As part of its efforts to improve the state of the economy and the overall development of the country, the Australian Government offers grants for research and development to criteria-matching businesses. These grants are not supposed to be repaid and they are generally awarded on a first-come-first-served basis (for eligible businesses only).

The reason the government gives away these grants is the simple fact that it understands the importance of research in the development of the economy. The government grants for research and development contribute to raising productivity as well as the living standards of the Australian population. Basically, the research and development grants are intended to encourage and help both individuals and companies to continue and enhance their research activities in a variety of fields.

Research and development grants vary from medical research to studies meant to reduce the poverty levels of the country. There are several agencies that specialise in research grants and one of the most important of them is AusAID. This is an aid programme that supports all types of research that have as a main objective the achievement of sustainable social development and the reduction of poverty in all regions of the country. Some of the research grants available through AusAID include
the Human Rights Research Grants and the Australian Development Research Awards.

Academic excellence in various research fields is rewarded with a series of government grants provided by the National Competitive Grants Program, which is developed by the Australian Research Council. This is a programme that funds research activities in a variety of fields, ranging from biotechnology to earth sciences and humanities. The government grants are awarded on a yearly basis, after a panel of global research experts review carefully each application. The aim of this programme is to nurture the skills and creative abilities of the best researchers from a wide range of Australian educational institutions.