AI Activator Program: Funding for AI Innovation in Australia 2026
The AI Activator program supports Australian businesses in building internal AI capabilities through training, strategic planning, and pilot implementations. This guide covers everything you need to know about eligibility, funding amounts, and application process.
- Australian-registered business
- Annual turnover AUD $1M–$500M
- Clear business case for AI investment
- Commitment to share learnings
- Co-investment required (matched funding)
- Check program guidelines and open grant rounds
- Prepare business case and project plan
- Obtain quotes from approved providers
- Submit application during open round
- Await competitive assessment (6-8 weeks)
- Sign funding agreement
- Execute project within 12 months
- Submit milestone reports
- Receive staged payments upon completion
What Is the AI Activator Program?
AI Activator is a competitive grants program that helps mid-market Australian businesses accelerate their AI capabilities. Unlike AI Adopt (which targets initial adoption), AI Activator focuses on businesses ready to scale their AI usage with more substantial investments.
Key Features
- Higher funding cap — Up to AUD $50,000 in matched funding
- Broader scope — Covers training, strategy, pilots, and governance
- Industry focus — Priority sectors include manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and financial services
- Capability building — Emphasis on building lasting internal AI skills, not one-off projects
Eligibility Criteria
- Australian-registered business
- Annual turnover between AUD $1 million and AUD $500 million
- Demonstrated commitment to AI capability building
- Clear business case for AI investment
- Willingness to share learnings with the broader business community
What Can Be Funded?
| Category | Examples | Max Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Executive workshops, team bootcamps | 40% |
| Strategy | AI roadmap, governance framework | 30% |
| Pilot | Proof-of-concept implementation | 20% |
| Assessment | AI readiness audit, gap analysis | 10% |
How to Apply
- Review program guidelines on the Department of Industry website
- Prepare your business case with clear AI objectives and expected outcomes
- Select an approved provider for your training and consulting needs
- Submit application during the open grant round
- Participate in assessment — Applications are competitively assessed
- Execute your project within 12 months of approval
Why Choose Pertama Partners
Our AI Activator-eligible programs combine strategic advisory with hands-on training:
- Comprehensive AI Readiness Audit
- Executive and board-level AI strategy sessions
- Team training with practical skills focus
- Governance framework development
- Ongoing advisory support
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
AI Adopt provides up to AUD $20,000 for businesses starting their AI journey. AI Activator offers up to AUD $50,000 for businesses ready to scale their AI capabilities with more comprehensive programs.
AI Activator is a competitive grants program assessed on business case strength, expected outcomes, and industry impact. Strong applications with clear ROI projections and approved providers are more likely to succeed.
Yes, but not for the same project. If you received AI Adopt funding for an initial assessment, you can apply for AI Activator to fund the next phase of your AI journey.
- •AI Readiness Audit
- •Executive AI Strategy Session
- •AI Governance Framework
- •Team AI Transformation Program
- •AI Pilot Implementation
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