Technology Assessment Scheme

The Dairy Australia Technology Assessment (DATA) Scheme can provide Australian dairy processors with financial assistance to assess the commercial viability of new technologies or practices. Priority is given to projects which can significantly improve the Australian dairy industry’s economic or environmental performance.

Co-funded by Dairy Australia and Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), the DATA Scheme is designed to enhance the rate and rigour by which the Australian dairy processing sector evaluates and screens emerging technologies of interest. The result should be fewer risks to subsequent investment decisions and accelerated technology uptake.

The ultimate aim of the DATA Scheme is to improve Australian dairy manufacturing margins, enhance returns to dairy farmers and advance the sustainable profitability of the broader Australian dairy industry by remaining at the forefront of technological innovation.

How to apply

Priority will be given to projects which seek to assess technologies with the capacity to improve the sector's performance with respect to the manufacturing-based targets under the Australian Dairy Industry Council's Sustainability Framework, namely:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions intensity
• Reduction of consumptive water intensity
• Reduction of waste to landfill
• Supporting Australian dairy packaging to be 100% recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025 or earlier