The $20 million Distillery Door Program will focus on developing skills, increasing tourism opportunities, expanding businesses through infrastructure investment and develop and grow exports, supporting employment and economic opportunities across Victoria. The Distillery Support – Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose grants are part of the Distillery Door Program.

Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose grants

The Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose grants will provide direct funding for tailored projects designed to help distillers take the next step in the development of their business.

Grants aim to:

• Support individual distilleries to build resilience and increase business capability, capacity and efficiency through investment and improvements of on-site infrastructure, sustainability and safety improvements, export capability and marketing.
• Ensure Victoria continues to be a premium producer of distilled alcoholic beverages and remains globally competitive
• Enable Victoria to become a leader in Australian distilled alcoholic beverage production.

Applications for Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose grants are now open.

• Opening date – 11 February at 9.00 am
• Closing date – 25 March 2025 at 5.00 pm

Funding of up to $200,000 (GST exclusive) is available to successful applicants.

Successful applicants will be required to make a cash co-contribution of a minimum of 30% or 50% of the total eligible expenditure on the project.

Co-contribution will be:

• 30% cash co-contribution if no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2023/24 financial year
• 50% cash co-contribution if greater than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2023/24 financial year

Co-contributions must be cash. In-kind contributions such as labour are not included. Any additional or ineligible costs associated with the overall project must be met by the grant recipient.

Download the program guidelines:

• Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose guidelines (PDF – 1 MB)
• Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose guidelines (WORD – 7 MB)

What can the grant be used for?

Grant funding may be used for the following types of projects:

• Plant and equipment to facilitate growth and competitiveness of businesses to meet demand and improve cost
• Technology adoption (excluding on-going maintenance and service support costs) to increase business efficiency
• Items that support product diversification and new product development
• Items that build on the Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Audit (HADGA) or general safety improvements at the distillery not eligible under the HADGA
• Items that enhance sustainability including electrification, greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy saving, waste reduction, water reduction
• Activities that increase export capability
• Marketing activities that increase consumer awareness of your product

Other eligible expenditure may be accepted on a per case basis.

The project must be completed and fully acquitted within 3 months of the execution of the Grant Agreement. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

When can I apply for a grant?

The program opened on 11 February 2025 and will close on 25 March 2025 at 5.00 pm.

Once my application is submitted, what happens next?

You will receive an automated email, stating your application has been received. Applications will be assessed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (the Department or DEECA) on merit against the assessment criteria. The highest-ranking applications will be recommended for funding until funds are fully subscribed.  You will be notified in approximately 6-8 weeks (may take longer if large volumes of applications are received) of the outcome.

Applicant eligibility

In order to apply, applicants must:

• Have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be registered as a business in Victoria
• Be a legal entity
• Own at least one still with a capacity of fifty (50) litres or more
• Hold a valid ATO Manufacturer’s Licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages
• Hold a current General, Producer’s or Remote Seller’s Lliquor Licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria
• Be able to meet the agreed (minimum 30-50 percent) cash co-contribution requirement

Who is not eligible?

• Producers of spirits that do not distil their own alcoholic beverages
• Government departments or agencies and local councils
• Unincorporated associations and franchisees
• Applicants that have applied for another state government grant for the same project
• Applicants not based in Victoria

What is not eligible

• Grants will not be provided for retrospective activities or purchases (i.e. activities that have occurred or purchases made prior to execution of the Grant Agreement or the commencement date for the project as set out in the Grant Agreement)
• Ongoing operating expenses or other ‘business as usual’ expenses (including but not limited to utility and product costs; maintenance and service support costs; advertising and social media; operational wage-related costs; online costs - such as internet connectivity, website domain names and hosting; e-commerce platforms)
• Single use items (e.g. bottles, labels, produce etc)
• Fees associated with permits for planning or annual certification
• Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
• The purchase, lease or acquisition of land
• Travel, flight and accommodation costs
• Any vehicles (including tractors, forklifts, mortised bikes etc) or vehicle associated costs
• Items without a quote or rationale as to why no quote can be provided

Any ineligible expenditure associated with the overall project must be met by the recipient.

What is a legal entity?

A legal entity is an association, corporation, trustee of a trust, or individual that has legal standing in the eyes of the law.

A legal entity has legal capacity to enter into agreements or contracts, assume obligations, incur and pay debts, sue and be sued in its own right, and to be held responsible for its actions.

Please ensure you have read the guidelines thoroughly to ensure you are eligible, have all required documentation and understand what is required.

Program guidelines

Distillery Support Business Growth Fit for Purpose Grant Guidelines WORD (DOCX 6840.22 KB)

Distillery Support Business Growth Fit for Purpose Grant Guidelines PDF (PDF 1242.79 KB)