What is the Low Carbon Manufacturing Grant Program – Business Growth Stream?
The Business Growth Stream is a pilot initiative to assist Victorian manufacturers to capitalise on opportunities to produce products or components that support the transition to decarbonisation and net zero emissions.
When are the opening/closing dates for applications?
This stream is open for applications on 7 October 2022 and close on 30 November 2022 at 5pm (AEDT).
How do I know if my business is eligible?
To check your business’s eligibility for this stream, please refer section 2 of the program guidelines.
What types of projects will be considered eligible for this stream?
Projects must support the manufacturing of components or products for local and global supply chains that respond to market demand in the transition to a low carbon economy.
To be eligible, the project must involve the development or purchase of new equipment, processes, skills, or technology that directly support the making of products or components that will help the Victorian and global transition to net zero emissions.
Funding may support, but is not limited to:
- the purchase of capital equipment
- technology adoption and associated project expenditure for the manufacture of components and products that support the decarbonisation of the economy.
Examples of projects supported under this stream include:
Example 1: Recycling solar panels – invest in machinery and process improvements to efficiently recycle used solar panels to produce new solar panels or other products.
Example 2: Efficient heat pumps – invest in machinery to commercialise innovation and produce efficient heat pumps for use in domestic and commercial applications to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions from heating and cooling.
Example 3: Electric car charging stations – invest in machinery, process Improvements and workforce skill Improvements to produce electric charging stations which enable an increase in the uptake of electric vehicles.
Does a project need to relate to products or components in the renewable energy, low emissions energy supply chain?
No, your product (or component) could relate to any sector as long as it ultimately reduces carbon emissions.
For example, a project might focus on manufacturing products which provide better insulation or more efficient heating and cooling for use in domestic or commercial construction. This will reduce the need for artificial heating or air-conditioning and thereby reduce carbon emission.
Sustainable packaging solutions projects may in some instances be eligible where the new solution reduces emissions in the manufacturing process.
Are projects which improve the emissions of the manufacturing process eligible?
Projects that are limited to capital or process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions on site are ineligible under the guidelines of this Fund.
How do I apply?
Applicants must undertake the following steps to apply:
- Carefully read the program guidelines and confirm eligibility for this grant
- Compile all the necessary supporting documents to apply as detailed in the Application Section (Section 5) of the program guidelines
- Submit the application online via the program page.
- Await email confirmation of application submission. Please check spam/junk mail if confirmation email cannot be seen in your inbox.
Can I submit a late application?
No, late applications will not be accepted.
How much funding is available?
Grants of between $50,000 and $250,000, excluding GST, are available on a competitive basis.
How many applications can I submit?
Applicants are only eligible to submit one application for consideration for funding under this stream.
Can a joint application be submitted?
No. Joint Applications are not permitted under this stream.
What financial commitment is required from businesses?
All grants must be matched by a minimum cash co-contribution of $2 for every $1 granted.
Is in-kind allowable as co-contribution?
No. In-kind contributions are excluded (i.e., non-monetary resources).
Can other government funds form part of the co-contribution?
No. Funds from other Victorian or Commonwealth Government programs cannot form part of the co-contribution.
How do I calculate the cash co-contribution?
Example one: If the total project cost is $150,000 (excluding GST), the maximum grant contribution will be $50,000 (excluding GST). The remaining $100,000 (excluding GST) must be covered by the Applicant.
Example two: If the total project cost is $1,000,000 (excluding GST), the maximum grant contribution will be $250,000 (excluding GST). The remaining $750,000 (excluding GST) must be covered by the Applicant.
What is the size limit for attachments?
There is a 5MB limit for each attachment. If this limit will be exceeded, please compress documents before uploading.
Does the business need to be located in Victoria?
The business must be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain in Victoria.
Does the project need to be located in Victoria?
Yes. The project must be located in Victoria.
What is the definition of “employee” in the program?
Employee means full time or part time employee of the grant recipient with respect to whom Victorian payroll tax is payable. For the purpose of calculating the number of employees:
- figures must be based on payroll details as at the last pay day in each month throughout the period of the calculation; and
- part-time employees are to be included on a pro rata basis by reference to their working hours (on a full-time equivalent employee basis). Employees working in excess of standard full-time hours shall only be counted as one employee.
What does the program mean by “retained job”?
“Retained job” means employees already employed by the grant recipient in Victoria as at the date of the grant agreement and who must continue to be employed through the period of the project.
What does the program mean by “new job”?
“New job” means an employee employed to a newly created position and who has not been transferred from the grant recipient's existing operations, if any, in Victoria.
How are grant applications assessed?
Eligible applications will be assessed against the assessment 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.
To be competitive an application must address each assessment criterion and make the best possible case for funding. Claims made against each criterion must be substantiated and full details of all underlying risks and assumptions should be clearly stated.
When can I expect to hear the outcome of my application?
As the Victorian State election will be held on Saturday 26 November 2022, the Victorian Government will assume a caretaker role from 6:00pm on 1 November 2022 until such time that either it becomes clear that the incumbent government will be returned, or when a new government is commissioned. In line with the caretaker conventions, the incoming government will determine whether to proceed with this grant process and enter into grant agreements after the caretaker period.
All information about this grant process represents the position of the current government only and is subject to change. The incoming government may decide to not proceed with this grant process.
Do businesses have a right of appeal?
There is no right of appeal and feedback will be provided on request to unsuccessful applicants by the department.
Do successful applicants have to sign a grant agreement to receive funding?
Yes. Successful applicants will be sent a Letter of Offer inviting them to enter into a legally binding grant agreement with the department.
What is included in the grant agreement?
The grant agreement details all funding obligations and conditions. The final agreement with successful applicants will have some variations relating to the program.
Below is an example of a grant agreement with standard terms.
LCMGP – Business Growth Stream Grants Agreement Example (PDF 210.42 KB) 
How quickly do businesses have to start their projects?
Projects will be expected to commence within 60 days of execution of the grant agreement.
When do projects need to be completed?
Successful applicants will need to complete the project activities within 12 months of the date of the grant agreement.
Can I start my project before I have signed a grant agreement?
No. Funding will not be provided for retrospective activities, i.e. Where project expenditure is incurred prior to receipt and acceptance of a letter of offer and project commencement.
How will my personal information be treated?
For the departments 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?
Possibly. Grant recipients must agree to cooperate with the department in the preparation of materials used to promote the benefits of the program to industry, such as a media release or case study on the project and consult with the department prior to the publication of any project promotion materials.
Successful projects may be announced by the Minister in a media release and may also be listed on a Victorian Government website.
Where do I find more information?
For further information, please check the program guidelines or email lcmgp@ecodev.vic.gov.au.