Program overview
The $20 million Distillery Door Program will focus on developing skills, increasing tourism opportunities, expanding businesses through infrastructure and safety investment and develop and grow exports, supporting employment and economic opportunities across Victoria.
The Distillery Support – Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate is part of the Distillery Door Program.
Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
The Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate will provide direct funding to businesses under the Program.
The Rebate will assist distillers of alcoholic beverages to invest in equipment and infrastructure to improve safety in distilleries.
Before applying, please read the program guidelines.
Applications for the Distillery Support – Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate close on 30 June 2025 at 5pm or until funds are fully subscribed (whichever occurs first).
A Rebate of up to 70% or 80% of the total eligible expenditure (GST exclusive) or up to the maximum of $50,000 (GST exclusive), whichever is the lesser amount, is available for equipment and infrastructure that will support improvements to safety in distilleries.
Applicants will be required to make a cash co-contribution of a minimum of 20% or 30% of the total eligible expenditure on infrastructure and equipment on the project.
Co-contribution will be:
- 20% cash co-contribution if no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2022-23 financial year
- 30% cash co-contribution if greater than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2022-23 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 applicant
Download the program guidelines and supporting documentation.
What can the rebate be used for?
This program may provide a Rebate up to the value of $50,000 (GST exclusive) of eligible costs associated with one or more of these activities:
- Costs associated with having a Hazardous Area Assessment or Dangerous Goods Audit undertaken.
- Purchase and installation of equipment and infrastructure as recommended in either a Hazardous Area Assessment, Purchase and installation of equipment and infrastructure as recommended in either a Hazardous Area Assessment, Dangerous Goods Audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a WorkSafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector.
- Training specific to the technology for safe operation of equipment recommended (external costs only).
All funded activities must comply with Australian Standards (including installation) where required by regulation. Installations must comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and use licensed tradesmen when required by legislation, council regulation or the manufacturer’s instructions. This is the responsibility of the recipient; the Department is not liable in any way in relation to or in connection with the project, other than as expressed in the program guidelines.
As this is a Rebate program, all costs must be incurred before applying. If you have any concerns about item eligibility, prior to making your purchase please contact the Distillery Door Program team at distilleryprogram@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
There is no guarantee that any application for a Rebate will be supported.
When can I apply for a rebate?
The Rebate will close on 30 June 2025, or until funds are fully subscribed (whichever occurs first). Eligible assessments and costs incurred from 1 April 2023 until the closing date can be claimed.
Once my application is submitted, what happens next?
You will receive an automated email, stating your application has been received.
Applicants will be advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application within three weeks from lodgement, however this may take longer if large volumes of applications are received.
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 50 litres or more
- Hold a current ATO Manufacturer’s Licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages
- Hold a current Victorian General or Producer’s Liquor Licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria
- Have had a Hazardous Area Assessment, Dangerous Goods Audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a WorkSafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector – undertaken from 1 April 2023 to closing date
- Be able to meet the cash co-contribution (minimum 20% or 30%) required
- Agree to participate in future Program evaluation activities
- Meet all workplace and employment obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards and the rights and obligations under applicable industrial awards
Who is not eligible?
- A producer of spirits that does not distil their own alcoholic beverages
- A state government department, agency or local council
- An unincorporated association or franchise
- A potential applicant who has applied for another state government grant for the same project
- Not based in Victoria
What is not eligible?
- New or replacement stills
- Items not recommended in either a Hazardous Area Assessment, Dangerous Goods Audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a WorkSafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector
- General items related to brewing, wine making, distilled spirits and other beverage production that does not relate to hazardous areas and dangerous goods improvements (e.g. valves, tanks, packaging equipment, boilers, chillers and cooling towers, compressors)
- Motorised transport vehicles (eg. forklifts, trucks, utes, etc) or vehicle associated costs
- Routine maintenance costs
- Internal costs, salaries or resources of the Recipient
- Fees associated with permits for planning or annual certification
- Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
- Basic professional services such as ongoing, routine accounting, tax and legal business requirements, licensing, legal/intellectual property costs, financing fees
- Travel costs
- Any administrative fees or surcharges for administering the expenditures listed above; or
- Any other expenditure as determined by the Department that does not meet the Program guidelines or objectives.
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.
How to apply?
Please ensure you have read the program guidelines thoroughly to ensure you are eligible, have all required documentation and understand what is required.
