Overview
The Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program is a grant program that aims to support small and medium-sized manufacturers in Victoria, Australia. The program provides grants of between $50,000 to $250,000 to eligible businesses to introduce new technologies, expand operations, improve productivity, and enhance sovereign manufacturing.
Application Process
Applications are now open and will close on Thursday, 6 April.
Applicants are required to provide a project plan which includes the following:
- Project description
- Overview of the implementation timeline
- Evidence of sufficient internal resources to allocate to the project
- Preferred supplier(s) with quotations
- Any project risks and mitigation strategies
- Budget summary (detailing how grant funds and the applicant’s contribution will be spent on eligible project expenditure, as GST exclusive)
- Evidence of energy efficiencies to be gained as a result of the investment.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must:
- Be an eligible legal entity
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be an employing business registered for WorkCover insurance with WorkSafe Victoria
- Agree to meet any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure
- Be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain in Victoria
- Employ at least 20 full-time equivalent staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million (preference will be given to applicants that have less than 200 employees and turnover of less than $100 million)
- Attest that they agree to conduct the proposed activities in Victoria, have met all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards, will participate in future program evaluation activity, and will provide financial reports for the last three financial years to enable the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions to conduct a Financial Risk Assessment.
Grant Use
The grants can be used for the following purposes:
- Purchase new equipment
- Improve existing products and processes
- Test new products and processes
- Develop supply chain capability
Eligible Project Expenditure
Capital expenditure (e.g. manufacturing machinery, equipment, and technology)
Other project-related non-capitalised expenditure (e.g. related to product and process improvements, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, technology development, and supply chain capability development)
Minor building alterations and fit-out costs
Training specific to the technology (external costs only)
Labour and contractors related to the delivery of the project (but do not include internal salaries)
Criteria for Selection
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Need for Government Support (10%)
- Sustainable job creation and skills development (20%)
- Increased productivity and competitiveness (40%)
- Capacity and capability to successfully deliver the project (10%)
- Contribute to sector capability (10%)
- Environmental benefits (10%)
The Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program is a great opportunity for small and medium-sized manufacturers in Victoria to improve their productivity and competitiveness, create new jobs, and upskill and reskill their workers. The grants can be used for various purposes, and the application process is straightforward.
