A significantly updated version of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) application form was officially released on 15 August 2025. The new form is now available (and is mandatory) when you are seeking to register your R&D activities via the R&DTI portal for FY25 and beyond.

The R&D Tax Incentive is a vital source of funding for Australia’s life sciences sector, but getting it right requires careful planning and consideration. From grant interactions and IP cost eligibility to capital raises and foreign ownership, we’ve outlined 10 critical issues to think about before you lodge.

From the $22.7B Future Made in Australia agenda to the promise of new funding for innovation, manufacturing, and SMEs, the re-election of the Albanese Labor government is expected to see a raft of programs and policies implemented to support Australian businesses. We've summarised what the next term has in store with a focus on the already announced support for its national industry priorities, as well as policies and programs that might further R&D and innovation.

The R&D Tax Incentive expressly excludes certain activities from qualifying as ‘core R&D activities’. However, these excluded activities can still qualify as supporting R&D activities if a sufficient nexus to the conduct of the core R&D activity can be established. A recent Administrative Review Tribunal ruling has helpfully clarified that medical and health related research, even when involving behavioural aspects, is not excluded and is capable of being registered as an eligible core R&D activity.

The end of the financial year is once again here, and it brings with it some important considerations. If you’re planning to lodge an R&D Tax Incentive claim for FY25, now is the time to check in with your advisors and ensure you're across a few key issues before 30 June.

Intellect Labs’ R&D Tax Facts is a summary of important developments in the world of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) over the last 3 months.

How does the 2025-26 Federal Budget stack up in terms of support for Australian companies pursuing R&D, innovation and new technology development.

The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive is a critical program for businesses engaging in innovation, providing financial support through tax offsets. One mechanism within this framework is the Advance Finding, which allows companies to seek pre-approval from the government to confirm the eligibility of their R&D activities before embarking on their R&D project.

A summary of developments in the world of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) program from the previous quarter.

The Australian Federal Government has announced as part of the 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook that gambling and tobacco companies will no longer be able to access the R&D Tax Incentive. The move is indicative of the government seeking to align public funding with societal objectives, reducing indirect subsidies to industries linked to public harm but raising concerns about future industry-specific restrictions.

A summary of developments in the world of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) program from the previous quarter.

An important reminder for Australian businesses with a 31 December year - the deadline for lodging your 2023 R&D Tax Incentive Application is now less than a month away (31 October 2024).

In May 2024, AusIndustry released an updated version of their software sector guidance for the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI). It’s important to be aware of any changes to guidance materials as this provides an insight into how the program will be administered and the key considerations of the regulators.

Our R&D Tax Facts is a summary over the previous quarter of developments in the world of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) program.