The Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program provides native timber industry businesses funds to explore, invest and implement new opportunities.
On this page:
Overview
The Forestry Transition Program is providing support for workers, businesses and communities who are impacted by the cessation of commercial native timber harvesting in Victorian State forests.
The Victorian Timber Innovation Grant Program aims to support impacted forestry businesses to explore, invest, and implement new business opportunities.
Applications for Round 3 are now open.
Previous Victorian Timber Innovation Fund recipients
Australian Sustainable Hardwoods – Heyfield
Engineered Flooring Manufacturing Line and Retail Supply Chain – $1,619,000
MASSLAM Finishing and Storage and Reconditioner Project – $1,201,500
Radial Timber – Yarram
Small Log Line – $325,000
Hardwood Reconnaissance Project – $17,000
Plantation Processing Trials – $50,000
Longwarry Sawmill
Recycled Timber Project – $202,142
Ryan & McNulty – Benalla
Plantation-based manufacturing project - $100,000
Brunts Harvesting – Orbost
Forestry Innovation Transition Feasibility Study – $40,000
Talbot Timbers
Plantation Timber research and Feasibility Study – $82,758
Eddy Enterprises – Mansfield
Heavy Equipment Clean Up Feasibility Study Project – $89,875
Samaria Contracting
Excavation and Plantation Timber Processing Feasibility Study – $68,765
CDH Contracting – Alexandra
Alternative Timbers Business Transition Project – $71,238
Clark Generation – Healesville
Forestry Residue Utilisation Project Business Plan – $97,810
Australian Sustainable Hardwoods – Heyfield
Expand and complete specialised glue laminated timber facility - $967,500
W&J Fenner – Orbost
Transition into land and vegetation management - $110,000
Gippsland logging and earth moving – Traralgon
Transition to plantation haulage - $330,000
DN & LJ Blackwood Pty Ltd – Traralgon
Transition into plantation timber haulage services - $152,457
Blackwood Haulage Pty Ltd – Tyers
Transition to earthmoving services and firewood sales - $248,000
Boss Logging Pty Ltd – Bairnsdale
Transition into plantation timber feedstock transportation - $310,261
Blair & Campbell Haulage – Bruthen
Research options for carting alternatives - $86,400
Radial Timber Australia – Yarram
Trial of replacement fibre into product line - $90,000
MecTec Pty Ltd – Orbost
Heavy Transport Sales and Service Transition - Stage 1 - $275,000
BP & JN Weller Pty Ltd - Glengarry
Transition to Heavy Machinery Haulage Business - $255,000
Central Excavations and Contracting – Romsey
Transition to earth moving business - $249,115
Meyer Log Cartage – Romsey
Transition to private tree services - $301,269
Simply Baths Pty Ltd – Harcourt
Electrification of wood fired bakery - $184,300
Jacksons Creek Sawmill Pty Ltd – Diggers Rest
Sawmill Upgrade - $333,333
Pyrenees Timber – Beaufort
Alternative heating fuel source for health service - $86,000
Otway Tonewoods – Otway
High Value Tonewoods Feasibility Study - $89,983
Ryan & McNulty – Benalla
Plantation-based manufacturing project - $250,000
Samaria Contracting Pty Ltd – Benalla
Transition to plantation-based project - $250,000
Eddy Enterprises Pty Ltd - Mansfield
Heavy Equipment Clean up Prototype - $250,000
North East Logging Pty Ltd – Acheron
Transition to civil construction sector - $266,666
Conway Transport Pty Ltd – Taggerty
Transition to forest management and contractor services - $273,983
CDH Contracting – Alexandra
Transition to forest management services - $250,000
Eddcon Pty Ltd – Tolmie
Seed Processing and Storage Facility Feasibility Study - $90,000
LogPros Pty Ltd – Yarra Ranges
Transition to food grade freezer transport - $249,165
Powelltown Sawmill – Yarra Ranges
Plantation Fibre Utilisation Feasibility Study - $89,396
Firewood Processor Procurement - $331,577
Swan Sawmill Pty Ltd - Picola
Alternative timber innovation project - $194,695
Moloney Logging Pty Ltd – Traralgon
Transition to haulage of cement tanker project - $246,333
Curry Haulage Pty Ltd – Yinnar South
Transitioning to alternative haulage activities - $247,696
This list will be updated regularly as Round 2 grants are finalised.
Objectives
The program supports Victorian forestry businesses to:
explore, test or deliver new or innovative business models; or
diversify and reorient core business activities into alternative industry sectors.
Application process
Round 3 of the program has:
an expression of interest (EOI) stage
an application stage
help for applicants to prepare their application.
Funding details
The Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program will provide grants up to $1 million.
Funding for Round 3 of the Program is awarded based on:
the application’s value for money
the capability of the applicant to complete the project.
The following will be considered by government when determining the grant amount provided:
Project alignment with the program’s objectives, particularly the creation and the retention of jobs in Victorian communities impacted by the native timber transition.
The co-contribution amount to be made by the applicant.
Previous funding received by the applicant from the Forestry Transition Program, including earlier rounds of the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund, and the status of funded projects.
The project will provide value for money by generating broader public good, particularly building local economies, and creating new or retaining existing employment opportunities.
Grants over $1 million may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Co-contribution requirements
A cash co-contribution is not a requirement for projects with a total value of up to $250,000 where jobs will be retained or created.
For projects with a total value of over $250,000, a minimum 1:1 cash co-contribution will be required by the applicant for every dollar over $250,000. Sources of cash co-contribution must be disclosed in the application. The purchase of land will not be considered a co-contribution.
Further information can be found in the program guidelines.
Who can apply
Businesses that meet the following criteria can apply for a Victorian Timber Innovation Grant:
have or had a Timber Sale Agreement, Forest Produce Licence or Forest Produce Agreement issued by VicForests that was current as of 1 January 2023
have or had a timber harvest/haulage contract with VicForests that was current as of 1 January 2023
are a haulage sub-contractor contracted since 1 July 2020 to a business with a current VicForests harvest and/or haulage contract, and derived at least 30% of annual revenue from that contract based on an average of the last 5 financial years
are a road contractor who has had a contract since 1 July 2020 to a business with a harvest/ haulage contract with VicForests that was current at 1 July 2023, and had at least 30% of annual revenue derived from road construction or maintenance operations on the road network used for hardwood log haulage based on an average of the last 5 financial years
are a road contractor who has had a contract with VicForests since 1 July 2020, and had at least 30% of annual revenue derived from road construction or maintenance operations on the road network used for hardwood log haulage based on an average of the last 5 financial years
are a seed collector who has at least 30% of annual revenue from the VicForests contract, based on an average of the last 5 financial years
are a business undertaking forest-based activities which has had at least 30% of annual revenue derived from a VicForests contract based on an average of the last 5 financial years.
They also must:
have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
conduct business operations within Victoria
meet all the industrial relations obligations as an employer under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) National Employment Standards.
Read the program guidelines before contacting a forestry transition representative to discuss your project.
If you need to, at this point seek help from a registered service provider to help prepare your application and business project plan.
The registered service provider will complete an expression of interest and/or a grant application on your behalf.
Submit an Expression of Interest.
You will receive:
an Expression of Interest outcome
a link to the application form via email if successful.
You then need to lodge and application online before the program closing date.
The Department will then assess and recommend applications to the Minister for funding.
You will be notified of the outcome.
If you are successful you will receive a Letter of Offer. You then need to respond by either accepting or rejecting the Letter of Offer.
The Department will issue a grant agreement.
You need to return the signed agreement to the Department.
The Department countersigns and executes the agreement.
The project starts and payments are made when project milestones are met and completed.
Grant application assistance service
A grant application assistance service is available to help businesses apply for Round 3 of the Timber Innovation Grants.
Applicants can get help from a registered service provider to:
Undertake project planning to help prepare and submit an Expression of Interest for the Timber Innovation Fund – Round 3 on behalf of the business.
Prepare and submit an application or the Timber Innovation Fund – Round 3 on behalf of the business.
The grant application assistance service of the Timber Innovation Fund – Round 3 is delivered as a voucher program.
A voucher can be applied for as part of the expression of interest process when it is submitted by a registered service provider on behalf of a businesses.
The grant application assistance service is optional for any eligible business who requires assistance to submit an expression of interest and/or an application to the program.
Find a registered service provider
Located in Kilsyth, CLN Financial Services offers tailored financial solutions including accounting, taxation, mortgage brokering, and grants administration. Their expert team, led by Director Craig Naisbitt, provides personalised advice and support to individuals and businesses.
From managing financial records and tax obligations to securing mortgage financing and grants, CLN Financial Services ensures clients receive comprehensive assistance to achieve their financial goals.
With a focus on accuracy, compliance, and client satisfaction, CLN Financial Services is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and helping clients navigate the complexities of the financial landscape with confidence and ease.
Located in Warragul, IntraWork provides comprehensive grant writing services, including project management, data sourcing, proposal development, budget creation, and stakeholder liaison.
They assist clients from initial consultation to post-submission support, ensuring thorough and compelling grant applications.
Additionally, they offer strategic planning, policy advocacy, and tailored training workshops, leveraging our extensive experience and access to professional facilities at The Herd Coworking space in Warragul.
Their all-inclusive approach helps organisations develop robust projects, meet deliverables, and secure necessary funding.
Located in Gippsland, Snowy Advisory is a regionally based company that provides consultancy and services predominantly into the innovation, enterprise development, program management and business advisory arena. They also offer stakeholder facilitation and coordination services.
They are active in innovation networks providing mentoring, particularly for entrepreneurs, in the areas of business planning and practices, governance, establishing networks and risk management.
Located in Maryborough, Herring and McMillan Taxation is a team of highly skilled, professional accountants and advisors offering a range of taxation and accounting services to individuals, partnerships, companies, trusts, as well as self-managed superannuation funds.
They also provide bookkeeping services, secretarial services, tax planning and advice, together with expert advice on a variety of business structures.
The team has a wealth of experience and prides itself upon providing high quality, personalised services to assist our clientele in achieving their goals and objectives.
Located in Warragul, Tarago Accounting and Business Services is a small accounting, taxation and business advisory firm with 30 years of experience in the Victorian Hardwood Timber Industry.
Tarago work closely with their clients on a one-to-one basis to ensure they understand their goals and assist them in every way possible to achieve those. Tarago is involved in every aspect of their client’s business lives and become an integral part of their success.
Located in Sale, Traralgon and Foster, Phillipson's provides accounting, taxation, bookkeeping and financial planning services to small to medium sized businesses.
Their staff enjoy the challenge of a variety of engagements and being involved in business advisory projects is just part of that.
Located in Bairnsdale, Whites Accounting and Taxation Solutions offers accounting, taxation, business management, financial and other consulting services to businesses.
Located in Daylesford, servicing all of Victoria, Greenwood Strategy is a leading advisor to Australia's forest and wood products sector.
Their clients range from small to large forest and wood products businesses, as well as government agencies and industry representative organisations.
Greenwood Strategy Solutions have a deep understanding of the forest and wood products sector and experience assisting businesses with strategic and business advice on a wide range of issues.
Located and servicing both Gippsland and Melbourne, Simplexity Consulting specialises in helping small and medium-sized businesses navigate growth, transition, and strategic development.
Simplexity Consulting works closely with clients to diagnose challenges, develop strategies, and implement solutions that drive sustainable business improvements.
Each of the services have a focus on helping businesses optimise operations and achieve their goals.
Services include strategic direction, coaching, vision/purpose setting, brand development, project management, business design and systems, business development, creative consulting, marketing and campaign strategy, grant support and social media strategy.
nem Australasia is a 40 Partner consultancy of former business owners and senior managers. Some with firsthand expertise across timber processing and value adding manufacturing including truss and frame, panelised construction feasibility and brand launch activities.
nem Australasia's methodologies focus on blind spot identification and Competitive Advantage development which help us identify the most strategic opportunities for clients that matches their current and potential skill sets.
nem Australasia's team of qualified business planners, engineers, finance and HR specialists regularly assists clients review business growth acquisitions as this can be a faster growth pathway.
The nem CAMA™ model can also assist clients understand the right sectors to target as part of the Timber Transition and Innovation program. CAMA™ is the identification of competitive advantage requirements across market attractive sectors. It holds the key to successful and more sustainable ventures.
ION Group specialises in developing practical forestry transition strategies and preparing funding applications to enable our clients to access the financial resources and support necessary for their projects to succeed.
ION Group will come to your premises to ensure we understand your unique situation and needs. We invest every effort to gain your trust and confidence and assure you of privacy and our professionalism at all times.
ION Group understand the forestry industry and have worked with timber mills, harvesters, haulage, seed-collectors, sub-contractors and others in the industry over many years and through much adversity.
The Victorian Government’s Fair Jobs Code came into effect on 1 December 2022.
The Fair Jobs Code allows the Victorian Government to use its purchasing power to promote secure employment and fair labour standards and to ensure compliance with employment, workplace and industrial laws.
Grants of $500,000 and over (excluding GST) may need to comply with the Code – for more information, please visit the Buying for Victoria website.
