The Australian Government is building on its $251 million Enterprise Connect initiative by establishing the $20 million Defence Industry Innovation Centre in Dandenong. The Centre will open in mid-2009.
The Centre will assist SMEs in the defence sector improve their productivity and competitiveness by providing a full range of advisory services and assistance to find the best ideas, research and technology to improve their products, processes and efficiency.
Specialist Defence Industry Business Advisers in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will work one-on-one with businesses to help them compete against the international defence industry in terms of local and international contracts. More Business Advisers may be appointed in other regions in the future.
The Centre will integrate with the existing Enterprise Connect network which ensures nation-wide delivery of:
- business reviews, which may include benchmarking against best practice and other diagnostic services;
- financial support and ongoing mentoring for firms as they implement change;
- linking firms with the best market knowledge and research available;
- help to access other Government programs and cutting red tape;
- industry intelligence, workshops and networking opportunities, and
- other specialist services and advice relevant to firms within the defence sector.
The Centre will also develop a suite of additional services which could include:
- convening group innovation and business development projects;
- providing technical advice to business advisers and firms;
- providing balanced advice and business intelligence to SMEs on new technology, products and processes;
- providing access to prototyping and testing facilities to turn innovative ideas into new products, or to test products for new markets, and
- promoting industry-wide networks and relationships by undertaking events and awareness seminars across the Enterprise Connect network of offices.
For further information, call the Enterprise Connect Hotline between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm (AEST) on 131 791 (Australian callers only) or email
defenceindustrycentre@innovation.gov.au.