Questions about the Industry Diversification Program (IDP) – Transition Planning Stream
Where can I access information in other languages?
Please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 and let our operator know. They will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.
What support is available through this program?
The IDP provides eligible Victorian gas appliance manufacturers, and their input component manufacturers, with professional advice and grants to support their businesses to transition and plan for the future. Gas appliances may include (but are not limited to) gas cooktops, gas heaters and gas hot water appliances.
The IDP will be delivered in 2 streams:
Stream 1: Transition Planning Stream (TPS) | Through the TPS, eligible businesses can apply to receive professional advice and planning services to assist with the development of a Business Transition Plan (Plan). |
Stream 2: Implementing Transition Stream (ITS) | Following the completion of a Plan under the TPS, eligible businesses may be invited by the department to apply for a grant under the ITS to support the implementation of activities outlined in their Plan. Program Guidelines and further information for the ITS will be provided to eligible businesses that complete their TPS and are subsequently invited to apply for a grant under the ITS. |
Who is eligible for this support?
Businesses who are highly dependent on the gas appliance industry, as demonstrated by deriving at least 40% of business revenue from the sale of gas appliances or gas appliance input components, in the 2022-23, 2023-24 or the 2024-25 financial year.
A gas appliance business is eligible for support if they can demonstrate that they are responsible for the design, manufacture and supply of complete gas appliances, or a business that manufactures the individual parts or subsystems used in the assembly of finished gas appliances.
How do I calculate the percentage (%) of business revenue that is derived from the sale of gas appliances or gas appliance input components?
Business revenue includes gross sales income before deductions for expenses and excludes sales tax.
As part of the application process, businesses must provide reasonable evidence of sales of gas appliances and/or input components for gas appliances, such as off take agreements, invoices, receipts or other sales documentation.
Does my participation in the IDP Transition Planning Stream Package cost anything?
No, there is no financial co-contribution associated with participating in the Transition Planning Stream, however you will need to invest your time.
Am I obligated to participate in program evaluation post-completion of the program?
Yes. You or an authorised representative of your business will receive an email from the Industry Transition Team inviting you to complete a survey 3 months after the completion of your engagement.
How will my personal information be treated?
For the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions' (the department) practices and policies related to the collection, use and storage of applicant’s information, please read the Privacy Statement.
If successful, will my project details be made public?
The department may include the name of the recipients and the amount of grants in its annual report. The department also reserves the right to publicise the benefits accruing as the result of the provision of this program and may seek your agreement to issue a media release regarding your project.
Do businesses have a right of appeal?
There is no right of appeal, but the department will provide feedback on request to ineligible applicants.
How do I submit a complaint or offer feedback?
To raise a matter, please email: industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
What should I do if I have technical issues accessing the Industry Diversification Program, Business Transition Services application form?
We understand that sometimes the unexpected does happen. Please take a screenshot of the problem or error message and email: industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
Questions about eligibility
I am highly dependent on the gas appliance industry, but not a manufacturer. Am I eligible for support?
This program is only available for Victorian manufacturers who manufacture finished gas appliances, or manufacture input components for gas appliances.
The following gas-reliant businesses are not eligible unless they also undertake manufacturing operations in Victoria (and satisfy all of the Eligibility Criteria):
- importers of gas appliances and/or gas appliance components
- wholesalers of gas appliances or gas appliance components
- retailers of gas appliances or gas appliance components
- service businesses including (but not limited to) plumbing services, gas fitting services, certifiers, maintenance and servicing businesses.
What if my business is not located in Victoria but is reliant on the gas appliance industry?
To receive support from the IDP Business Transition Stream Program a business must have a physical presence in Victoria, and be an employing business.
My ABN has been cancelled, can I still apply?
No. To be an eligible business you must have held an ABN on and from 28 July, 2023.
Can all business structures apply for support?
Most impacted businesses can apply, however the following organisations are ineligible for support through the Industry Diversification Program:
- Commonwealth, state and local government agencies or bodies
- companies not incorporated in Australia
- unincorporated entities
- publicly funded research institutions industry associations.
A full list of eligible and ineligible entity types is listed in Appendix A of the Program Guidelines.
If you are unsure if your business structure is eligible, please email: industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
Questions about submitting an application
Who can submit an application?
To complete your application, you will need to be an authorised representative of the business (such as an owner or director), or a person given authorisation by an authorised representative.
How long after I submit my application before I know the outcome?
The department will endeavour to assess applications within 4 weeks of submission. Successful businesses will be notified via email.
Can I submit a late application?
No, late applications will not be accepted.
How are applications assessed?
Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria as outlined in the program guidelines. All supplementary attachments and information provided as part of the application will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.
The department may contact you if further information is required.
How many applications can I submit?
Applicants are only eligible to submit one application for consideration under the program.
Can a joint application be submitted?
No. Joint applications are not permitted under this Package.
I need help submitting my application, what should I do?
For assistance with your application, please email: industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
Questions about the IDP Transition Planning Stream Program
When are the opening and closing dates for applications?
The Program is open for applications until 31 March, 2026 at 11:59 pm (AEDT), or earlier at the department’s discretion.
What will I need to submit my application?
To complete your application for the Business Transition Services you will require:
- your business ABN
- your WorkCover Employer Number
- evidence of holding a WorkSafe Victoria Certificate of Currency (as at 28 July 2023)
- reasonable evidence of sales of gas appliances and/or input components for gas appliances, such as offtake agreements, invoices, receipts, sales documentation
- a Statutory Declaration from a Director or authorised person of the Applicant stating that the business is highly revenue dependent on the gas appliance industry.
Can I choose my own service provider to complete my Business Transition Plan?
No, this service may only be completed by a service provider selected by the department, unless otherwise agreed by the department.
Do I need to complete a Business Transition Plan to be eligible for grant support under the second phase of the Industry Diversification Program – the Implementing Transition Stream?
Yes. The Preliminary Business Diagnostic and Future Opportunities Assessment will provide a financial health check and an assessment of the manufacturer’s potential to transition away from their reliance on the gas appliance industry. These outcomes will inform the Business Transition Plan. Businesses may then be invited to apply for funding under the Implementing Transition Stream to implement eligible activities outlined in their Business Transition Plan.
If your business has already developed a Business Transition Plan, and if it is considered by the department to meet the requirements of the Transition Planning Stream, you may be invited to apply for funding under the Implementing Transition Stream. Please contact the Industry Transition Team on industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au for further guidance and information.
Am I guaranteed to receive an Implementing Transition Stream grant after completing the Business Transition Stream Program?
No. After completing a Business Transition Plan, businesses may be invited by the department to apply for a grant under the Implementing Transition Stream to support the implementation of activities outlined in their Business Transition Plan. Program Guidelines and further information on applying for grants under the Implementing Transition Stream will be provided to eligible businesses at this stage.
How do I know if I am successful in my application? What happens next?
The department will endeavour to notify each business about the outcome of their complete application within 4 weeks of applying.
If successful, a Successful Email will be sent to the authorised representative of the business. The service provider will contact the business within 5 days of the Successful Email.
Will the department have access to the Business Transition Plans generated by the supplier?
Yes. Both the Preliminary Diagnostic Report and Business Transition Plan will be provided to the business and to the department.
Will my business receive the transition support payment for the Transition Planning Stream?
No. The department will providing funding to the service provider to provide professional advice and planning services to the business.
If you have questions, or need further assistance, please email: industrytransition@ecodev.vic.gov.au.