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Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program Round 2

Applications are open until: 19 December 2023
Grants: ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 are accessible. Each grant requires a minimum cash co-contribution of $2 for every $1 granted.

The Made in Victoria - Manufacturing Growth Program Round 2 is designed to promote business investment in sectors where Victoria holds a substantial competitive edge, with a focus on generating employment opportunities and ensuring the long-term sustainability and prosperity of these industries.

The program's primary aim is to help small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs) in Victoria who are in a phase of growth and require support to extend their manufacturing operations, with the subsequent objectives:
- enhancing their capacity and capabilities through the adoption of new manufacturing technologies, as outlined in the Made in Victoria 2030 Manufacturing Statement;
- enhancing productivity and competitiveness within local and global supply chains;
- facilitating the creation of new employment opportunities and the development of worker skills;
- contributing to Victoria's transition towards net-zero emissions.

Key Requirements

The program offers grants on a 1:2 basis, involving a partnership between the government and successful applicants. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, excluding GST, are accessible through a competitive selection process.

Applicants must provide quotations and estimates to support their applications. Funding will not be allocated for retroactive activities, meaning those in which project expenses are incurred before the execution of a Grant Agreement and the project commencement.

All grants require a cash co-contribution from the applicant, with in-kind contributions, meaning non-monetary resources, being ineligible. Funds sourced from other Victorian or Commonwealth Government programs cannot be counted as part of the co-contribution but may contribute to the overall project value. The entirety of project expenditure, inclusive of grant funding and co-contribution, must be allocated to eligible project activities.

Eligible grants will facilitate the acquisition and commissioning of capital equipment, which will be recorded as fixed assets in the applicant’s financial records. It will also cover associated project expenses related to the improvement of manufacturing products and processes, prototyping, the evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and the development of supply chain capabilities.

Projects are expected to commence within 30 days of executing the grant agreement, with evidence required to demonstrate that the applicant has committed at least 10% of eligible project expenditure by this date.

Successful applicants are required to complete project activities within 12 months from the date of the grant agreement, and this commitment is legally binding as stipulated in the grant agreement.

What is eligible for funding?

Projects should clearly demonstrate how the funding will contribute to:

generating new employment opportunities;
enhancing productivity through investments in new technologies and processes.

Furthermore, it is highly desirable for the projects to lead to:

the transition to more secure employment or higher-value job positions;
the development and improvement of skills.

Each application may contain only a single project proposal.

Eligible Projects

This grant is intended to support the acquisition and commissioning of capital equipment, which will be recorded as fixed assets in the applicant’s financial records. It also covers associated project expenses linked to the enhancement of manufacturing products and processes, prototyping, the evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and the development of supply chain capabilities.

Eligible project expenditure includes:

capital expenditure, including manufacturing machinery, equipment, and technology;
other non-capitalised expenses directly tied to the project, such as those related to product and process enhancements, the evaluation and testing of new products and processes, technology development, and supply chain capability improvement;
minor building alterations and fit-out expenses;
training specifically related to the technology, with external costs only;
costs associated with labour and contractors engaged in the project’s execution (excluding internal salaries).

Eligible project expenditure must:

be incurred by the grant recipient within 12 months of the execution of the Grant Agreement;
represent a direct cost of the project;
exclude Goods and Services Tax (GST).

What companies are eligible for funding?

The Round 2 program is available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) experiencing growth and seeking assistance to expand their manufacturing operations.

To be eligible for support under the program, companies must meet the following criteria:

be a valid legal entity;
hold an Australian Business Number (ABN);
be an employing business registered for WorkCover insurance with WorkSafe Victoria;
commit to fulfilling any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure;
currently engage in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or exhibit a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain in Victoria;
employ a minimum of 20 FTE (full-time equivalent) staff or generate an annual turnover exceeding $1.5 million (preference given to applicants with fewer than 200 employees and a turnover below $100 million). Applicants must also:
- agree to conduct the proposed activities within Victoria;
- confirm compliance with all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards;
- commit to participating in future program evaluation activities;
- provide financial reports to enable the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions (the department) to conduct a Financial Risk Assessment (FRA);
- adhere to the requirements of the Fair Jobs Code if applicable.

Trust Structures – An Incorporated Trustee may apply on behalf of a Trust provided that the Trustee:

remains sufficiently liable for the performance of any agreement they enter into;
holds the right to be indemnified from the assets of the Trust;
is indemnified from the assets of the Trust;
complies with the criteria outlined for Companies.

Partnerships – Individual Partners can apply on behalf of a Partnership, provided that the Partners:

remain sufficiently liable for the performance of any agreement they sign;
comply with the criteria set out for Companies.

Joint applications are not allowed under this program.

Companies employing fewer than 20 FTE may be considered for funding if they anticipate reaching at least 20 FTE by the conclusion of the proposed project.

Companies with over 200 employees and a turnover exceeding $100 million must demonstrate that the project cannot be realised without government funding.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant has expired

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