Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024
Closes at 2pm, Friday 19 July 2024
Program overview
The Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 will support new and innovative tourism infrastructure projects in regional and rural Victoria that will increase year-round visitation, improve the quality of experiences and increase visitors’ length of stay.
The fund provides grants of up to $5 million per project, with a minimum funding amount of $100,000 per project. Funding is focused on the 5 product priorities identified in Experience Victoria 2033 – First Peoples’ led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink and nature.
The fund will deliver 3 grant streams:
Stream 1 — Small-scale projects: between $100,000 and $1 million
Stream 2 — Large-scale projects: between $1,000,001 and $5 million
Stream 3 — Accommodation uplift: between $500,000 and $2 million.
Applicants can only submit one application for either Stream 1, 2 or 3.
Please read the information on this page, including the program guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Applications for the Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 will close at 2pm on Friday 19 July 2024.
Eligibility criteria
Grant applications for the Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 are open to:
specific interim entities that are recognised by Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) as being part of the regional tourism network
projects in regional and rural Victoria as per the list of LGAs in Section 4.2.3 of the guidelines
projects in Victoria that provide tourism benefit.
Applicants must be one of the following types of entities to apply:
private sector proponents (defined as a privately owned or commercial organisation that has overall control and responsibility for a project that is predominantly funded through private capital)
local and state government entities, based in Victoria including:
Public Land Managers
Land Management Authorities and Committees of Management
Local Government Authorities
A Victorian Alpine Resort (such as one of the 6 alpine resorts are legally incorporated under the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 and managed by Alpine Resorts Victoria).
State or Local Government owned entities
incorporated associations
not-for-profit organisations, including community groups that are an incorporated body, cooperative or association
Traditional Owner Corporations, organisations and groups, and Aboriginal owned businesses.
In addition, to be eligible for funding applicants must:
possess an Australian Business Number (ABN)
provide audited financial reports for the past 3 years.
Where an entity is not incorporated, an auspicing arrangement may be considered. The applicant is still required to meet all other eligibility criteria.
Project types eligible for funding
Stream 1 – Small-scale projects: between $100,000 and $1 million (excl. GST) for new small infrastructure or enhancements to existing infrastructure that builds on the current visitor experience.
Stream 2 – Large-scale projects: between $1,000,001 and $5 million (excl. GST) for new infrastructure that supports visitor experience.
Projects must align with one or more of the product priorities outlined in Experience Victoria 2033 (section 1.2).
Examples include:
Stream 1:
Enhancement to a cellar door
Extensions to wildlife sanctuaries
Smaller-scale accommodation options, such as new on-site eco-pods
Development of interpretive garden, parks, cultural works
Stream 2:
Major extensions to a restaurant dining area that increases seating capacity
Extensions and/or redevelopment at a wildlife sanctuary
Development of a new museum or gallery
Construction of new accommodation offerings
Development of a new wellness retreat.
Stream 3:
Revitalisation of existing accommodation offerings to enhance the overall visitor experience and align with modern visitor expectations at an accommodation site.
Examples of this include:
works to uplift and modernise a 2-star motel to 3.5-stars
works to improve amenities at camp/caravan sites
upgrades to lodgings to meet a demonstrated ‘luxury’ market need
works on shared or private spaces that increases accessibility for all user groups.
This may be achieved through a combination of activities such as:
increasing comfort through bedroom and bathroom upgrades
revitalising rooms and shared spaces to create a unique accommodation offering
improvements to multipurpose areas that contribute to a better visitor experience (pools, barbeque spaces, shower amenities, dining rooms etc)
accessibility modifications e.g. modifications to showers and vanities, door widening, installation of hoists, ramps and paths.
Activities must be part of a larger project that increases the appeal of the entire accommodation site.
