Grants in VIC

The VPF program assists digital game companies and key creatives in Victoria in creating and publishing a variety of engaging high-quality digital games. It offers funding for the pre-production, production, and post-production phases of game development for PC, consoles, mobile, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or extended reality (XR).

To skill the next generation of Victoria’s farmers, the Government is investing $50 million into a four-year Agricultural College Modernisation Program.

Screen Australia will provide grants of up to $150,000 per successful application for production of a digital game with a budget up to $500,000. The initiative will run for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years. Higher budget games are likely to be able to receive Australian Government support through the announced Digital Games Tax Offset.

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.