Timber Supply Chain Resilience Package

The business must:

• be a legally structured business with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 1 July 2021
• be an employing business located in Victoria that is registered with WorkSafe Victoria
• be a business in the manufacturing industry classified under one of the following Australia and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classifications (ANZSIC) codes as of 23 May 2023, unless otherwise agreed by the Department:

1. 1. 1413 Timber Resawing and Dressing
   2. 1492 Wooden Structural Fitting and Component Manufacturing
   3. 1499 Other Wood Product Manufacturing n.e.c.
   4. 2511 Wooden Furniture and Upholstered Seat Manufacturing

Impacted Manufacturers Stream:

• derive between 5.00% and 40.00%* of the business’s material inputs (measured by cost) for manufacturing processes from native hardwood from Victorian state forests. This figure must be for one completed financial year: either 2021-22 or 2022-2023.

Highly Impacted Manufacturers Stream:

• be highly affected by the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria, with:

1. 1. at least 40% of the business’s material inputs (measured by cost), used in the manufacturing process, derived from native hardwood sourced from Victorian state forests, or
   2. at least 40% of the business’s revenue derived from sales of products made with native Victorian hardwood.

These figures must be for one completed financial year: either 2021-22 or 2022-2023.

The following are not eligible to apply for TSCRP support:

• Commonwealth, state and local government agencies or bodies
• Publicly funded research institutions
• Industry associations
• Businesses that may use Victorian native hardwood timber but are not manufacturers, such as those engaged in retail trade, product design services, wholesale trade, construction (including installation and carpentry) or logistics
• Businesses that produce wood chips, firewood, sawdust and/or mulch
• Businesses eligible for support under the forestry transition support package being administered by the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), or
• Businesses accessing support via the other stream of the Timber Supply Chain Resilience Package (Impacted Businesses Stream or Highly Impacted Manufacturers Stream)

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for TSCRP support.

Who is a Qualified Service Provider?

The Qualified Service Provider is the preferred professional adviser to the business, who may be a financial advisor, accountant, lawyer or Tax or BAS Agent, who is qualified to deliver an approved Service Activity to the business.

If Applicants do not have access to an existing Qualified Service Provider, links to provider directories can be found at business.vic.gov.au/qsp.

The nominated Qualified Service Provider must:

• be a professional business advisor who is a member of, or registered with, an approved professional service body
• operate as a business and be registered for tax purposes in Australia with an active ABN, and
• not be an employee or director of the recipient business, or an associated entity or related entity of the recipient business.

Service Activity

The business may select the type of Qualified Service Provider that will assist with informing future business decisions.

The Service Activity provided by the Qualified Service Provider must support one or more of the scope of services listed below:

• advice and analysis regarding the management of cash flow, preparation or cash flow budgets and projections
• profitability analysis and formulation of financial management and/or operational business strategies
• tax advice and planning
• strategic analysis to revise business planning
• advice regarding the management of debts and liabilities
• advice regarding workforce management and employee matters
• legal advice relating to the business.

The grant payment cannot be used for the following expense types:

• service activities that have commenced or concluded prior to applying for funding from this Program
• activities that could ordinarily obtained in the usual course of business such as operating expenses, rent, stock purchases, utility payments, salaries/wages and associated entitlements, travel costs or routine maintenance
• capital expenditure
• financing fees, servicing creditors or personal debts and expenses
• the purchase, hire or lease of physical goods, plant or equipment
• payment of fines or regulatory charges
• any amount paid on account of goods and services tax
• personal, non-business-related legal advice, or
• any other expenditure as determined by the Department that does not meet program’s objectives.

How the voucher works

Step 1 – Businesses submit an application via the Business Victoria website at business.vic.gov.au along with required evidence of eligibility.

Step 2 – The Department will endeavour to notify Applicants of the outcome of their complete application within four weeks of submission.

Step 3 – If the Applicant is found eligible for a voucher, the service provider will contact the business within five days of notification to commence the Preliminary Business Diagnostic (Stage 1). The Diagnostic Report will be provided to the business and to the Department.

Step 4 – The Diagnostic will inform the business if there is value or benefit in developing a full Business Transition Plan. The service provider will scope the additional services to undertake this work. The business is not obliged to continue to the Business Transition Plan stage.

Step 5 – Upon agreement of a scope of work between the service provider and the business, the service provider will develop the Business Transition Plan.

Step 6 – The finalised Business Transition Plan will be provided to the business and the Department.

Step 7 – Businesses that have completed a Business Transition Plan may be offered the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $120,000 (excluding GST) to implement the steps outlined in their plan. Application Information about this grants program will be made available to eligible businesses.

Applications will be carefully considered and assessed against the eligibility criteria.

Applications will be assessed using the information and evidence provided in the application form and through verification with other data sources.

Businesses must ensure that the information listed with the Australian Business Register (ABR) as part of their ABN registration is current and accurate at the time of application.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment process and criteria.

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.
• Provide complete information requirements.

Impacted Manufacturers Stream:

Businesses must provide the following:

• Evidence of hardwood from Victorian state forests as a material input, in the form of:
  1. paid invoices, orders and/or receipts evidencing purchase of native hardwood from Victorian state forests between 1 July 2021 and 23 May 2023, and
  2. a Statutory Declaration from the director or authorised person stating that native hardwood from Victorian state forests represents between 5.00% and 40.00% of material inputs for the business
• professional membership details
• where applicable, a valid Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration number, and
• bank account details.

Highly Impacted Manufacturers Stream:

Businesses must provide the following:

• Evidence of native hardwood timber supply from Victorian state forests as a material input, in the form of:

1. 1. paid invoices, orders and/or receipts evidencing purchase of hardwood from Victorian state forests between 1 July 2021 and 23 May 2023, and
   2. a Statutory Declaration from the director or authorised person stating that native hardwood from Victorian state forests represents at least 40% of material inputs for the business.

All questions in the application need to be completed and requested information and evidence provided to ensure timely assessment.

As part of the application process, the business must acknowledge and agree to be bound by the conditions of the Program in the application form and these guidelines.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the eligibility assessment and, if successful, will be contacted by the service provider within five days.

See the guidelines for full details of support materials and other information requirements.

Applications must be submitted online via the Business Victoria website at business.vic.gov.au.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.