Up to $1.9 million in funding to support Australia’s national security by designing, piloting, testing and promoting a national, self-sustaining, Cyber Security industry professionalisation scheme.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program?
The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, is excited to announce the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Grant. This program is designed to enhance Australia’s national security by fostering a robust, skilled, and professional cyber security workforce.
Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program level of support
- The maximum grant amount is $1.9 million.
- The grant amount will be 100% per cent of eligible expenditure.
Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program objectives and outcomes
The objectives of the grant program are to:
- establish a pilot industry-led cyber security professionalisation scheme
- provide clear career, skills and education pathways for cyber security professionals, and quality assurance for employers about professional qualifications and cyber security experience of job seekers
- reduce barriers to entry into the cyber industry
- attract and retain diverse talent, and foster inclusive
- enhance domestic cyber capabilities through professionalising the cyber security workforce
- increase industry and business confidence in Australia’s cyber security workforce.
The intended outcomes of the program are:
- a pilot Cyber Security Professionalisation Scheme and standards developed in collaboration with industry
- a pilot Cyber Security Professionalisation Scheme that provides clear career skills and education pathways for workers in, and those seeking to enter, the cyber security workforce
- guidance for employers and employees regarding skills expectations for accredited professionals
- an evaluation of the pilot scheme:
- a strategy to increase industry uptake and participation in the scheme
- an independent funding mechanism to sustain the program following the pilot, that doesn’t introduce further barriers to entry into the cyber industry.
Activities and expenditure eligible for Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program support
To be eligible your project must address the objectives and outcomes listed at Section 2. Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and must include:
- the development and delivery of the pilot cyber security professionalisation scheme
- the development of career, skills and education pathways for cyber security professionals
- the establishment and involvement of an industry led co-design team/mechanism, or the involvement of an existing consortium of leading cyber industry representatives
- research of comparable schemes internationally and in comparable industries
- conducting, monitoring and evaluating the pilot scheme
- a strategy for how the scheme will be expanded nationally and become self-sustaining at the conclusion of the government funding period.
Your grant activities must also incorporate existing skills and experience from across the cyber workforce, including technical, non-technical and transferable skills that will foster growth and innovation of the industry.
Eligible expenditure items are:
- labour expenditure
- labour on-costs and administrative overhead (up to 30 per cent of labour costs)
- project management activities
- contract expenditure (cost of any agreed project activities that you contract others to do)
- travel (up to 5 per cent of eligible expenditure)
- purchase of computers, ICT software and hardware directly related to the project, including software licencing and subscription fees
- staff training that directly supports the achievement of project outcomes
- promotional activities to support the rollout of the scheme
- establishment costs including legal fees and registration fees
- the cost of an independent audit of project expenditure up to a maximum of 1 per cent of total eligible project expenditure.
Ineligible Expenditures
Expenditure items that are not eligible are:
- capital expenditure including the purchase or upgrade to fixed assets, buildings, and vehicles
- routine operational costs such as rent, utilities, communications, consumables and stationary
- equipment hire, unless the equipment is required to deliver or promote the scheme
- costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
- construction/capital works
- delivery of work that does not fall within the scope of this grant program.
Other Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program support
Eligible applicants must:
- Possess an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Have an account with an Australian financial institution.
Ineligible entities include those not compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act and organisations listed as non-compliant on the National Redress Scheme.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Project Alignment with Policy Intent (40 points): Projects must demonstrate alignment with the program’s objectives and outcomes.
- Collaborative Approach to Design and Implementation (20 points): Evidence of effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
- Knowledge, Capability, and Resources to Deliver the Project (20 points): Track record and organisational capacity to deliver project objectives.
- Pilot Promotion, Monitoring, and Evaluation (20 points): Strategies for promoting and evaluating the pilot scheme.
How do I get the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program application
Applicants must prepare the following:
- Detailed Project Plans
- Budgets
- Evidence Of Industry Support
Documentation proving compliance with relevant laws and standards, such as child safety, is also required.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program
Applications must be submitted via the business.gov.au and GrantConnect platforms.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Growing and Professionalising the Cyber Security Industry Program resources
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