Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program

The program will assist SMEs with an existing presence in Victoria to:

• expand their capacity and capability by implementing new manufacturing technologies as outlined in the Made in Victoria 2030 – Manufacturing Statement
• improve productivity and competitiveness in local and global supply chains
• create new jobs, upskill and reskill workers
• support Victoria’s transition towards net zero emissions.

The outcomes of the program will be:

• strengthened Victorian manufacturing sector through the adoption and integration of advanced technologies in manufacturing and the creation of high value jobs;
• the development of sovereign manufacturing capability and more resilient supply chains in Victoria;
• greater capability for businesses to capture emerging opportunities in global supply chains; and
• to support projects which support Victoria’s transition toward net zero emissions.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be an eligible legal entity
• hold an ABN
• be an employing business registered for WorkCover insurance with WorkSafe Victoria
• agree to meet any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure
• be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain in Victoria
• employ at least 20 FTE (full-time equivalent) staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million (preference will be given to applicants that have less than 200 employees and turnover of less than $100 million) and attest that they:
  1. agree to conduct the proposed activities in Victoria
  2. have met all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards
  3. will participate in future program evaluation activity
  4. will provide financial reports for the last three financial years to enable the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), the department, to conduct a Financial Risk Assessment (FRA)
  5. will comply with the requirements of the Fair Jobs Code if applicable.

An Incorporated Trustee can apply on behalf of a Trust provided that the Trustee:

• will remain sufficiently liable for the performance of any agreement it signs
• has a right to be indemnified from the assets of the Trust
• is indemnified from the assets of the Trust
• comply with the criteria as set out above

Individual Partners may apply on behalf of a Partnership provided that the Partners:

• will remain sufficiently liable for the performance of any agreement they sign
• comply with the criteria as set out above

The following are not eligible to apply:

• individuals
• Commonwealth, state and local government agencies or bodies
• publicly funded research institutions
• industry associations or business chambers;
• not-for-profit organisations
• community-based organisations

Joint applications are not permitted.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible applicants.

Projects must clearly demonstrate how the funding will support:

• the creation of new jobs
• increased productivity through investment in new technologies and processes

and with the following highly desirable:

• transition to employment security or higher value jobs, and/or
• skills development and uplift

Each application can only contain a single project proposal.

This grant will support the purchase and commissioning of capital equipment (recorded as fixed assets in the applicant’s accounts) and associated project expenditure related to manufacturing product and process improvements, prototyping, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and supply chain capability development.

Ineligible projects are those that cannot demonstrate an increase in the productivity through investment in new technologies and processes.

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible projects.

Eligible project expenditure includes:

• capital expenditure (e.g., manufacturing machinery, equipment, and technology)
• other project-related non-capitalised expenditure (e.g., related to product and process improvements, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, technology development and supply chain capability development)
• minor building alterations and fit-out costs
• training specific to the technology (external costs only)
• labour and contractors related to the delivery of the project (but do not include internal salaries)

Eligible project expenditure must:

• be incurred by the grant recipient within 12 months of execution of the Grant Agreement
• be a direct cost of the project
• be exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The program is not intended to support:

• routine replacement or a minor upgrade of plant and equipment
• purchase of vehicles
• routine operational expenses, including, communications, accommodation, office computing facilities or software, printing and stationery, postage, legal and accounting fees, and bank charges;
• costs related to preparing the grant application, preparing any project reports, and preparing any project variation requests
• projects where the primary purpose relates to offshore or interstate manufacturing
• building websites, marketing, sales, and promotional activities
• early-stage Research and Development (R&D) activities
• expenditure that is incurred prior to the project commencing
• internal salaries
• entertainment cost
• land acquisition
• expenditure where other grants or subsidies are available

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.

1. Need for Government support (10%)

• impact of funding on outcomes
• alternative funding sources pursued

2. Sustainable job creation and skills development (20%)

• job creation benefits
• skills development and uplift for existing staff

3. Increased productivity and competitiveness (40%)

• project adapts and integrates new capacity/technologies
• project increases productivity and competitiveness

4. Capacity and capability to successfully deliver the project (10%)

• track record in delivering similar projects
• resources, skills and IP allocated to the project
• project implementation plan to meet deliverables and milestones

5. Contribute to sector capability (10%)

• contribution to creating reliable and resilient supply chains
• development of products for new or emerging markets

6. Environmental benefits (10%)

• supporting the transition to net zero emissions, including but not limited to:
  1. reducing energy use and carbon emissions and increasing efficiency; and
  2. reducing waste generation, facilitating reuse and materials recovery.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• an innovative project that utilises new technology to increase business productivity and competitiveness
• job creation and skills development outcomes
• the project’s impact on strengthening supply chains and developing new products for new and emerging markets
• the impact of grant funding for the project to proceed and realise its full benefits and outcomes
• the project’s contribution to net zero emissions via reduced energy use and waste and increased efficiency
• the necessary capacity, capability and resources, including co-contributions, to deliver the project in full within the agreed timeframe

Applicants are required to provide:

• Project Plan (template provided)
  1. project description
  2. overview of the implementation timeline
  3. evidence of sufficient internal resources to allocate to the project
  4. preferred supplier(s) with quotations
  5. any project risks and mitigation strategies
  6. budget summary (detailing how grant funds and the applicant’s contribution will be spent on eligible project expenditure, as GST exclusive)
  7. evidence of energy efficiencies to be gained as a result of the investment

• Evidence of co-contribution
  1. written confirmation from the Board or business owner that the business can undertake the project and meet the required co-contribution amount, or
  2. an approved loan facility (including loan amount), or
  3. sufficient cash in a bank (current bank statement), or
  4. management accounts demonstrating satisfactory cash flow or liquid assets

• Evidence of Financial Records
  1. audited financial reports for the past three financial years (including Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and notes to the accounts)
  2. where the Audited or Accountant prepared financials for the most recent reporting period is more than six months , the following are required:
     • Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet
     • In case of public listed corporations, half yearly financial report
  3. Parent Company Financial Statements (if applicable)
  4. Ownership Structure (Corporate Tree)
  5. Current Business Plan or Project Proposal
  6. For project-based applications, the company’s financial projections for the next three financial years, including:
     1. Profit and Loss
     2. Cash Flow

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted online via the Business Victoria programs webpage.

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