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Research & Development Tax Incentives

Access available government funding for research and innovation, with end-to-end support from documentation to lodgement.

Access Funding for
Research & Development

The Australian Government offers several grants that can give innovative, eligible businesses the critical cash funding they need to invest in research and market development.

Yet not enough businesses take advantage of available funding. Of the businesses eligible for the Research & Development Tax Incentive, an estimated 70 per cent have never applied.

Ascentium manages the end-to-end application process for you, from identification through to submission.

How Does the R&D Tax Incentive Work?

The programme is jointly administered by the Department of Industry, Science & Resources (DISR) and the ATO, and eligibility centres on new knowledge, technical unknowns and experimentation.

The benefit depends on your company's size and tax position. 

Companies Under $20m Turnover

A refundable tax offset delivering a net cash benefit of 18.5 to 43.5 cents per dollar of eligible R&D spend, depending on your tax position. For companies in losses, the benefit is paid as cash.

Companies Over $20m Turnover

A non-refundable offset delivering a net benefit of 8.5 to 16.5 cents per dollar, depending on your R&D intensity, applied as a reduction in income tax payable. 

Core and Supporting Activities

Core activities are experimental work conducted to generate new knowledge, where the outcome cannot be known in advance. Supporting activities are those conducted to enable the core work, such as literature searches and project planning.

Deadlines and Thresholds

The minimum R&D expenditure for any income year is $20,000, and registration must be lodged within 10 months of your financial year-end. 

Note:The 2026-27 Federal Budget proposed reforms to the R&D Tax Incentive, including higher offsets and updated eligibility rules. The figures above reflect the current law, and we confirm the current settings as part of every claim. 

How We Manage Your Claim, End to End

Our full outsource model transfers the bulk of document preparation to us, minimising your time commitment, with an average completion from start to lodgement of 5 to 6 weeks. 
Step 1

Cost and Obligation-Free Assessment

We assess your eligibility and identify your potential R&D projects, at no cost and with no obligation.

Step 2

Prepare the Documentation

Using our interview-based reverse audit methodology, our STEM and accounting specialists distil your technical concepts into the lodgement documentation, including R&D project plans.

Step 3

Calculate the Expenditure

We calculate your eligible R&D expenditure on a project-by-project basis, across salaries and wages, contractors, feedstock inputs and materials, and overheads.

Step 4

Lodgement

We prepare your application for registration of R&D activities with the Department of Industry, Science & Resources (DISR) and, once approved, the R&D schedule for lodgement with the ATO.

Step 5

Liaison & Assessment

We liaise with the Department of Industry, Science & Resources (DISR) and the ATO in the event of any review or audit.

What Our R&D Tax Incentive Service Covers

From identifying eligible R&D activities to preparing your claim and managing ongoing compliance, we support you through every stage of the R&D Tax Incentive process.

R&D Tax Incentive Claim Preparation

Claims Review & Assessment

Private Ruling & Advance Findings

Documentation Review

R&D Workshop

Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC)

Why Choose Ascentium

Our R&D tax incentive experts combine deep technical knowledge with a track record few can match.

More than $230 million in incentives secured for clients to date, across a wide range of industries. 

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Access the Funding Your Business Deserves

Our team of specialists combines in-depth industry knowledge with a personal approach to deliver tailored solutions for your business.

Related Leaders

Billy Wall headshot

Billy Wall

Director of Commercial & Client Success

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Bailey Philips

Senior Manager, R&D Tax Incentives

Related Services

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Finance Function

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What Our Clients Are Saying

Brendma (Australia) Pty Ltd Logo
Client Since
2010
Client Rating
I've been thoroughly impressed with Ascentium's comprehensive approach to our company’s financial management. Their expert tax planning has helped us optimise our tax position, while quarterly reviews keep us informed about our company's financial health.

The management reports they provide are incredibly insightful, enabling us to analyse our business performance and make informed decisions. Their comprehensive business taxation services give us peace of mind, knowing our financial affairs are in expert hands.

I highly recommend Ascentium for their professionalism and dedication to client success. 
Victor Jeris
National Technical Sales Director
Brendma (Australia) Pty Ltd
Phyto-Therapy Pty Ltd LOGO
Client Since
2024
Client Rating
We have had the pleasure of working with Mark and the team at Ascentium across our business and financial requirements.

From a business perspective, they have provided advice and guidance across many areas, including supporting us through the sale of part of our business, as well as R&D grants, taxation, payroll and company structuring. Their proactive approach and practical advice have supported our growth and future planning.

Mark’s thoughtful approach and genuine care for clients also stands out, with clear, practical advice provided throughout our engagement. As a result, we highly recommend him and his team at Ascentium. 
Angeline Saver
Head - People and Culture
Phyto-Therapy Pty Ltd
Quiton Anthony Logo
Client Since
2022
Client Rating
Mark Wellings and his team at Ascentium provide proactive advice on tax structuring and organisational effectiveness that is deeply considered, clearly reasoned, and built around an understanding of our broader financial strategy. Their collaboration with our external bookkeeping and financial planning advisors is seamless, with execution matching the quality of their thinking.
Sergio Floyd
Founder & Managing Director
Quinton Anthony Pty Ltd
My Biologics Logo
Client Since
2015
Client Rating
Working with the team at Ascentium Australia has been an excellent experience. Their expertise across BAS lodgements, bookkeeping advice, multi-company tax returns, ASIC agent services, and ongoing compliance and advisory work has delivered real clarity and efficiency. Justyn and his team are reliable, knowledgeable, and consistently add value to our operations. 
Nicole Schoeman
Accounts & Administration
My Biologics Pty Ltd
braincast logo
Client Since
2008
Client Rating
We really appreciate the guidance we received from Ascentium through the process on the nature of information required for the submission and how to collate it in clear and concise language that translated policy requirements into tangible concepts. 
Dr. Govinda Poudel
Chief Technical Officer
BrainCast
David Anderson Building Logo
Client Since
2016
Client Rating

Working with Justyn, Kaaya, and the team has given us confidence and peace of mind as we’ve grown our businesses. As small business owners, having trusted advisors who genuinely understand our businesses and provide practical, proactive accounting and tax advice has been invaluable.

From their meticulous attention to our BAS, tax obligations, and financial reporting, to ensuring we remain compliant while helping us make informed business decisions, we’ve always felt supported and in safe hands.

Their responsiveness and ability to explain complex accounting matters in a clear and practical way has made a significant difference to our business journey.

David Anderson
Founder
David Anderson Building Pty Ltd
Scalare Partners
Client Since
2023
Client Rating
Ascentium’s ability to navigate complex accounting matters and regulatory requirements was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome for Scalare Partners. 
James Walker
Founding Partner
Scalare Partners
wisdom logo
Client Since
2021
Client Rating
The most valuable thing for me is freeing up my time and giving me a better understanding of my business revenue, expenses, and where we need to focus – now also extending to how I look at finances across my personal life as well. 
Dr Khaled Zhoud
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Wisdom Centre (Dr Khaled Zoud)
Thrive Refugee Enterprise
Client Since
2018
Client Rating
Ascentium has been a long-term partner of Thrive and we’re now at a stage in our growth together where our accounting processes represent best practice, supported by a robust back office function that performs the operational accounting and compliance effectively. 
Chris O'Neill
Financial Controller
Thrive Refugee Enterprise
UAG Bio Nutrients and UAG Macadamias
Client Since
2020
Client Rating
Their services are quite broad and they are remarkably detailed and concise in getting everything done. They do all our accounting, including the ASIC and shareholder work. 
John Barraclough
Executive Chairman
UAG Bio Nutrients & UAG Macadamias
Streem
Client Since
2021
Client Rating
The team at Ascentium offered a very comprehensive back end operational approach that was streamlined in order to reduce the amount of time required by Streem employees and management. This meant we could identify the real value drivers across the business. 
PK Rai
Chief Financial Officer
Streem

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The three main incentives are the R&D Tax Incentive, which provides cash rebates and offsets for research and development, the Export Market Development Grant, which supports the promotion of exports, and the Early Stage Innovation Company incentive, which provides tax concessions to investors in innovative start-ups.

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