The Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package) has delivered three grant programs.
Activities and initiatives funded by the state-based and competitive grants – now closed – were delivered to support the growth of regional wine tourism.
Wine Export Grants – targeted support
Round 1 2018-19 - closed
The first round of Wine Export Grants - now closed - was designed to support small to medium wine exporters in capturing export opportunities in China and the USA, by offering reimbursement grants for specific export promotion activities from January 2018.
Round 2 2020–21 – opening soon
To help counter the impacts of COVID-19 on in-market events, Wine Australia is offering $1 million towards Wine Export Grants Round 2.
What is the Wine Export Grant?
Wine producers may be eligible for up to $25,000 in reimbursement for the cost of promotional activities in any export market, including:
- Free samples including freight or transport
- Trade fairs and forums – including online and virtual promotions, marketing and advertising collateral specific to your international audience
- Specific travel costs (includes a daily allowance, limits apply).
Up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses incurred on or after 1 July 2020 will be reimbursed for eligible applicants.
Ensure you read the guidelines when planning your promotional activities to optimise your reimbursement.
Eligibility
Small and medium wine producers (aggregated turnover of less than AU$20 million and export turnover of less than $5 million, in 2019-20).
Applicants who have previously received a Wine Export Grant in round 1 may apply again – subject to eligibility criteria. You can only receive one grant under round 2.
How to apply?
- read and understand the guidelines
- collate the supporting evidence for each expense incurred – ensure you check the Eligible Expenses table for the required evidence
- *register or log in to Wine Australia’s online grants portal, from 17 August 2020 – we recommend you activate your log in early to prevent disappointment
- upload all your evidence including the Statutory Declaration
*If your business has previously applied through Wine Australia’s online grant portal, please contact the Grants Team on 08 8228 2000 to ensure your login credentials are linked to your business.
Important
- The grant program is capped at $1 million, with funding accessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Once the program opens for applications, this page will display a tally of funding committed under the program.
If you require further information, please email grants@wineaustralia.com or call 08 8228 2000.
See the impact of the investment
Download our quarterly update of progress towards headline key performance indicators.
Download the infographic Previous Wine Export Grant recipients
The Wine Export Grants program closed on 8 August 2019.
A total of 135 wine producers secured an average of approximately $11,100 in grant funding to support export promotional activities in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and the USA. View the full list of grant recipients on GrantConnect.
In recognition of the high demand for these grants, the total pool of funding was increased from $1 million to $1.5 million in October 2018. Funding was accessed on a first-come, first-served basis with businesses only eligible to make one claim for reimbursement.
Competitive grant recipients
State-based grant recipients
Grant project highlights
Tasmania wine tourism launch
Tourism Tasmania launched its international wine tourism campaign during an ‘Evening of Indulgence’ in San Francisco on 12 September 2019.
Margaret River wine unearthed
Tune in to Margaret River Wine Association’s new ‘Wine Unearthed’ podcast series, exploring the people and places that make Margaret River unique.
Limestone Coast itinerary planning tool
Wine lovers looking to visit the Limestone Coast can now plan their trip using a free and user-friendly itinerary planning tool showcasing the latest wine and tourism attractions.
Queensland wine tourism strategy
Queensland wineries are behind a new five-year strategy to develop high-quality wine tourism experiences and attract more international tourists to the state’s wine regions.
In addition to the three grants within the Export and Regional Wine Support Package, Wine Australia is responsible for administering the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant.
The grant is part of a coordinated suite of measures developed with the Australian grape and wine community after extensive consultations on reforms to the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) arrangements. It complements the components of the Package, which are being implemented from 2018 to 2021.
Round two of the program will open soon.
For further information about this grant please see Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants.