The Australian Government’s $50m Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package) includes three grant programs.
The Wine Export Grants – currently open for applications – are 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.
The state-based and competitive grants – now closed – are designed to support the growth of regional wine tourism, by providing funding for new international wine tourism initiatives that will attract international tourists to our regions.
More information is included below:
Wine Export Grants (2b) - Now open for applications
The Wine Export Grants program encourages small and medium wine producers to capture export opportunities in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and the USA, by offering a reimbursement grant for specific export promotion activities incurred on a single promotional visit on or after 1 January 2018.
What do applicants get?
Eligible applicants may claim up to A$25,000, including:
- up to 50 per cent reimbursement of eligible expenses, and
- a daily allowance of A$350 capped at 14 days for incidental or on-ground costs (e.g. vehicle hire, telephone and internet costs, foreign currency exchange costs, meals, laundry, taxis in countries other than Australia, hospitality costs, accommodation or translating/interpreting services).
See Wine Export Grants at a glance for an overview of the program.
Before applying for this grant, ensure you have:
How to apply
Applications can be made online via Wine Australia’s grants portal until 5pm ACDT 1 May 2020 or until the funds are exhausted. See the tally of remaining funds in the table below.
For assistance with your application, please phone Wine Australia on (08) 8228 2000 or email grants@wineaustralia.com
Things to note:
- Wine Australia has released three addenda to the Wine Export Grant guidelines, which can be accessed via the links below
- Our frequently asked questions are updated regularly to reflect questions received regarding the Wine Export Grants.
- Wine Australia requires a statutory declaration to be submitted in conjunction with the grant application, along with any supporting documentation, at the time of the submission.
- Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer from Wine Australia, which will include an explanation of any ineligible expenses that were applied for but are not being granted.
- The grant guidelines are also available on GrantConnect, the Australian Government’s grants information system, as required by the Commonwealth Grant Rules Guidelines.
How much funding is available?
In recognition of the high demand for these grants, the total pool of funding was increased to $1.5 million in October 2018. Funding is accessed on a first-come, first-served basis and businesses can only make one claim for reimbursement.
Below is an indication of remaining funds which is updated every time funding is committed under the Wine Export Grant program. You may need to click the ‘refresh’ or ‘reload’ button on your internet browser to see the latest updates to the figures.
| Total funding: | $1,500,000.00 |
| Total committed: | $-- |
| Total remaining: | $-- |
Find out about the latest consumer insights into the China and USA markets.
Competitive grants (3b) - Applications closed
State-based grants (3a) - Applications closed
Other grants
In addition to the three grants within the Export and Regional Wine Support Package, Wine Australia will be 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) rebate arrangements. It complements the components of the Package, which are being implemented from 2018 to 2020.
Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant - Opening 1 July 2019
| Grant | The objective of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant is to support producers who add value by attracting visitors to wine regions, and thereby encourage wine tourism. Wine producers who have met the eligibility criteria in the preceding financial year will be able to access an annual grant of up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) for their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales. Total funding under the grant program will be capped at $10 million each financial year. |
| Dates | Applications will open for round 1 (2018-19 financial year) on 1 July 2019 and will close at 5pm ACST 30 September 2019. |
| Guidelines | > Download the guidelines for the Cellar Door Grants The grant guidelines are also available on GrantConnect, the Australian Government’s grants information system, as required by the Commonwealth Grant Rules Guidelines. |
| Applications | Instructions on how to apply will be displayed on this website as the information becomes available. |
Current timelines
| Assessment of Wine Export Grant applications | Ongoing until $1.5 million of funding is exhausted |
| State and competitive grant funding agreement negotiations and project delivery | From April 2018 |
| Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants applications open – year 1 | 1 July 2019 |
| Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants applications close – year 1 | 30 September 2019 |
| Conclusion of state and competitive grant programs | April 2020 |
Note: All dates are indicative and subject to Government approval.