VIC – Skills Solutions Partnerships Program Round 3

Grants up to $500K
Supports partnerships between industry and Victorian TAFEs or dual sector universities
Applications that address skills solutions to support the following 5 priority sectors:
- Advanced manufacturing and defence
- Agribusiness
- Circular economy
- Health technologies and medical research
- Digital technologies
EOI applications close March 27th, 2026

The Skills Solutions Partnerships (SSP) Program Round 3 is an initiative designed to address critical skills gaps in priority sectors by supporting partnerships between industry and Victorian TAFEs or dual sector universities. The program focuses on the rapid co-design and piloting of new, innovative training solutions that respond directly to industry demand.

The program prioritises training solutions that are new or innovative, scalable across sectors, and capable of benefiting multiple businesses and workers. Training may be accredited or non-accredited and delivered at Vocational Education and Training (VET) or Higher Education levels, including micro-credentials, skill sets, or modified existing courses incorporating on-the-job learning.

Applications are competitively assessed by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, with an emphasis on alignment to priority sectors, demonstrated industry demand, and the potential for long-term integration into Victoria’s training system

Key Requirements

Industry-led skills solutions Projects must address a clearly identified skills gap within a Victorian Government priority sector, supported by evidence of current and future industry demand.
Align with Priority Sectors: Advanced manufacturing and defence, agribusiness, circular economy, health technologies and medical research, digital technologies
Strong partnerships Applications must demonstrate collaboration between industry (businesses or industry associations) and at least one Victorian TAFE or dual sector university.
Co-design participation Successful EoI applicants must commit to active participation in the facilitated co-design process, including attending all required workshops.
Innovation and scalability Training solutions should be new or significantly improved and capable of being scaled to benefit multiple businesses and workers beyond the pilot phase.

What is eligible for funding?

Co-design of new training solutions addressing priority sector skills gaps
Development of accredited or non-accredited training programs
Delivery of pilot training projects
Establishment or modification of VET or Higher Education courses
Development of micro-credentials or skill sets
Incorporation of on-the-job or work-integrated learning models
Evaluation of pilot training outcomes

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants (lead applicant):

Businesses leading on behalf of a group of businesses located in Victoria
Business industry groups or professional associations supporting eligible sectors in Victoria
Victorian TAFEs or dual sector universities
Must have an ABN and GST registration from 1 January 2023
Must hold a Victorian Government Fair Jobs Code pre-assessment certificate (TAFEs exempt)
Must meet all industrial relations obligations

Additional considerations:
The partnership must include a Victorian TAFE or dual sector university, and partners must meet specified ABN, GST, and industrial relations requirements.

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 is open

Apply for this grant below:

OR