Business support

Support is available through the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program to assist affected forestry businesses to transition from native timber to plantation fibre and transformative industry investment.

Round 3 is now open. Eligibility has been extended to harvest and haulage sub-contractors, chip truck drivers and other forestry businesses impacted by the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria

The Forestry Business Support Package is available to support native timber dependant businesses not covered by the Sawmill Voluntary Transition Package, Harvest and Haulage Support Package or Community Forestry Support Package.

It provides funding to eligible forestry businesses, such as:

• haulage sub-contractors
• chip truck drivers
• seed collectors
• businesses that provided forest-based services to VicForests.

The package includes:

• Compensation for the decreased value of plant and equipment previously used to support the commercial harvest or haulage of native timber from State forests.
• Reimbursement of employee statutory redundancy payments (capped) made due to the forestry transition.
• A loss of income payment to eligible businesses that provided forest-based services to VicForests.

Support is available through the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program to assist affected forestry businesses to transition from native timber to plantation fibre and transformative industry investment.

Round 3 is now open. Eligibility has been extended to harvest and haulage sub-contractors, chip truck drivers and other forestry businesses impacted by the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria

Harvest and haulage contractors have the option to transfer their harvest contracts to DEECA Forest and Fire Management Services Agreements or exit the industry.

A Harvest and Haulage Support Package is available to support the transition to new contracts or support business’ exits.

The package includes:

• compensation for loss of income
• plant and equipment compensation
• a payment to reimburse employee statutory redundancy payments.

Contractors can access different components of the package depending on their circumstances.

Applications are open from 1 December 2023 to 31 July 2024.

Support is available through the Victorian Timber Innovation Grants Program to assist affected forestry businesses to transition from native timber to plantation fibre and transformative industry investment.

Eligibility of Round 3 has been extended to harvest and haulage sub-contractors, chip truck drivers and other forestry businesses impacted by the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria.

The Forestry Transition Fund provides grants up to $1 million for businesses and industry groups - including chambers of commerce and associations, peak bodies and businesses networks - to apply for grants to expand, diversify or start new businesses.

Applicants that directly employ displaced native timber workers will receive a $20,000 wage subsidy per worker in addition to their grant.

Funding is also available to local councils, water corporations and utility providers to make sure there is the right infrastructure in place to support businesses’ applications.