Frequently asked questions

Eligible project expenditure includes direct project-related costs, including any third-party service providers engaged to deliver the project.

Applicants are encouraged to use South Australian suppliers and service providers to assist with their project where possible.

The Department of State Development will consider each eligible application and its proposed project expenditure on its merits, but will exclude expenditure identified as ineligible in the Program Guidelines.

Funding cannot be used for business-as-usual activities. A more extensive list of ineligible expenditure can be found in the Program Guidelines.

Yes, if the project meets the required objectives and criteria for the Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program, all parties meet the eligibility requirements, and the total value of the project does not exceed the $50,000 (excluding GST) maximum funding.

Eligible project expenditure includes direct project-related costs, including any third-party service providers engaged to implement a technology solution.

Applications lodged by the following will not be eligible for funding assistance:

• Local Government and Councils;
• Local Government Associations;
• Industry Associations; and
• State or Federal Government Agencies and/or Departments.

Yes, if each project meets the required objectives and criteria for the Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program, as detailed in the Program Guidelines.

As we anticipate awarding funding to approximately 10 manufacturers, the chances that a manufacturer will have multiple successful applications is low.

Eligibility for future programs will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and applicants should consult the guidelines for any other program they are interested in.

However, it is likely funding from future rounds of the Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program may not be sought a project that has already received funding from this iteration.

Please see the Program Guidelines for a complete description of the application process.

Applications are to be submitted online during the application period. The following supporting documentation must be attached to the online application:

• A Project Plan for the proposed project, which should include:
  • A description of the Project and expected project outcomes;
  • Any forecasted financial outcomes from the project (increased revenues, profits, exports);
  • Key personnel, milestones and deliverables;
  • The internal and external expertise required to successfully implement the project;
  • A workforce training plan; and
  • A project budget, including quotes for eligible expenditure for the total project cost.
• Audited or accountant-prepared financial statements, including Income Statement/Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet, for the last two (2) financial years;
• Evidence of the availability of the required financial co-contribution, such as:
  • Evidence of support from the applicant’s board or parent company that the applicant can undertake the project and meet its cash co-contribution obligation; and
  • An approved debt finance facility from an Australian bank (including loan amount);
  • Cash at bank (current bank statement from an Australian bank); or
  • Management accounts demonstrating satisfactory cash flow or liquid assets.

All required documents are required to be submitted for an application to be considered complete and accepted for assessment. There is no specific template or required format for the project plan.

Applications will first be checked against the eligibility criteria listed in the Program Guidelines, and then assessed against the program merit criteria:

• The extent to which the project contributes to achieving the program objectives;
• The applicant’s ability to deliver the project; and
• Impact of and rationale for government financial support.

Applications will not be assessed for their length, and succinct applications that satisfy the above criteria will be looked on favourably.

Applicants have the following information to hand before applying online:

• Information about the business;
• Information about the proposed technology project;
• A detailed project plan;
• Financial statements;
• Evidence of financial co-contribution; and
• Other documents to support the application.

Additional information can be submitted through the MTAP application form’s ‘document upload’ section.

Applications close on 29 September2025, and applications will be assessed as quickly as possible.

Additional information may be sought from applicants during the assessment process. This may impact on assessment timeframes.

An application form can have a status of either ‘incomplete’ or ‘submitted’.

An applicant can update or save an application while it is incomplete, but not after it has been submitted.

The total amount of program funding for this round is $500,000, and applicants can apply for grants of up to $50,000.

We anticipate awarding funding to approximately 10 manufacturers, depending on the amount sought by/awarded to each applicant.

The Treasurer has ultimate discretion to approve/not approve applications to the Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program, and as such that decision is final.

The Department of State Development is able to provide feedback on your application.

The Treasurer and/or their delegate reserves the right to vary the application of funding as well as other key criteria and dates for each funding round as appropriate.

Projects may commence any time after a funding deed (contract) has been executed, or such other time as agreed with the Treasurer, and must commence within the timeframes published for the program.

Note that applicants may be asked to provide justification for the funding request and the project commencement date should be clearly identified on the submitted project plan.

Funded projects must be completed by 30 May 2026, with all funding to be spent prior.

The Department of State Development will work with you to review and execute a Funding Deed between your business and the Treasurer.

This Funding Deed would govern the relationship between you and the South Australian Government, and include details on payment schedules, reporting, performance requirements and other contract terms and conditions.

The Department of State Development is required to treat your personal information in compliance with the Government’s Information Privacy Principles.

We may provide the personal information collected from you to government employees, advisers or third parties in order to manage, monitor and assess the program.

The Department or the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science may publicly announce details of successful applications including but not limited to, the name of applicant, project summary, estimated and actual economic outcomes and amount of funding.

Yes. The Department of State Development must ensure the funding is spent according to the Program Guidelines and requires updates from the successful applicant to do this.

Funded projects must be completed by 30 September 2025.

If you anticipate potential project delays, please raise this with the funding deed contract manager or the Department of State Development as soon as these issues arise.

Individual funding deeds will be signed with successful applicants specifying agreed performance milestones.

Failure to maintain agreed targets may result in a requirement for all or part of the funding to be repaid.

For assistance, please contact the Department of State Development’s manufacturing team: manufacturing@sa.gov.au