Distillery Door Program
The Distillery Door Program is a $20 million package to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry. Launched in the 2021-22 financial year, additional funding is now available for through the program. We're delivering this program with some of our industry partners.
Available funding
The program opened on 27 November 2023 and will close at 5 pm on 30 September 2024, or when funds are fully subscribed (whichever occurs first). Eligible assessments and costs incurred from 1 April 2023 until the closing date can be claimed,
The Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate will assist distillers of alcoholic beverages to invest in equipment and infrastructure to improve safety in distilleries.
A Rebate of up to 70% or 80% of the total eligible expenditure (GST exclusive) or up to the maximum of $50,000 (GST exclusive), whichever is the lesser amount, is available for equipment and infrastructure that will support improvements to safety in distilleries.
Applicants will be required to make a cash co-contribution of a minimum of 20% or 30% of the total eligible expenditure on infrastructure and equipment on the project.
Co-contribution will be:
- 20% cash co-contribution if no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2022-23 financial year
- 30% cash co-contribution if greater than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2022-23 financial year
Co-contributions must be cash. In-kind contributions such as labour are not included. Any additional or ineligible costs associated with the overall project must be met by the applicant.
Additional grant information
- Distillery Support – Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate guidelines (PDF - 771.3 KB)
- Distillery Support – Safety – Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate guidelines (WORD - 2.3 MB)
- Statutory declaration (WORD - 42.1 KB)
- Trustee declaration (WORD - 767.2 KB)
Apply now
Start or resume your application
What can the rebate be used for?
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 dangerous goods inspector undertaken from 1 April 2023 until 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.
After you apply
You will receive an automated email, stating your application has been received.
Applicants will be advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application within three weeks from lodgement, however this may take longer if large volumes of applications are received.
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 dangerous goods inspector
- items pertaining to brewing, wine making and other beverage production
- 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.
Required supporting documentation
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 dangerous goods inspector - undertaken from 1 April 2023 until 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.
Legal entity definition
A legal entity is an association, corporation, trustee of a trust, or individual that has legal standing in the eyes of the law.
A legal entity has legal capacity to enter into agreements or contracts, assume obligations, incur and pay debts, sue and be sued in its own right, and to be held responsible for its actions.
Upskilling our distillers has been identified as one of the core focuses of the Distillery Door Program.
Funding of up to $2,000 per distillery is available for Victorian distillers to upskill to improve the knowledge and experience of the people that make this industry work. The training is broad and flexible to meet the differing needs of an industry that has large, medium, small and micro businesses, all of which have their place in a growing industry.
About the program
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 four streams:
Skills Development
- An in-depth analysis of the distilled spirits industry was commissioned by Spirits Victoria to identify the industry’s strengths and opportunities for growth.
- An education pathway is under development. Find out more from the Spirits Victoria Association.
- An Industry Development Officer has been employed. Contact the IDO at seb@australiandistillers.org.au
Boosting the Visitor Economy
- Funding of $4.05 million has been awarded to eligible distillers to establish, enhance or promote a distillery door, increasing visitation
Infrastructure and Safety
- Funding of $1.3 million has been awarded to eligible distillers to increase business capability and efficiency through investment and improvements in on-site infrastructure.
- Safety rebates are currently available. Refer to Available Funding.
- Spirits Victoria have benchmarked sustainability practices and environmental stewardship within the distilling industry, along with a toolkit that was developed to apply this to your individual facility.
Export capability
- An export analysis has been undertaken by the Spirits Victoria Association.
- Further work to be undertaken to improve export capability and to increase the international profile of Victorian spirits.
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