Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia – Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024
I, Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, make the following direction to Industry Innovation and Science Australia.
Dated: 12 April 2024
Ed Husic
Minister for Industry and Science
Contents
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Assessment of eligible applications
6 Relationship to object of Act
1 Name
This instrument is the Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia - Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
Commencement information |
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
Provisions | Commencement | Date/Details |
1. The whole of this instrument | The day that it is made. | |
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 19(1) of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.
4 Definitions
In this instrument:
Act means the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.
Eligible Application means an application for funding under the Industry Growth Program that meets the eligibility criteria in the relevant Grant opportunity guidelines.
Grant opportunity guidelines means guidelines that approved by the Minister for the operation and administration of the Industry Growth Program, including (i) the Industry Growth Program: Early‑Stage Commercialisation Grant Opportunity Guidelines, and (ii) the Industry Growth Program: Commercialisation and Growth Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
IISA means the body established by section 6 of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, known as Industry Innovation and Science Australia.
Industry Growth Program means the program established by the Industry Research and Development (Industry Growth Program) Instrument 2023.
Priority area of the Australian economy means those areas of the Australian economy declared by a legislative instrument to be a priority area of the Australian economy for the purposes of section 6 of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Act 2023.
SME has the same meaning as in the Grant opportunity guidelines.
5 Advice about Industry Growth Program grants
(1) A function of IISA is to provide advice to the Minister or delegate on matters relating to:
(a) the operation of the Industry Growth Program grants; and
(b) award of grants under the Industry Growth Program, including, but not limited to, undertaking a merit assessment of Eligible Applications under the Industry Growth Program.
(2) IISA’s power to provide advice relating to the award of specific grants under subsection (1)(b) is limited to advice that relates to:
(a) the purposes of the Industry Growth Program set out in subsections 5(2) and (3) of the Industry Research and Development (Industry Growth Program) Instrument 2023; and
(b) the assessment criteria specified in the relevant Grant opportunity guidelines for each grant.
6 Relationship to object of Act
The function conferred on IISA by section 5 of this instrument relates to the object of the Act, to position Australia as a leading innovation nation by authorising spending on programs relating to industry, innovation, science and research.
Overview
The Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia – Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024I was enacted to provide guidance and direction to Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) in relation to the Industry Growth Program. This direction was issued by the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, on 12 April 2024, under subsection 19(1) of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986. The primary aim of this legislation is to ensure that IISA effectively advises on the administration and operation of the Industry Growth Program, which is designed to foster innovation and growth in key sectors of the Australian economy. This direction aims to support the overarching objective of the Act, which is to position Australia as a leading innovation nation by investing in industry, innovation, science, and research programs.
Scope and Application
The Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia – Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024 applies to Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA), an entity established under the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, and pertains specifically to the Industry Growth Program. This direction was made under subsection 19(1) of the Act and commenced on the date it was made. It involves the provision of advice to the Minister or delegate regarding the operation of Industry Growth Program grants, including the merit assessment of eligible applications, which are defined as applications meeting the eligibility criteria in the relevant grant opportunity guidelines. The direction is limited to the purposes of the Industry Growth Program and the assessment criteria specified in the grant opportunity guidelines. This direction aims to position Australia as a leading innovation nation by authorising spending on programs related to industry, innovation, science, and research.
Key Provisions
The Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia – Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024 outlines key provisions governing the Industry Growth Program administered by Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA). This instrument, made under subsection 19(1) of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, specifies that IISA has the function of providing advice to the Minister or delegate on matters related to the operation and award of grants under the Industry Growth Program (section 5). Specifically, IISA can undertake a merit assessment of eligible applications under the Industry Growth Program, ensuring these align with the purposes and criteria set out in the relevant Grant opportunity guidelines (section 5(1)(b)). The advice IISA provides must pertain to the objectives of the Industry Growth Program and the assessment criteria specified in the guidelines (section 5(2)). This advice is crucial in ensuring that grants are awarded in line with the overarching goal of positioning Australia as a leading innovation nation, as set out in the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.
IISA is mandated to undertake specific functions related to the Industry Growth Program, which includes the provision of advice to the Minister or delegate on the operation and award of grants. These obligations require IISA to ensure that all advice given regarding the grant awards is strictly in line with the purposes of the Industry Growth Program and the criteria specified in the Grant opportunity guidelines. IISA must also ensure that the Industry Growth Program aligns with the broader objective of the Act, which is to foster Australia's position as a leading innovation nation through industry, innovation, science, and research initiatives. This involves rigorous assessment of applications to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and contribute to the program's objectives. Additionally, IISA must ensure that any advice provided is based on a merit assessment, thus maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the grant awarding process.
Breach of the obligations outlined in the Industry Research and Development (Industry Innovation and Science Australia – Industry Growth Program) Direction No.1 2024 could result in various consequences. While the document does not specify particular offences or penalties, non-compliance with the Act’s objectives or failure to adhere to the assessment criteria could lead to scrutiny and potential corrective actions from the Minister or relevant authorities. Such breaches might also impact the reputation and effectiveness of IISA in administering the Industry Growth Program. It is important for IISA to diligently follow the guidelines and criteria to avoid any negative repercussions, including the possibility of recommendations for amendments or revisions to the program administration. The document does not explicitly detail maximum penalties for breaches, but the implications of non-compliance could be significant, affecting the program’s credibility and the achievement of its intended objectives.