Up to $200,000 in grants and rebates to support Victoria’s distillery industry through skills development, boosting the visitor economy, infrastructure and safety, and export capability.
On this page you will find
What is the Distillery Door Program (DDP)?
The Distillery Door Program is a $20 million initiative designed to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry through targeted grants and rebates. This program aims to boost the industry’s competitiveness globally, enhance safety standards, and provide essential skills training to the workforce.
The Program is supported by the Distillery Door Working Group, whose membership includes key stakeholders Spirits Victoria Association and the Australian Distillers Association, and further industry and government representation.
Delivery of the Program is under 4 streams:
- Skills Development: Enhances workforce skills through educational pathways and industry development support.
- Boosting the Visitor Economy: Provides funding to attract visitors and promote Victoria as a top destination for spirit enthusiasts.
- Infrastructure and Safety: Improves distillery safety and operational efficiency with targeted investments in infrastructure.
- Export Capability: Supports distilleries in expanding into international markets with training and export readiness resources.
Here is the available funding:
- Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants: Provides grants for distilleries to enhance infrastructure, sustainability, and market reach.
- Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate: Offers rebates for safety upgrades and compliance in handling hazardous materials, with significant cost-sharing contributions.
- Upskilling our Distillers: Allocates funds to improve the skills and expertise of distillery staff through targeted training programs.
Distillery Door Program grants level of support
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
Eligible distilleries can access up to $200,000 (GST exclusive). Required co-contributions are:
- 30% cash co-contribution for distilleries producing no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol in the 2023-24 financial year.
- 50% cash co-contribution for distilleries producing more than 10,000 litres.
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
Offers a rebate of up to 70% or 80% of total eligible expenditure or a maximum of $50,000, whichever is less. Co-contributions are required as follows:
- 20% cash if producing no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol in the 2022-23 financial year.
- 30% cash if producing more than 10,000 litres.
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- Up to $2,000 per distillery is available to fund training programs to enhance skills relevant to the distillery industry.
Distillery Door Program important dates
- Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants Closing Date: Closed
- Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate Closing Date: 30 June 2025, or until funds are fully subscribed (whichever occurs first)
- Upskilling our Distillers: Closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Distillery Door Program objectives
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
- Enhance Infrastructure: Support the development of on-site infrastructure to increase business capacity and efficiency.
- Boost Global Competitiveness: Position Victoria as a leading producer of distilled alcoholic beverages on a global scale.
- Support Marketing and Export Initiatives: Aid in expanding market reach through improved marketing strategies and export capabilities.
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
- Improve Safety Standards: Enhance safety in distilleries by supporting the adoption of new safety technologies and practices.
- Mitigate Risks: Reduce the risk of accidents associated with the handling and storage of dangerous goods.
- Compliance with Standards: Ensure distilleries meet or exceed regulatory safety standards.
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- Skill Enhancement: Provide funding for training programs to improve the skills and knowledge of distillery personnel.
- Adapt to Industry Needs: Offer flexible training solutions tailored to the needs of distilleries of all sizes.
- Promote Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing professional development in the distillery industry.
Projects and costs eligible for Distillery Door Program support
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
Grant funding may be used for the following types of projects:
- Plant and equipment to facilitate growth and competitiveness of businesses to meet demand and improve cost
- Technology adoption (excluding on-going maintenance and service support costs) to increase business efficiency
- Items that support product diversification and new product development
- Items that build on the Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Audit (HADGA) or general safety improvements at the distillery not eligible under the HADGA
- Items that enhance sustainability including electrification, greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy saving, waste reduction, water reduction
- Activities that increase export capability
- Marketing activities that increase consumer awareness of your product
Other eligible expenditure may be considered on a per case basis.
Ineligible activities
- Grants will not be provided for retrospective activities or purchases (i.e. activities that have occurred or purchases made prior to execution of the Grant Agreement or the commencement date for the project as set out in the Grant Agreement)
- Ongoing operating expenses or other ‘business as usual’ expenses (including but not limited to utility and product costs; maintenance and service support costs; advertising and social media; operational wage-related costs; online costs – such as internet connectivity, website domain names and hosting; e-commerce platforms)
- Single use items (e.g. bottles, labels, produce etc.)
- Fees associated with permits for planning or annual certification
- Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
- The purchase, lease or acquisition of land
- Travel, flight and accommodation costs
- Any vehicles (including tractors, forklifts, mortised bikes etc.) or vehicle associated costs
- Items without a quote or rationale as to why no quote can be provided
Any ineligible expenditure associated with the overall project must be met by the recipient.
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
This program may provide a rebate up to the value of $50,000 (GST exclusive) of eligible costs associated with one or more of these activities:
- costs associated with having a Hazardous Area Assessment or Dangerous Goods Audit undertaken
- purchase and installation of equipment and infrastructure as recommended in either a hazardous area assessment, dangerous goods audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a WorkSafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector undertaken from 1 April 2023 until the closing date
- training specific to the technology for safe operation of equipment recommended (external costs only)
All funded activities must comply with Australian Standards (including installation) where required by regulation. Installations must comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and use licensed tradesmen when required by legislation, council regulation or the manufacturer’s instructions. This is the responsibility of the recipient; the department is not liable in any way in relation to or in connection with the project, other than as expressed in these guidelines.
As this is a rebate program, all costs must be incurred before applying. If you have any concerns about item eligibility, please contact the Distillery Door Program team at distilleryprogram@agriculture.vic.gov.au PRIOR TO making your purchase.
There is no guarantee that any application for a rebate will be supported.
Ineligible activities
- New or replacement stills
- Items not recommended in either a hazardous area assessment, dangerous goods audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a Worksafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector
- General items related to brewing, winemaking, distilled spirits and other beverage production that do not relate to hazardous areas and dangerous goods improvements (e.g. valves, tanks, packaging equipment, boilers, chillers and cooling towers, compressors)
- Motorised transport vehicles (eg. forklifts, trucks, utes, etc) or vehicle associated costs
- Routine maintenance costs
- Internal costs, salaries or resources of the Recipient
- Fees associated with permits for planning or annual certification
- Costs associated with applying for government grants and funding programs
- Basic professional services such as ongoing, routine accounting, tax and legal business requirements, licensing, legal/intellectual property costs, financing fees
- Travel costs
- Any administrative fees or surcharges for administering the expenditures listed above; or
- Any other expenditure as determined by the Department that does not meet the Program guidelines or objectives
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- The funds are intended for broad and flexible training needs to support the diverse scale of operations in the industry, from large to micro businesses.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible projects and costs.
Other Distillery Door Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Distillery Door Program support
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
- Registered Business: Must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered as a business in Victoria.
- Legal Entity: Must be a legal entity such as an association, corporation, or trustee of a trust.
- Operational Distillery: Must own at least one operational still with a capacity of 50 litres or more.
- Licensing: Must hold a valid ATO Manufacturer’s Licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages and a General, Producer’s, or Remote Seller’s Liquor Licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria.
- Co-Contribution: Must be able to meet the cash co-contribution requirement (minimum 30% or 50% depending on alcohol production volume).
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
- Business Registration: Must have a current ABN and be registered as a business in Victoria.
- Ownership of Distillery Equipment: Must own equipment and infrastructure applicable to the distillery operations.
- Safety Assessments: Must have undergone a Hazardous Area Assessment or Dangerous Goods Audit, or an OHS Essentials Program assessment relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods from 1 April 2023 until the closing date.
- Financial Contribution: Must be able to cover a minimum of 20% or 30% cash co-contribution of the total eligible project expenditure.
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- Victorian Distilleries: Available exclusively to distilleries operating within Victoria.
- Current Operational Status: Must be actively engaged in the distillation of alcoholic beverages.
- Commitment to Training: Must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the skills of their workforce through training programs.
General Ineligibility
- Non-distilling Entities: Entities that do not distill their own alcoholic beverages.
- Government Bodies: State government departments, agencies, or local councils.
- Unincorporated Associations and Franchises: These entities are typically not eligible unless specified otherwise.
- Duplicate Funding: Applicants that have applied for another state government grant for the same project.
Distillery Door Program assessment criteria
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
- Alignment with Objectives: Projects must align with the grant’s objectives to enhance infrastructure, boost global competitiveness, or support marketing and export initiatives.
- Capacity for Implementation: Applicants must demonstrate the capability to manage and deliver the project, including handling logistics and obtaining necessary permits.
- Financial Viability: The project should offer good value for money, with a clear budget and a strong financial plan.
- Impact Measurement: The potential impact on the business’s growth and competitiveness must be clearly articulated.
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
- Safety Enhancement Impact: Projects must directly contribute to enhancing safety standards within the distillery.
- Compliance with Regulations: Projects must comply with all relevant safety regulations and standards.
- Technical Feasibility: Applicants must demonstrate that the project is technically feasible with the available technology and resources.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The expected benefits in terms of safety improvements should justify the costs involved.
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- Relevance of Training: Training programs must be relevant to the needs of the distillery and its staff, aimed at improving specific skills related to distilling operations.
- Implementation Plan: The applicant must provide a detailed plan for how the training will be implemented, including timelines and training providers.
- Outcome Measurement: There should be clear criteria for measuring the effectiveness of the training in terms of skill enhancement and productivity improvement.
- Long-term Benefits: The training should have the potential to deliver long-term benefits to the workforce and the distillery’s overall operations.
How do I get Distillery Door Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Distillery Door Program application
1. Business Growth Fit-for-Purpose Grants
- Business Documentation: Proof of ABN registration and business registration in Victoria.
- Licensing Documents: Copies of the ATO Manufacturer’s Licence and the relevant Liquor Licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria.
- Project Proposal: A detailed description of the project, including objectives, expected outcomes, and alignment with grant objectives.
- Financial Statements: Recent financial statements to demonstrate financial health and the ability to meet co-contribution requirements.
- Project Budget: Detailed budget outlining all costs associated with the project and the source of funding for each item.
2. Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate
Copies of:
- your current ATO Manufacturer’s Licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages
- your current Victorian General or Producer’s Liquor Licence
- one of the following – hazardous area assessment, dangerous goods audit, OHS Essentials Program relating to hazardous areas and dangerous goods, or assessment by a WorkSafe Victoria dangerous goods inspector – undertaken from 1 April 2023 until the closing date
- invoices and receipts for eligible expenditure as recommended in the above assessment – undertaken from 1 April until closing date.
You must also complete a statutory declaration attesting to the total costs.
3. Upskilling our Distillers
- Training Program Details: Comprehensive information about the training programs, including provider details, course content, and how the training addresses specific needs within the distillery.
- Participant List: Details of who will participate in the training, their current roles, and how the training is expected to benefit their performance.
- Cost Overview: A breakdown of training costs, including fees per participant and any materials or additional resources required.
- Implementation Schedule: A timeline for when the training will take place and expected milestones or completion dates.
- Evaluation Plan: How the effectiveness of the training will be assessed, including pre- and post-training performance metrics.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for Distillery Door Program
Applications are submitted online via the DEECA portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Distillery Door Program resources
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