The Growth Program is a competitive grant program targeted to Victorian First Peoples-owned and operated businesses, Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner Corporations and Registered Aboriginal Parties and delivered over a 12-month period.

The Growth Program is conducted in 2 stages – expressions of interest (EOI), followed by a targeted invitation to apply based on outcomes of the EOI stage.

The program aims to empower First Peoples within the tourism sector by increasing the capacity of businesses to pursue economic development activities as they relate to the visitor economy.

The EOI stage of the program closed on 30 July 2025 and no further EOIs can be submitted. Successful EOI applicants are now invited to submit a final grant application for competitive assessment.

Eligible applicants who were successful in the EOI process are invited to submit a grant application up to $125,000 (exclusive of GST).

An invitation to apply for program funding does not guarantee your project will be approved for funding.

Four types of activity streams will be funded through the Growth Program.

Stream A – Workforce Development

This will support accredited and non-accredited tourism training for owners and staff/tourism skills training and membership/certification to expand or grow existing tourism offerings or capture a new market segment. This may include:

• micro-credentials, accredited and non-accredited training
• tourism certification e.g. Quality Tourism Framework, Ecotourism or Strive4Sustainability
• tourism and/or business Memberships e.g. Kinaway, Supply Nation or Victoria Tourism Industry Council
• other.

Stream B – Industry Excellence and Planning

This will support tourism product development and growth, undertaking strategic planning and progressing investment readiness. This may include:

• meeting, gathering place and cultural centre concept design
• product development
• business case development
• funding strategy development
• pre-feasibility and operational viability studies
• tourism asset and equipment requirement assessments
• relevant technical investigations, plans and reports to progress initiatives
• strategic asset management plans
• tourism marketing plans and website development.

Stream C – Cultural Heritage Stewardship

This will support cultural practice projects, language and intergenerational knowledge transfer initiatives, amalgamation of sense of place, history and protocols as they pertain to tourism. It may include:

• digitising and archiving of knowledge
• legal costs for ICIP strategies
• placemaking, including wayfinding and interpretive signage
• video production and cultural practice recording and documentation of traditional songs, dances, and ceremonies
• cultural mentorship programs
• initiatives that preserve significant cultural sites and artifacts including revitalisation of Indigenous languages, oral histories, and cultural practices.

Stream D – Asset Investment

This will support the purchase or lease of fixed assets, plant and equipment to expand or deliver a new tourism product. It may include:

• commercial leases for the term and purpose of the project
• purchase of assets and equipment for the purpose of the project e.g. vehicles, watercraft, boats and kayaks, outdoor equipment for hiking and camping**
• traditional instruments and artifacts
• craft workshop tools, supplies and equipment
• hospitality plant, equipment and fit out
• display cabinets and shopfitting
• furnishings and lighting.

This is a targeted program, and funding is only available to recognised Victorian First Peoples-led businesses that are either already operating in the tourism sector or plan to explore opportunities in tourism.

Only applicants who were successful in the EOI process are invited to submit a final grant application for competitive assessment.

A First Peoples-led business is one where it is majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-owned and operated. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people must own and operate at least 51% of the business.

Applicants must hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.

Businesses will be provided with an individual link and any feedback on their EOI proposal via email and should complete an application using the designated template on the Business Victoria Grants Portal by 23 January 2026.

Program Guidelines can also be found on the Business Victoria Website. Applications will only be accepted via the online template.

Applicants may be required to download documents from the Application template if applicable to their project. These can then be uploaded as an attachment within the Application template.

Applicants may be subject to due diligence assessments so the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions can assess eligibility and any risks associated with proposed activities.

Applicants will need to include the following details in their application:

• Applicant details.
• Short project description and scope.
• Confirmation that the application is substantially based on the EOI submitted to the Growth Program with similar project details and outcomes. Applications will be compared to the EOI submitted and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) reserves the right to not progress an application should it be determined that the application project is not based upon the EOI submitted.
• A detailed Project Plan (downloadable template provided in the documents section of the application template).
• Co-contribution of funds evidence (if applicable).
• Applications over $50,000 must provide evidence which demonstrates, to the satisfaction of DJSIR that the business is financially viable.
• For projects involving minor building works or upgrades, the applicant must provide evidence of relevant permits, land/building ownership or consent from landlords (downloadable landlord consent form template provided in the documents section of this form).
• For projects involving the purchase of movable assets, the applicant must provide a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) to support the operational life of the asset (downloadable SAMP template provided in the documents section of this form).
• To demonstrate intended use of funds, recent quotations (less than 6 months old) or pricing for proposed goods (e.g. equipment) from suppliers (may be sales website information) OR quotations with itemised goods and/or services provided from a proposed third-party service provider.
• Other relevant plans, designs, letters of support relevant to your project.

Program information sessions about the First Peoples Tourism Growth Program will be held in December 2025.

Potential applicants can register at this link: First Peoples Tourism Growth Program Application Info Session – Fill out form

Applications will close 5pm Friday 23 January 2026.

• costs directly associated with delivering the growth projects
• reasonable administration and overhead costs up to 10% of the total budget that relate to and/or benefit the project which have been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Department
• external professional services/consultant fees directly associated with delivering the project. The Department reserves the right to determine eligible activities and expenditure in alignment with program objectives and outcomes.

• costs not directly associated with delivering the growth projects
• usual operational expenditure, including existing staff wages that do not relate to or benefit the project
• requests for retrospective project funding, where projects have been completed prior to receiving funding approval
• costs related to preparing the grant application
• any ongoing expenses, leases and other expenses after the program completion date as agreed in the funding agreement
• projects previously funded through the First Peoples Tourism Industry Strengthening Program, unless applicants can demonstrate additional or new outcomes. additional or new outcomes.

The Department reserves the right to determine any other ineligible activities and expenditure.

A link to an Application template and downloadable Project plan will be provided to each Eligible applicant directly when they receive notification via email from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions that their EOI application was successful and they are invited to submit a final grant application for competitive assessment.

It is mandatory to provide a Project plan with your application.