Overview
The $10 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 – Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy grants are part of the Distillery Door Program.
Program guidelines
Applications for this program will close at 11:59pm on 5 May 2023.
Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy
The Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy grants will provide direct funding to businesses under the Program.
Grants aim to:
- Support individual businesses to increase business capability and efficiency through investment and improvements in on-site infrastructure
- Support individual businesses to establish or enhance distillery doors, or promote visitor flow, showcasing Victoria’s tourism offerings
- 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.
2 Streams of funding for projects are available under the Program:
- Stream 1: grants of up to $20,000 (GST exclusive) are available to increase business capability and efficiency through investment and improvements in on-site infrastructure.
- Stream 2: grants of up to $70,000 (GST exclusive) are available to establish, enhance, or promote a distillery door, increasing visitation.
Grant recipients will be required to make a cash co-contribution of a minimum of 30 or 50 per cent 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 2021/22 financial year.
- 50% cash co-contribution if greater than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2021/22 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.
Applicants can apply for a grant for a maximum of two different projects, up to the total eligible stream value. For example, an applicant can apply twice for $10,000 under Stream 1 for 2 different projects.
What can the grant be used for?
Grant funding may be used for the following types of projects:
Stream 1
Projects that support distillery infrastructure development that will increase business efficiency or capacity, the adoption of new technology, improves safety or sustainability. These projects will allow distillers to enhance or expand their offerings as a premium Victorian producer.
- New equipment or small-scale infrastructure for the distillery (including signage)
- Technology adoption (excluding training and on-going maintenance and service support costs)
- Product diversification
- Items that support business efficiency and/or safety
Stream 1 projects must be completed and fully acquitted within 5 months of the execution of the Grant Agreement.
Stream 2
Projects that support distillery door establishment or enhancement to increase physical visitation to the distillery door. These projects will directly support Victoria’s tourism offerings and reputation as a premium producer of spirits.
- Establishment of a distillery door through a new build or building enhancements
- New equipment or large-scale infrastructure for the distillery (including signage) that will increase visitation
- Marketing costs – initial establishment costs for digital marketing, advertising, promotional collateral that will increase visitor flow (capped at $20,000 GST exclusive)
Other eligible expenditure may be accepted on a per case basis.
Stream 2 projects must be completed and fully acquitted by 31 March 2024.
When can I apply for a grant?
The program opened on 5 October 2022 and will close on Friday 5 May 2023 at 11:59pm.
Once my application is submitted, what happens next?
You will receive an automated email, stating your application has been received. From lodgement, applications will be assessed by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (the Department or DJPR) on merit against the assessment criteria. Applications that score 50% or above in the assessment criteria will be recommended for funding, until program funds are fully subscribed. You will be notified in approximately 4-6 weeks 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 licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages
- Hold a current general or producer’s liquor licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria
- Be able to meet the agreed (minimum 30-50%) 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
- Training costs associated with technology adoption
- Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
- The purchase, lease or acquisition of land and any travel, flight and accommodation costs
- Any vehicles (including tractors, forklifts, mortised bikes etc) or vehicle associated costs
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.
How to apply?
Please ensure you have read the guidelines thoroughly to ensure you are eligible, have all required documentation and understand what is required.