TCF small businesses in Australia to get $2.5mn grant

11 Dec '13

2 min read

Australian Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, has announced the opening of Round 9 of the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) Small Business Programme, which will provide grants totaling Au$ 2.5 million.

Under the programme, small businesses in the TCF sector are invited to apply for grants of up to Au$ 50,000, to help them transform their business so they can thrive and compete at home and abroad.

“Australian textile, clothing and footwear small businesses have an international reputation for flair, cutting-edge designs and manufacturing high quality garments,” Mr Macfarlane said in a press release.

“The TCF Small Business Programme is helping businesses harness these attributes, so they can grow and succeed. By embracing technology and innovation, and adopting sound business practices, our TCF sector will improve productivity and compete with the best,” the Minister added.

According to the Minister, small businesses employed nearly half of the private sector workforce in Australia, and had an important role in raising the standard of living of all Australians.

The TCF Small Business Programme gives enterprising small businesses that manufacture textiles, clothing or footwear in Australia the opportunity to improve their operations and competitiveness.

Australian fashion designers are also eligible to apply for availing the grant, if they manufacture in Australia.

So far, 548 businesses have been benefited through the TCF Small Business Programme, which has also supported projects to transform business operations. Projects have included business strategy and mentoring, marketing and branding, manufacturing process upgrades, e-commerce and export opportunity development.

The last date for application for Round 9 of TCF Small Business Programme is February 28, 2014.

To be eligible for the grant, TCF small businesses must manufacture an eligible TCF product in Australia, or design an eligible TCF product for manufacture in Australia. They must have fewer than 20 employees; have a minimum turnover of Au$ 100,000; and provide a minimum cash contribution to the project of 25 percent of eligible expenditure.

The program is competitive and applications are assessed on merit, according to AusIndustry, a specialist program delivery division within the Department of Industry.

AusIndustry would run workshops nationally in early 2014 to assist businesses applying for the program.

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