Grants in VIC

The Victorian Government announced the $5 million Specialist Advice Pathways Program as part of the 2022-23 State Budget. The program supports established employing businesses who have remained in business despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) provides debt finance, equity finance, and guarantees to businesses with strong proposals in priority sectors. Established by the Australian Government, the NRFC aims to enhance the flow of finance into these areas to diversify and transform Australia's industry and economy.

The Small-Scale and Craft Program (Program) is a four-year program that builds on targeting businesses looking to scale-up operations, diversify product lines, expand exports and create new jobs. Stream One – Small-Scale and Craft Business Development: Grants funding for projects that support businesses to scale up/expand their operations and diversify their products.

The Victorian Government's $60 million Manufacturing and Industry Development Fund - Business Competitiveness Program is open to small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that require support to expand their manufacturing operations and continue on their growth trajectory.

The Digital Games Tax Offset (DGTO) offers a 30% refundable tax offset for qualifying Australian development expenditure (QADE) from 1 July 2022 for eligible game developers. The offset is available for the completion, ongoing development, or porting of digital games, subject to eligibility criteria, including certification by the Arts Minister and at least $500,000 of qualifying expenditure. The offset is capped at $20 million per company (or group of connected or affiliated companies) per income year. Applicants must have an an ABN and be either an Australian resident company or a foreign resident company with a permanent establishment in Australia.

The Enabling Tourism Fund – Competitive Round will accelerate high-potential tourism initiatives through the explorative and market-testing phase and facilitate projects towards investment-ready status.

The program supports investment in gender equity initiatives that aim for lasting systemic change and eliminating barriers for women’s participation in STEM education and careers, and entrepreneurship, building on the Australian Government’s Advancing Women in STEM strategy and the Women in STEM Decadal Plan, which was developed by the Australian Academy of Science and Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

The Manufacturing Translation Stream provides businesses with funding to support projects that translate high quality research into commercial outcomes and support businesses to scale-up and be more competitive and resilient. It provides co-funding to support businesses to adopt new technologies and improve their manufacturing processes to boost productivity and competitiveness.

The Breakthrough Victoria Fund - Catalyst for Change investment stream addresses the funding gap between a minimum viable product and meeting market need. It invests in commercial entities that have demonstrated some early market traction and have tested market need and alignment.