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VIC Enabling Tourism Fund 2024

VIC Enabling Tourism Fund 2024

  • Applications are open until 28 March 2024.
  • The fund will deliver two grant streams, with each stream ranging from $20,000 to $500,000 (excluding GST).

The Enabling Tourism Fund (ETF) 2024 supports regional and rural Victorian tourism projects in achieving investment readiness through funding planning activities, such as feasibility studies and design for future investments. This initiative aims to encourage the development of a strong pipeline of demand-driving tourism infrastructure projects across Victoria, aligning with the Victorian Government's commitment to enhancing the visitor experience in Regional Victoria.

Key Requirements

Grant applications for the ETF 2024 are accepted for:

  • Projects in locations covered by existing Regional Tourism Boards and Visitor Economy Partnerships, as listed on Industry partners | Tourism and Events.
  • Specific interim entities recognised by DJSIR – Tourism and Events as part of the regional tourism network.
  • Projects situated in regional and rural Victoria.
  • Projects contributing to tourism benefits within Victoria.

Funding ratios and co-contribution requirements are defined as follows:

  • Other State Government funding, including support from Regional Development Victoria, cannot be utilised as part of the local contribution.
  • Projects that have secured or will receive funding from the Victorian Government through channels other than this Fund are eligible to apply, but such funding will be factored into the assessment criteria.
  • Local contributions may consist of funding from various entities, including local government authorities, schools, educational institutions, the Australian Government, and community organisations.
  • The following funding ratios and co-contributions apply:
    • Private, public and not-for-profit applicants: funding ratios
      • Victorian Government = $4
      • Local = $1
    • Traditional Owner Corporations, organisations and groups, and Aboriginal-owned businesses: co-contributions not required

To optimise the impact of the ETF, it is crucial to prioritise proposals that demonstrate a commitment to outcomes such as strengthening the pipeline of experience products and accommodation in Regional Victoria. Emphasising the accessibility and attractiveness of regional accommodations will contribute to the fund’s objective of creating a more compelling visitor offering.

Ensuring that activities funded through ETF align with the goals outlined in Experience Victoria 2033, particularly by focusing on driving economic growth, promoting innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and acknowledging the First Peoples’ priorities for tourism development, will enhance the fund’s overall effectiveness in delivering positive outcomes for local communities and the state.

What is eligible for funding?

Each applicant is limited to submitting a single application, which can be for either Stream 1 or Stream 2.

Funding streams and eligible projects are categorised as follows:

Stream 1 – Testing the Concept

  • For projects aiming to test the concept of a new infrastructure project
  • Examples include feasibility studies, master plans, business cases, market testing, and site analysis
  • Activities include business case development, feasibility studies, master planning (including concept design), market testing, and assessments.

Stream 2 – Preparing for Investment

  • Geared towards ensuring a project is investment-ready
  • Involves the preparation of materials such as a detailed design package, funding strategy, stakeholder and community engagement plans
  • Specific components include detailed design packages, Quantity Surveying Reports, technical investigations, plans, and reports (e.g., universal design, environmental and sustainability plans, Cultural Heritage Management Plans, traffic management), stakeholder and community engagement plans and implementation, operational viability studies, investment prospectus development, and developing a funding strategy.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Applicants eligible to apply include:

  • Private sector proponents: privately-owned or commercial organisations with overall control and responsibility for a project predominantly funded through private capital
  • Local and State Government entities in Victoria, including Public Land Managers, Land Management Authorities and Committees of Management, Local Government Authorities, and Victorian Alpine Resorts
  • State or Local Government-owned entities
  • Incorporated associations and not-for-profit organisations, including community groups, cooperatives, or associations
  • Traditional Owner Corporations, organisations, groups, and Aboriginal-owned businesses.

To qualify for funding, applicants must:

  • Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • Be financially solvent.

For entities not incorporated, consideration may be given to auspicing arrangements, while still meeting all other eligibility criteria.

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.