Business Competitiveness Program

Round 2 opening soon

Likely late June 2022

What is the Business Competitiveness Program?

The Business Competitiveness Program is a grant opportunity to assist eligible Victorian manufacturers to expand their operations and implement new adaptive manufacturing technologies and processes.

Bulletpoint Track Record

Bulletpoint has assisted numerous companies secure manufacturing grants.

Bulletpoint helped Greenbear secure a grant of $500,000. Based in Tottenham, Victoria, Greenbear is a processor of waste and recycled materials. They received funding to build a fully-automated waste sorting line for residential Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste more feasibly and efficiently than current disposal methods.

Bulletpoint assisted Harry & Larry’s secure a grant of $1,200,000. Based in Brunswick, Harry & Larry’s manufacture a range of specialty ice creams. The grant will see 30 new jobs created and investment in a factory expansion with custom engineered production lines, including the latest freezing technology, to make a range of gourmet ice creams and desserts in complex shapes and layers.

Bulletpoint assisted Cottage Cheese Farm secure a grant of $765,000. Based in Glenroy, Victoria, Cottage Cheese Farm is a speciality cheese manufacturer making mainly Haloumi, Ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. They received funding to assist with construction of a $6M purpose built cheese and yoghurt manufacturing facility. The project will allow them to expand current operations and introduction of new product lines.

Bulletpoint assisted Abey Australia secure a grant of $250,000. Based in Gisborne, Victoria, Abey is a manufacturer of plumbing and building products. They received a grant of $250,000 to buy five high-speed of five robots and 3 conveyors.

Bulletpoint assisted Osteon Medical secure a grant of $74,000. Based in Mulgrave, Victoria, Osteon Medical manufacture a range of dental and facial implant prosthetic products. They received a  grant to purchase a 5 axis simultaneous CNC milling machine.

Bulletpoint assisted Keech secure a grant of $141,700. Based in Bendigo, Victoria, Keech is a manufacturer of high integrity steel castings. They received a grant to  based in Bendigo. Keech received a grant to purchase a 3D digital printer for prototyping and pattern making.

Bulletpoint assisted AMR Hewitts secure a grant of $135,000, Based in Tullamarine, Victoria,  AMR Hewitts is a print packaging for the pharmaceutical and food packaging industries. They received a grant to purchase a new forme cutting machine to reduce turnaround times.

Bulletpoint assisted Class Plastics secure a grant of $250,000. Based in Truganina, Victoria, Class Plastics is a manufacturer of industrial and retail plastic liquid containers. They received a grant to purchase a series of accumulated blow moulding machines and feed in conveyors.

Round 2 opening soon

Background

Over the next three years the $60 million Business Competitiveness Program will help to build Victoria’s sovereign manufacturing capability by providing grant support to Victorian businesses in key growth sectors across the state.

The program will support the creation of around 1000 new jobs in its first year, driving economic recovery and ensuring Victorian industry remains sustainable and can continue to thrive into the future.

As Victoria recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, this fund aims to stimulate job creating investment by Victorian industry in sectors where Victoria has a significant competitive advantage to ensure Victorian industry is sustainable and thriving into the future.

Funding

The program provides grants of up to 33 per cent of eligible project expenditure allocated on a competitive basis. The maximum grant amount is $500,000 and the minimum grant amount is $50,000. For example, a $900,000 project where capital equipment is purchased and implemented may be eligible for a grant amount of $300,000.

All grants require a minimum co-contribution from the applicant of 67 per cent of total eligible project expenditure ($2 for every $1 funded by the Victorian Government).

Applicants will be required to provide quotations and estimates in support of their applications and must clearly demonstrate how funding the project activities will support the creation of new jobs.

Eligible Projects

The Business Competitiveness Program will support the purchase and commissioning of capital equipment (recorded as fixed assets in the applicant’s accounts) and associated project expenditure related to manufacturing product and process improvements, prototyping, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and supply chain capability development.

Any other activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligible project expenditure includes the following activities relating to the proposed project:

• capital expenditure (e.g. manufacturing machinery and equipment)
• other project-related non-capitalised expenditure (e.g. related to product and process improvements, prototyping, evaluation and testing of
• new products and processes, and supply chain capability development)
• minor building alterations and fit-out costs
• training specific to the technology (external costs only)
• labour and contractors (but does not include internal salaries).

Eligible project expenditure must:

• Be incurred by the grant recipient within 18 months of execution of the grant agreement
• Be a direct cost of the project and
• Be exclusive of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, companies will need to:

• be a legally structured business registered in Victoria with an Australian Business Number (ABN), with a minimum three years trading history;
• be currently engaged in manufacturing or the manufacturing supply chain or demonstrate a genuine commercial connection to the manufacturing supply chain;
• have an operating presence in Victoria; and
• employ at least 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million (preference will be given to applicants that employ less than 200 people).

Companies with fewer than 20 FTE staff may be considered but will need to provide a compelling argument demonstrating why their project should be funded and how it will stimulate job creation.

Companies with an annual turnover of more than $100 million will need to provide a compelling argument demonstrating why government support is needed.

An Incorporated Trustee can apply on behalf of a Trust provided that the Trustee:

• will remain sufficiently liable for the performance of any agreement it signs; and
• can meet the above eligibility criteria.

Individual Partners may apply on behalf of a Partnership provided that the Partners:

• will remain jointly and severally liable for the performance of any agreement they sign; and
• can meet the above eligibility criteria.

How to get the Business Competitive Program

What you need to focus on

1. Need for Government support – Why do you need the cash and why should the Government give you a grant – 30%
2. Job creation – How many new jobs are you going to create? – 30%
3. Other benefits – How will the project help your business competitiveness – 25%
4. Capacity and capability – Have you delivered similar projects in the past? – 15%

Timing

Applications for round 2 of funding will likely openning June 2022.

More Information

• Source
• Business Competitiveness Program – Guidelines
• Business Competitiveness Program – Application Form (Sample)
• Business Competitiveness Program – Cashflow Forecast
• Business Competitiveness Program – Project Plan
• Business Competitiveness Program – Project Plan (Sample)

Round 2 opening soon

Latest News

21 June 2022 – Phillip Island Chocolate Factory received $1,400,000

A popular tourist attraction and chocolate manufacturer on Philip Island has received support from the Victorian Government to expand its facilities, creating more local jobs and boosting tourism.

The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is increasing its production capacity and building new viewing areas for visitors, creating 25 new jobs. The $1.4 million project will bring in new machinery to significantly boost production from 35 tonnes to 550 tonnes of chocolate each year – roughly the same weight as a full Airbus A380 airplane.

Source

16 May 2022 – 28 Victorian companies share in $10M to expand their operations and introduce new technology

Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today announced 28 small-to-medium sized manufacturing businesses will share in more than $10 million of funding through the Labor Government’s Business Competitiveness Program.

The projects are worth more than $35 million collectively and are expected to create more than 550 new jobs across the state. The recipients are located across Victoria and operate in a variety of sectors including food and beverage, construction, textiles, and machinery and equipment. It provides grants of up to $500,000 to help businesses expand their operations.

Source

Round 1 Recipients

The following businesses have been awarded a grant under Round One of the Business Competitiveness Program: