The government is committed to developing Queensland small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by supporting them to enhance their prospects for securing participation in defence and aerospace industry supply chains. The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development (DAID) Fund:
enables Queensland SMEs to develop their capabilities and compete for national and international defence and aerospace industry contracts
increases Queensland SMEs’ exposure and access to defence and aerospace industry supply chains
facilitates the acquisition of internationally recognised industry certification.
Queensland SMEs operating in the defence, aerospace, and related C4ISREW sectors are encouraged to seek assistance from the DAID Fund to pursue industry-specific, internationally recognised certification of their business operations, goods or services.
The DAID Fund will also provide support for SMEs to participate in targeted international trade shows to engage with national and international companies in the defence and aerospace industries.
Applying for financial assistance
The International and Industry Certification stream of the DAID Fund is open. Applications will be accepted until 5pm on Thursday 12 December 2019.
Financial assistance is available to support SMEs to obtain certification of their business operations, goods or services to international industry-specific requirements. Grants from $10,000 to $30,000 (excluding GST) in matched funding will be awarded to approved applicants.
Applicants can apply for assistance for up to three certification categories; however, the maximum amount an applicant can receive is $30,000 (excluding GST) in matched funding.
Please read the guidelines ( 1.8 MB) and frequently asked questions before you begin your application, and note that only online applications will be accepted.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for assistance from the DAID Fund?
To make an application under the DAID Fund, complete the online application form. You’re encouraged to read the guidelines ( 1.8 MB) before completing the form.
What is the role of departmental staff?
Departmental staff in Defence Jobs Queensland can provide general advice regarding the DAID Fund. If you have any questions about the application and assessment process, please call 3452 7239 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Departmental staff in your local regional office can also help you. A list of regional office contact details is provided in the guidelines ( 1.8 MB).
Please note that departmental staff are not responsible for developing applications for DAID Fund assistance.
Is there a file size limit that can be uploaded in the online application portal?
No, there is no file size limit.
What are the timeframes for completing activities supported by the DAID Fund?
Recipients of DAID Fund assistance must complete all approved activities within the timeframe stated on the funding agreement with the department. The maximum timeframe is 18 months from the commencement date specified in the agreement.
Do I need to have existing products and market presence to apply?
Yes. It’s essential your business currently provides products and services, or has the current capability to supply products and services, to the defence and/or aerospace industries in order to apply for DAID Fund support.
How will my application be assessed?
Applications will be assessed against the eligibility requirements of the program and the assessment criteria listed in section 6 of the guidelines for the International and Industry Certification Funding stream.
During the assessment process, you may be contacted and asked to clarify information, or provide further information, to enable full assessment of your application and a due diligence appraisal.
How will I know if my application is successful?
The department aims to notify you in writing of the outcome of your DAID Fund application within eight weeks of the closing date.
Will my application be treated as confidential?
Yes. The department is required to comply with all relevant Australian and Queensland laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Right to Information Act 2009 by having appropriate processes in place to secure and protect the privacy of all personal and commercial-in-confidence information.
If your DAID Fund application is successful, you will be contacted by the department and informed of the amount and timing of the funding. The business name of the recipient and a brief description of the funded activity may be made public by the department.
What will not be considered as eligible sources of matched funding?
Matched funding cannot be sourced from 'in-kind' (i.e. non-cash) contributions, or other Commonwealth or Queensland Government programs targeting SMEs that subsidise international market engagement, market development, or certification activities. Matched funding is an upfront requirement and the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their business has adequate cash flow available to accommodate all activity costs (i.e. eligible and non-eligible costs) at the time of application, and for the duration of the approved activities (i.e. trade shows or certification).
Do I need to have the matched contributions available upfront?
Yes. Payment from the DAID Fund will be made in arrears of eligible costs incurred and evidence of payment provided to the department (i.e. copies of official receipts issued for payments made). Claims for payment must be accompanied by an official tax invoice addressed to the department.
What are the GST obligations associated with receiving a DAID Fund grant?
Under Australian taxation law, government grants are treated as financial assistance payments and may constitute a taxable supply for GST purposes. The department strongly recommends applicants seek independent professional taxation advice regarding their business tax obligations. Grant payments made by the department to approved applicants will not include GST.
Are professional fees considered eligible costs for reimbursement?
No. Professional fees, such as, legal and accountancy fees are not considered eligible expenditure. For further information, refer to the list of ineligible activities and costs under section 5.1 of the guidelines.
Is my business eligible for funding if its head office is not located in Queensland?
Yes. SMEs with a head office located interstate are eligible to apply; however, interstate applicants need to ensure their Queensland-based operations solely benefit from the activity for which they have applied for fund assistance. Therefore, funding may only be applied for the purpose of ensuring Queensland-based operations or systems, or products produced in Queensland, meet international certification standards.
Is my business eligible for funding if less than five employees are employed in Queensland?
Yes. SMEs that employ five or more employees, but have less than five employees located in Queensland, are eligible to apply. However, in this instance the funding application will need to demonstrate how certification activities will directly benefit Queensland-based operations. Businesses that do not employ five or more employees are not eligible for DAID Fund assistance.
Is it necessary to show evidence of compliance with Queensland industrial relations, and workplace health and safety regulations, with my funding application?
No. While compliance with the above regulations is required, it is not necessary to provide evidence of this with your application. However, you will need to ensure that evidence of compliance can be produced if requested by the department during the application assessment process.
What qualifications does my consultant need to help prepare my business for certification?
To be eligible for support from the fund, you will need to:
engage a consultant to carry out the pre-certification tasks that are required. As a minimum requirement, the consultant you select will need to be certified to ISO9001 or AS/NZS ISO 9001.
engage an independent certification body that is accredited by JAS-ANZ, or other international accreditation body, to inspect and certify that your business fulfils the requirements of the specified international standard.
I already have a quote from my preferred consultant that is valid for 30 days, will this be adequate?
No. You will need to ensure the quote from your consultant is valid for up to 90 days from the date the quote was issued. It’s also important to ensure your quote is dated on or after 1 November 2019.
1.8 MB) and frequently asked questions before you begin your application, and note that only online applications will be accepted.