The Victoria Small-Scale and Craft Program is a four-year program that provides grant of up to $15k to businesses looking to scale-up operations, diversify product lines, expand exports, create new jobs and strengthen tourism. Stream One: Round Three focuses on supporting businesses to upscale their business, expand into new markets and develop individual tourism offerings

Deadlines

Applications for Stream One: Round Three are now open and will close on 31 July 2022 at 11.59 pm

Grant Amounts

Grants up to $15,000 are available to eligible small-scale and craft agribusinesses for projects that:

• support Victoria’s small-scale and craft agribusinesses to expand into new markets to support business resilience, scale-up operations, adopt new technology and increase access for tourism by developing individual tourism offerings
• ensure Victoria continues to be a leader in artisanal produce, with a renewed focus on excellence, resilience, sustainability, local job creation and economic development

The program targets businesses looking to:

• scale-up operations
• diversify product lines
• expand outreach

Eligible Applicants

To apply, applicants must:

• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered as a business in Victoria
• operate a business in Victoria
• be a legal entity
• show benefit to multiple small-scale and craft agribusinesses operating within the small-scale and craft sector

Ineligible Applicants

• Businesses that have previously received a Stream One or Stream One: Round Two grant under the program
• Individuals and businesses operating in the wine or distilling sector
• Government departments or agencies
• Unincorporated associations, franchisees and subsidiaries of larger companies
• Local councils
• Applicants that have applied for another state government grant for the same project
• Applicants not based in Victoria

Eligible Expenditure

Stream One: Round Three funding may be used for:

• New equipment or small-scale infrastructure (including signage)
• Technology adoption (excluding training and ongoing maintenance and service support costs)
• Expansion of the agribusiness into new markets, including market development strategies and export support
• Product diversification
• Development and updating of farmgate outlets or sites for tourism (all permits must be submitted as evidence prior to grant agreement)

Other eligible expenditure will be accepted on a per case basis. Projects must be completed within five months of the executed Grant Agreement.

Ineligible Expenditure

• Grants will not be provided for retrospective activities or purchases(i.e. activities that have occurred or purchases made prior to execution of the Grant Agreement or the commencement date for the project as set out in the Grant Agreement)
• Ongoing operating expenses or other ‘business as usual’ expenses (including but not limited to utility costs and product costs; maintenance and service support costs; advertising and social media; operational wage-related costs; online costs – such as internet connectivity, website domain names and hosting; e-commerce platforms)
• Fees associated with permits for planning or annual certification
• Training costs associated with technology adoption
• Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
• The purchase, lease or acquisition of land
• Events and associated promotion costs
• Any vehicles (including tractors, forklifts, motorised bikes, etc.) or vehicle associated costs
• Items without a quote or rationale as to why no quote/s can be provided

Interested parties are encouraged to read through all the criteria set by the guidelines of this grant. Application must be done through the program portal.

Expert Assistance

Treadstone experts can help you understand government grants and maximise the benefits for your business. We have been helping clients since 2008 and our clients can testify to our proven success record. Working with us means you get the maximum grant with minimum risk and effort. Our expertise includes R&D Tax Incentive registration and tax schedules, Export Grants, Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure Grants.

Get in touch with us and let’s discuss this more in detail.

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