Sustainability Victoria has announced the opening of the Business Support Fund Round 3 with up to $1m of funding per project.  Funding will support the development and implementation of circular economy business models and practices that avoid waste generation in Victoria.

Deadline and Timings

Deadline for applications is on 12 April 2023. Register for the information session to be conducted on 15 March 2023.

Outcomes notification are expected by August 2023 and projects must be completed by 15 December 2024.

Overview and Grant Amount

Round 3 of the Business Support Fund supports circular business models and practices that avoid waste in Victoria. Applicants must contribute at least $1 for every $2 funded by Sustainability Victoria (1:2 co-contribution).

• co-contributions can be either financial (cash) or In-kind
• at least 80% of the co-contribution must be cash contribution
• other grants cannot be used for co-contribution
• co-contributions must be for eligible activities

All projects must meet all regulatory or planning requirements within 6 months of receiving funding, and must ensure that at least 50% of project activities are implemented in Victoria.

Eligibility and Criteria

Applicants may apply as either as a single organisation, or as a collaborative project with multiple organisations. All applications require a single lead applicant (companies, trusts, co-operatives, indigenous corporations, joint ventures, social enterprises, industry groups and associations), who will be the responsible contracting party.

The lead applicant must also:

• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• have been operating for a minimum of 2 years by the application closing date (to be validated by the date that the organisation’s ABN is active from)
• meet or exceed the minimum co-contribution requirements
• lead any collaborative partnership according to requirements
• agree to comply with the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs
• agree to comply with the funding terms and conditions as per the General grant funding agreement

Projects focused on recycling, recycled content products and bioenergy are NOT ELIGIBLE for this fund. Projects eligible for funding include those that:

• avoid waste of products and materials
• extend the useful life of products
• increase shared use, access or ownership of products
• replace products with services
• produce products and services using less materials
• upcycle pre-consumer food or textile waste

Eligible Activities

Project activities can include (but not limited to):

• activation of waste-avoidance solutions in published industry/business-focused action plans and roadmaps
• baseline studies to understand issues and opportunities for circularity (e.g., in businesses or industries)
• waste audits and circular economy supply chain mapping
• challenge-based projects (e.g., hackathons)
• developing, delivering or accessing circular economy assessment tools or services (e.g., life cycle assessment)
• developing, delivering or accessing circular economy advisory services
• delivering a campaign focused on increasing transparency and awareness of circular economy in businesses
• facilitate networking and collaboration focused on circular economy business opportunities
• establishing or expanding activities in a circular economy business focused group or cluster
• delivering circular economy training to businesses
• rolling out business-led product stewardship initiatives/programs in Victoria (not recycling)
• financial and non-financial assessments (e.g., CBA, ROI, SROI)
• large scale pilots, trials, and demonstrations
• business case development and cost-benefit analysis
• purchasing, installing and commissioning infrastructure, plant and equipment or other assets
• designing and delivering promotional content for new products and services
• developing and delivering capability building for Businesses (e.g., training, education, innovation services)
• startup incubators and accelerator programs
• developing and launching a website, application, or digital platform

Project costs must be directly related to the project and can only include:

• new or existing staff costs (such as salaries) that are demonstrated to be directly related to the project
• consultants
• contractor services
• marketing, advertising, promotion
• market research and surveys
• venue and equipment hire (including access to innovation labs and services)
• legal costs (such as costs to obtain IP)
• printing
• design and copywriting
• installation and commissioning
• freight
• project management costs
• capital purchases/assets (infrastructure, plant, and equipment)
• purchase of specialised vehicles (e.g., front-end loaders, forklifts) where equipment is integral for the project to occur, and the applicant demonstrates they are unable to proceed with the project without funding for the vehicle

Expert Assistance

We have over 14 years of experience preparing EMDG claims and can assist in making sure you receive your maximum rebate.

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.

For information about other Australian Government Grants, visit Treadstone New Grants page and sign up to our newsletter!