What is the Made in Victoria – Energy Technologies Manufacturing Program (ETMP)?

The Energy Technologies Manufacturing Program is an initiative to assist Victorian manufacturers to capitalise on opportunities to manufacture products or components that support the state’s transition to net zero emissions by 2045.

When are the opening/closing dates for applications?

This program is open for applications from 25 October 2023 and will close on the 13 December 2023 at 5 pm (AEDT).

How do I know if my business is eligible?

To check your business’s eligibility for this program, please refer to Section 2 of the program guidelines.

What types of projects will be considered eligible for this program?

Projects must involve the manufacturing of components or products where there is market demand in zero-emissions energy generation, transmission, storage and transportation.

These could include but are not limited to:

• advanced materials and components for renewables and zero emissions energy supply, such as wind, hydro, batteries, hydrogen and solar
• zero emissions transportation, such as vehicles with electric or renewable energy sources
• components for energy storage (such as batteries)

Investments in emissions reduction/efficiencies that do not involve manufacturing products or components for zero emissions or renewable energy supply chains (i.e., energy generation, transmission, storage, and transportation) are not eligible. This includes solar panel installations, heating and cooling upgrades, or end-of-life or business-as-usual equipment upgrades.

For example: An investment to enable manufacturing of components used in solar panels would be an eligible project but solar panel installation would be ineligible.

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 the confirmation email cannot be seen in your inbox.

Do I need to apply for a Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate?

Applicants requesting grants of $500,000 or more will be required to hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate (PAC), a requirement of the Government’s Fair Jobs Code. Information on the obligations of PAC holders as recipients of government grants can be found on the Buying for Victoria website.

If relevant, applicants will be assessed for a PAC during the assessment process, and subject to the assessment may be requested to provide additional information.

If an applicant is unable to be awarded a PAC under the published PAC criteria, they will be ineligible for a grant of $500,000 or more.

Can I submit a late application?

No. Late applications will not be accepted.

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.

What financial commitment is required from businesses?

All grants must be matched by a minimum cash co-contribution of $3 for every $1 granted. The minimum grant of $100,000 will require a cash co-contribution of $300,000. The maximum grant of $750,000 will require a cash co-contribution $2,250,000.

Are in-kind contributions allowable as co-contribution?

No. In-kind contributions are excluded (i.e., non-monetary resources). This includes salary and wages of staff already employed by your business.

Can other government funds form part of the co-contribution?

No. Funds from other Victorian or Australian 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 $400,000 (excluding GST), the maximum grant contribution will be $100,000 (excluding GST). The remaining $300,000 (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.

Can I include funds I have already spent on research and development for the project?

No. The only funds that can be included as a co-contribution is money spent on eligible expenses after the date defined as the project commencement date in the Grant Agreement.

Does the project need to be located in Victoria?

Yes. The project must be located in Victoria.

If I received grant funding under the Low Carbon Manufacturing Grant Program, am I eligible to apply?

Yes.

If I was unsuccessful for grant funding under the Low Carbon Manufacturing Grant Program, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. If your application was unsuccessful under the Low Carbon Manufacturing Grant Program – Business Growth Stream, you may submit an application for the same project but note that the assessment criteria have changed for this program. There is no guarantee that you will be successful in this program.

If I use the grant funding to purchase plant and equipment, does it have to be located at my business site?

Yes. All plant and equipment must be recognised as capital assets on your balance sheet and be located at your business site

When do I have to create the new jobs?

All new jobs must be created no later than 30 April 2025. These are Full Time Equivalent (FTE) full-time and part-time jobs upon which Victorian payroll tax is payable by your business and not a headcount. It will not include casual or contract workers.

What happens if my project changes in scope or budget after I submit my application?

If you reduce your budget, scope or outcomes of the project after you submit an application or you receive a letter of offer you must contact the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (the Department) immediately. The Department reserves the right to withdraw an offer of funding if your project budget, scope or outcomes change or are different to what was in the application, assessed and approved for funding.

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.

It is recommended that applicants provide evidence to back up any claims.

When can I expect to hear the outcome of my application?

It is anticipated that you will be advised of the outcome of your application by April 2024.

Do businesses have a right of appeal?

The Department’s decision is final and there is no right of appeal. Feedback will be provided if requested by unsuccessful applicants.

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. Here is an example of a grant agreement with standard terms. The final agreement with successful applicants will have some variations relating to the program.

DJSIR Grants Agreement Long Form Template (DOCX 180.09 KB)

How quickly do businesses have to start their projects?

Projects will be expected to commence within 30 days of execution of the grant agreement.

When do projects need to be completed?

Successful applicants will need to complete the project activities by 30 April 2025.

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 do I calculate expenditure incurred when claiming a grant payment?

Each Milestone payment will require you to provide evidence of a specified amount of expenditure having been incurred. This relates to monies paid out rather than a legal liability incurred.

In the example below if a purchase order was placed to purchase a $500,000 CNC machine during December and a $50,000 deposit paid, only the $50,000 could be claimed as part of the required $150,000 of project expenditure in January.

The balance of the purchase price should be claimed after it has been paid. (Milestone 2)

How will my personal information be treated?

For the Department’s practices and policies related to the collection, use and storage of applicants’ information, please read the DJSIR 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. Grant recipients must 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 read the program guidelines or email manufacturing.grants@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Complaints or feedback

For a specific complaint or feedback in relation to a decision, action or service provided by the department, please use the Business Victoria complaints form.