Up to $500,000 grants to assist SME manufacturers in Victoria

The Business Competitive Program will assist small and medium manufacturers in Victoria to expand operations and implement new manufacturing technologies and processes aimed at generating sustainable, new, local jobs; increasing industry competitiveness and strengthening local supply chains.

Grants of up to 33 per cent of eligible project expenditure, to a maximum grant amount of $500,000, will be allocated on a competitive basis to eligible applicants.

Eligible applicant must:

• operate a business located in Victoria

• hold an Australian Business Number r(ABN)

• be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain

• employ at least 20 FTE staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million (preference given to applicants employing less than 200 people)

• agree to meet co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure

Grant funding can be used to support purchase and commissioning of capital equipment (fixed assets), and associated project expenditure related to manufacturing product and processing improvements, prototyping, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and supply chain capability development.

Applications close on 20 June 2021.