Cameron Storey The Quick Version The May 2026 Federal Budget announced the most significant package of R&D Tax Incentive changes since the 2020 amendments. A higher core offset rate, tighter activity definitions, and revised eligibility thresholds will reshape how Australian businesses claim R&D tax credits from FY29 onwards. But the reforms come with a two-year runway. FY26 … Read more
The Quick Version Your research and development (R&D) spend happens in real time. Salaries land every fortnight, contractor invoices arrive monthly, and cloud infrastructure costs don’t pause for the end of the financial year. The R&DTI refund, on the other hand, arrives as a lump sum from the ATO months after you lodge your return. … Read more
The Quick Version Ask a growth-stage CFO about R&D commercialisation in Australia, and you’ll hear a familiar frustration. The company is spending more on research and development than ever. The technology works. But somehow, the revenue hasn’t caught up. They’re not alone. In 2023–24, Australian businesses collectively invested $24.4 billion in R&D, an 18% jump … Read more
The Quick Version Australian startup funding looks healthy from a distance. In 2025, venture capital investment hit $5.4 billion across 390 deals, according to the State of Australian Startup Funding report by Cut Through Venture and Folklore Ventures. That’s a 31% increase on 2024 and the third-largest funding year on record. But the headline obscures … Read more
The quick version Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Rocking Horse Group is a specialist R&D finance lender, not a tax advisor. The information below reflects publicly available ATO guidance as of May 2026. Always consult your accountant or R&D advisor for guidance specific to … Read more
The quick version Starting an Australian business has never looked more promising on paper. Venture capital is flowing, the government is expanding R&D incentives, and a Dealroom and AWS report found Australia produces billion-dollar companies more efficiently than the US, UK, or China. But if you’re actually in the early stages of building something, the … Read more
The Quick Version Three months ago, you were facing a cash flow gap that risked slowing your product roadmap. Your R&D Tax Incentive refund was still months away, while eligible spend continued to build. So you did the smart thing: you took out an R&D loan against that accrued expenditure and put the capital straight … Read more
Five themes every R&D-active business should be watching When Cooperative Research Australia brings together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders at The University Club of Western Australia this May for Collaborate & Innovate 2026, the conversation won’t be about whether Australia can innovate. That question was settled years ago. The real conversation is about what happens … Read more
The Quick Version You’ve spent $2 million on R&D this financial year. Your R&D Tax Incentive claim will return $870,000 at the refundable offset (your 25% company tax rate plus the 18.5% R&D premium, totalling 43.5% for most eligible companies under $20M turnover), and that number is probably sitting in your financial model right now, … Read more
You’ve just closed a quarter where your engineering team shipped three major features, refactored your authentication system, and started building a new customer portal. Your finance lead asks: “Which of these costs should we capitalise?” The question sounds simple. However, the answer reshapes your balance sheet, influences investor conversations, and determines how much you’ll claim … Read more
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