Australia’s steel industry is undergoing one of the most significant periods of transformation in its history, driven by the shift to low-carbon production, automation, and intensified global competition. From fabricators investing in robotics, to mills trialling low-carbon feedstocks, to SMEs building digital capability, innovation is no longer optional. Innovation is the cost of staying in the game.
Yet one major barrier often stands in the way: funding. While there is an unprecedented level of government support available, many steel businesses simply do not have the time, resources, or in-house expertise to identify, apply for and administer grants, rebates and tax incentives.
That is precisely the gap A&M Australia was established to fill.
“A&M Australia commenced operations in 2020. We saw the Australian market as a strategic opportunity to expand our capabilities throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said David Gelb, Managing Director at A&M Australia.
A subsidiary of global advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal, A&M Australia specialises in helping organisations access government incentives related to research, development, innovation, environmental projects and capital investment. For the steel sector, where margins are tight and major upgrades demand significant capital, this expertise can be the difference between a project stalling or moving ahead.
Built for an industry in transition
A&M deliberately selected the steel industry as a core focus area.
“We specifically elected the steel industry to be a focus area for us, as we are cognisant of the transformational change confronting the industry,” Gelb explained. “This change is likely to be a catalyst for significant investment in innovation.”
Whether it is the redevelopment of fabrication facilities, automation of welding bays, trials of new surface treatments, or digitising production scheduling, many projects already qualify for existing state and federal incentives, but are either under-claimed or not claimed at all.
That is where A&M can help.
A specialist, outsourced solution
A&M provides a full-service model, beginning with a free eligibility assessment (for ASI members) to determine which incentives a business may be able to claim. From there, the A&M team prepares the required documentation, drafts the technical project descriptions, assembles financial evidence, completes submissions, and supports audit or governance requirements.
“A&M provides advice to help companies identify the available government incentives and assess whether their planned projects might qualify. We then assist with the completion of the application for the relevant government incentive,” said Gelb.
Unlike many providers who focus only on retrospective R&D tax claims, A&M’s approach is proactive and forward-looking, helping businesses plan activity around future incentive opportunities, rather than recovering past expenditure.
Their services include:
- Preparation of annual R&D tax project descriptions for AusIndustry
- Review of eligible expenditure for inclusion in company tax returns
- Drafting of required governance documentation
- Preparation of government grant applications
- Assistance with innovation strategy and technical problem solving
- Predictive data analytics to model business outcomes and cashflow impacts
Steel sector capability backed by engineering expertise
A&M’s point of difference is its multidisciplinary team. Rather than relying solely on accountants or tax agents, the firm brings together engineers, sector specialists, and data analysts who understand the language, machinery and operating realities of steel manufacturing.
“Our team comprises accountants and engineers, together with steel industry experts, who are adept at readily understanding the relevant industry issues,” said Gelb.
This industry fluency means A&M can help translate fabrication upgrades, welding automation, NDT innovation or process optimisation—work that may not look like R&D at first glance—into properly evidenced, compliant submissions that maximise entitlements.
Real results for fabricators and manufacturers
A&M has already helped Australian steel fabricators secure incentives that have materially reduced the cost of major equipment purchases, technology installations and workforce expansion.
“We have worked with steel fabricators to access government incentives that have been instrumental in defraying the cost of significant capital investments,” Gelb notes.
With some grants covering up to 50% of project value, and R&D rebates reaching 8.5% or more of eligible expenditure, the payback can be substantial.
For an industry poised at the crossroads of sustainability, digitisation and advanced manufacturing, there has never been a better time to turn innovation into measurable funding outcomes.
Free eligibility review for ASI members
To encourage more steel businesses to take advantage of the funding landscape, A&M is offering a no-obligation assessment to ASI members.
To learn more or request an eligibility assessment, contact: David Gelb (Managing Director, A&M Australia) on +61 412 258 961 or dgelb@alvarezandmarsal.com
