Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship Guidelines

What is the Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Program?

The scholarship provides young farmers and people wanting to get into farming with up to $5,000 towards training or study (Upskill activity), and up to $5,000 to invest on-farm or into professional development to support the learnings for the upskill (Invest activity).

Who can apply?

• Aged between 18 and 45 years at the time of the application closing date
• Working in a food and fibre farm business in Victoria at least three days per week for the past three months
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident currently residing in Victoria
• Have at least two years of total on-farm experience

Those from diverse backgrounds and industries are encouraged to apply.

Who cannot apply?

The following organisations and individuals cannot apply for funding:

• Visa holders (non-permanent residents)
• Victorian Public Service employees.

What might be funded?

The following types of activities (or projects) are eligible for funding:

Upskill activity – eligible study and training

Applications will be considered for any form of study or training that supports the applicant to build a productive and profitable career in agriculture. This can include professional short courses or workshops, as long as it:

• involves a minimum of 16 contact hours (this may involve more than one course or workshop, and may be across multiple institutions or organisations, or offered online)

AND

• is delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO)

OR

• is delivered by any other reputable organisation approved through discussion with the Department. For further information, contact the Young Farmer Coordinator.

Study or training in the areas of business planning and management, risk management and financial literacy are encouraged. Upskilling in climate adaptation and mitigation, specific skills or farm safety could also be a focus, but applicants should not be limited to these areas.

The Victorian Skills Gateway and training.gov.au provide information on vocational training and Learn Local organisations. Further information is also available from local industry or training organisations or local Victorian Farmers Federation branches.

The duration of study for which the scholarship applies should not be more than two years, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Department.

Applicants need to provide a clear study plan and timeline in their application.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the information provided in applications. Therefore, it is important that applicants take adequate steps to ensure that the cost and timing of the proposed study plan is accurate.

Invest activity – eligible expenditure

Invest activity funds must:

• be directed towards activities that will support the application of learnings from the chosen Upskill study or training. This may include equipment to implement learnings from the Upskill activity.
• be expended within six months of completion of study or training (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Department).
• not be undertaken before the Upskill activities are completed. If an Invest activity is undertaken before the Upskill activities are completed, the Department may seek reimbursement of the scholarship funds.

Applicants will need to demonstrate in their application a clear link between the skills acquired through the Upskill activity and the application of those skills in the Invest activity. Invest activities that focus on putting skills into practice and focus on additional support and training (such as professional services, consultants, business management support) are encouraged.

What will not be funded?

Ineligible Upskill study or training include but are not limited to:

• travel, accommodation and childcare
• international training courses (unless the applicant can demonstrate there is no equal learning opportunity in Australia)
• training that has already commenced or been completed at the time of application. However, longer duration courses and training with distinct components (i.e., individual subjects) not yet undertaken at the time of applying may be eligible for reimbursement. Examples include future semesters of an Agribusiness Diploma or the second or subsequent year of a related degree. In these circumstances the subjects must be completed before the Invest activities commence.

Ineligible Invest activities include but are not limited to:

• activities located outside the State of Victoria
• activities that are required by law or that replace an individual’s, group’s, or government’s legal responsibility for sustainable management of resources under their control, unless able to demonstrate specific value to the project. For example, training to gain a licence required by law to undertake an activity is not eligible (such as dairy licencing fee, driver’s licence).
• day-to-day operating costs of the business. For example, rent, power, cleaning, telephones, laptops, administration, legal or insurance costs, preparation of tax returns.
• routine or ongoing maintenance including standard variable inputs. For example, seed, fertiliser, chemical, fodder, standard boundary and house fencing that would fall within a landholder’s normal responsibility.
• purchase, lease or acquisition of land, livestock, permanent or temporary water rights.
• purchase, leasing or maintenance and repair of transportation vehicles such as utility vehicles, boats, cars, quad bikes, motorbikes, trailers, and trucks.
• drainage works, unless identified as part of an integrated local catchment plan or with technical input.
• works, activities, or purchases already undertaken prior to submitting your application for the scholarship.
• works that have been paid for from other sources for the same or similar project.

What are the funding details?

The total funding available for the 2026 round is $125,000.

Scholarships valued up to $10,000 are available consisting of:

• up to $5,000 for Upskill activities
• up to $5,000 for Invest activities.

Approximately 12-14 scholarships are awarded per round.

Scholarship recipients are expected to pay for their Upskill and Invest activities up front. Recipients will be reimbursed via a claims process after demonstrated evidence of participation and completion of activity is provided.

Recipients can apply for upskill and invest activities more than $5,000 and cover the shortfall themselves.

If you are experiencing financial hardship or there are special circumstances which may impact your ability to accept this scholarship as per the Program Guidelines, please contact the Young Farmer Coordinator.

What are the assessment criteria?

First, applications will be checked for eligibility to make sure that the applicant and their activity are eligible for funding. After that, eligible applications will be assessed using the criteria listed below. Each criterion is given a percentage weighting to indicate its relative importance in the assessment process.

Criteria

1. Describe your aspiration to build skills and boost your food and fibre agricultural career prospects (25%).
2. Provide a clear, detailed study plan and timeline that sets out how you will achieve your aspirations through the scholarship.
   1. Your Upskill activity study plan should detail the: (25%)
      • education institution / training organisation name.
      • course name and code (if applicable).
      • course commencement date.
      • total course duration (units/hours).
      • cost of tuition.
   2. Your Invest activity plan should detail the: (25%)
      • name of the activity and / or items requested.
      • total value of the activity and or items requested.
3. Describe how the knowledge and skills obtained through selected study or training will benefit your career in agriculture. (25%)

What is the application process?

Applications are submitted online using the Grants Online portal. You can submit an application from 9:00 am Wednesday 15 July 2026. To apply, go to the Young farmers scholarships page and click on the Start New Application button.

To return to a saved draft application, click on the Access Saved Application button.

Make sure your application is submitted by 5:00 pm AEST on Friday 14 August 2026.

Note: Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Shortlisting

The Scholarship Selection Committee (the Committee) will assess all applications and shortlist applicants for an online interview. Applicants may be required to provide proof of identity at the interview.

The Department considers diversity criteria when assessing applications to ensure that each year’s cohort includes a diverse range of scholarship recipients, including by geographic location, industry, gender, cultural background, employment type (e.g. owner or employee) and professional experience.

What is the notification process?

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email after the assessment process is completed. All decisions are final and are not subject to further review. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an event to receive their scholarship certificate. A photo opportunity will be requested to promote the scholarship program.

Checklist

Read these guidelines and the information about this program on the Young farmers scholarships page before applying and complete the following checklist.

Have you:

• read these guidelines carefully?
• checked if you are eligible for this scholarship funding?
• checked if your activities are eligible for this scholarship funding?
• checked that you would be able to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in delivery of your activity?

What are the funding conditions?

Funding agreements

Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The Victorian Common Funding Agreement is used for funding agreements with individuals.

Payment of Invest and Upskill eligible activities will only be made to the scholarship recipient and not a family member or employer.

DEECA can only reimburse the individual scholarship recipient. If a family member or employer has agreed to cover the up-front costs, the scholarship recipient will need to manage the reimbursement of the family member or employer privately.

It is recommended that applicant review the terms and conditions before applying. Visit Victorian Common Funding Agreement for more information.

The activity does not include using the Funding for political campaigning or advocacy activities for political parties.

Payments

Scholarship recipients have up to two years (from the time they are awarded the scholarship) to complete their agreed Upskill activities. Funds will be provided to reimburse the tuition expenses paid in full by the scholarship recipient.

Upskill activity funding payment will be reimbursed when the recipient:

• provides evidence of acceptance and enrolment at their chosen institution(s) (for example, a letter from the institution).
• provides an invoice for tuition fees from the training provider and evidence of payment (for example, receipt, Commonwealth Assistance Notice or Fee Account Statement)
• provides evidence of completion of their Upskill activity (for example certificate of completion, a letter from institution confirming participation and completion of the Upskill activity).

Invest activity funding will be reimbursed when the recipient has:

• completed the Upskill activity and provided a certificate of completion.
• provided proof of purchase of agreed Invest activity for example, a receipt.
• completed the monitoring activity, refer to monitoring section below.

When scholarship recipients have fulfilled these requirements, they will receive a payment via electronic funds transfer to a nominated bank account. Payment may take up to four weeks to process.

Reimbursement claims for both Upskill and Invest activities will only be accepted up to three years from the date the Upskill activity was approved. Claims received after this period will not be processed

Variations to the proposed activities

It is possible to vary your proposal after you have received funding. However, any changes must be discussed with and approved by the appropriate DEECA officer via youngfarmer.coordinator@agriculture.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.

Variations cannot exceed the amount agreed in the funding agreement. You are ineligible to spend funds on any activities not outlined in your application until changes have been approved.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Tax implications

The Young Farmer Upskill and Invest Scholarships are GST exclusive.

If applicants are registered for GST, the application amount for both Upskill and Invest should be GST exclusive.

If applicants are not registered for GST, the application amount should include GST as shown in the example below.

Table 1. Examples of GST Cost Calculations

Applicants should consult the Australian Taxation Office or seek professional advice on any taxation implications that may arise from this grant funding.

Successful applicants without an ABN will need to provide a completed Australian Taxation Office form “Statement by a Supplier” so that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment.

Monitoring

Scholarship recipients are required to comply with project monitoring and reporting requirements as outlined in the funding agreement. On completion of the Upskill and Invest components, each Scholarship recipient will be required to provide feedback on their experience. Questions will be provided at the appropriate time.

Responsibility of scholarship recipients

Scholarship recipients are expected to manage all aspects of their scholarship independently (this includes Upskill activity study arrangements and Invest activities) and must notify the Department in writing of any changes to their contact details.

Legislative and regulatory requirements

In delivering the activity grant recipients are required to comply with all relevant Commonwealth and state/territory legislation and regulations, including but not limited to:

• The Privacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth)
• The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Acknowledging the Victorian Government’s support

Successful applicants are expected to acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support and promotional guidelines (available at DEECA - Grants) will form part of the funding agreement. Successful applicants must liaise with the departmental program area to coordinate any public events or announcements related to the project.

Privacy

Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected by the department for the purposes of administering your grant application and informing Members of Parliament of successful applications. Personal information may also be disclosed to external experts, such as members of assessment panels, or other Government Departments for assessment, reporting, advice, comment or for discussion regarding alternative or collaborative grant funding opportunities. If you intend to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure that they are aware of the contents of this privacy statement.

Any personal information about you or a third party in your correspondence will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and other applicable laws.

DEECA is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. View the DEECA Privacy Policy

Requests for access to information about you held by DEECA should be sent to the Manager Privacy, P.O. Box 500 East Melbourne 8002 or contact by emailing foi.unit@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Review and amendments

The Department in its absolute discretion may review and amend the Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Program Guidelines.

Additional information

Additional information is available at the Young farmers scholarships program page.

View examples of how scholarships might work in practice