biggest capability challenges after they were awarded Morrison Government contracts totalling close to $3 million.

The companies will respond to a range of identified Defence capability challenges, including cyber security, enhanced human performance, medical countermeasures, trusted autonomous systems, and integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. 

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contracts provided important support for innovative Australian micro and small businesses focused on developing game-changing technologies for Australia’s defence.  

The funding is part of Defence’s $36 million Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (ICERA) – unveiled in August 2020 – which forms part of the Next Generation Technologies (NGTF) initiative. 

“The ICERA program expands on this Government’s support for small-and-medium businesses, enabling them to innovate and deliver cutting-edge capability to the ADF,” Minister Price said. 

“I am proud of the Morrison Government’s support for progressive, innovative Australian SMEs. 

“These companies frequently demonstrate their ability to respond to the various capability challenges identified by Defence with agility and tenacity.” 

The following final 10 ICERA partners will receive up to $300,000 each.