The Australian Government's Export and Regional Wine Support Package (ERWSP) is an exciting, one-off allocation of $50 million over four years, which aims to grow the Australian wine sector by driving demand for Australia’s wine exports and showcasing the nation’s wine tourism.
Australian Vignerons, the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Wine Australia have worked in consultation with the Australian wine sector to develop the business plan, which can be downloaded here.
The Package will be implemented from 2018 to 2020, and seeks to support the Australian wine sector’s renewed focus on export markets through the delivery of four interrelated programs:
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Program 1: Accelerating growth in international demand
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Program 2: Creating China-ready businesses
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Program 3: Capturing growth in wine regions
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Program 4: Transforming cider businesses
Wine Australia will continue to work with the grape and wine sector through the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Australian Vignerons to activate the four programs of the Package.
Indicative timelines
Draft grant guidelines are open for comment until Wednesday 18 October 2017
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has released the draft guidelines for the Export and Regional Wine Support Package grant programs on its website for consultation.
Download a short summary of the draft grant guidelines here.
| Draft guidelines for ERWSP grants released | September 2017 |
| Draft guidelines consultation period | September – October 2017 |
| Guidelines for ERWSP grants finalised and approved | October – November 2017 |
| ERWSP grants advertising | December 2017– February 2018 |
| ERWSP grants applications assessed | February – March 2018 |
| ERWSP grants funding agreements negotiated with successful applicants | March – April 2018 |
| ERWSP grants projects commence | From March 2018 |
| Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants applications open | From July 2019 |
Note: All dates are indicative and subject to Government approval.
More information will be made available in the coming months. Subscribe to keep up to date on key ERWSP news.
Program governance
The President of Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Chairs of Australian Vignerons and Wine Australia will meet to agree the annual operating plan for the Package each year, which will be subject to Wine Australia Board approval, and to undertake mid-year reviews. The Wine Australia Board will also measure and report on progress.
Legislative changes to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 are being pursued to allow Wine Australia to implement the grants.