Overview and Objectives
The VAIG is a major competitive grant program of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which is designed to build resilience within the agribusiness, food and beverage value adding industries and reduce WA’s reliance on imported products.
Since 2018, $23.8 million has been awarded by the state for grants to support direct capital investment by value-adding processing and food and beverage businesses. Funding has targeted businesses with growth potential to invest in new projects or expansion opportunities that build competitiveness and sustainability, grow the food and beverage sector, create jobs, and diversify the economy.
As part of the State's broader economic development and recovery post-pandemic, VAIG Round Three aims to strengthen and diversify the WA economy by supporting investments in new manufacturing capability which result in reducing WA’s reliance on imported products, supports business growth, fosters innovation and creates jobs.
What we are looking for
The Program aims to support agriculture, food and beverage businesses to expand, diversify or relocate their value-add processing operations in Western Australia. This can include::
- Investments in new manufacturing capability or processing facilities, new technology or plant modernisation which results in reducing WA's reliance on imported products, supports business growth, fosters innovation and creates jobs;
- Investments that improve sustainability, reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing or processing activities being undertaken or contributes to improvements in broader environmental, social, and governance outcomes;
- Investments that enable expansion or diversification of business operations that relate to value adding to primary production in WA; or
- Businesses looking to relocate operations to, or expand existing operations in, WA.
It will support projects that are located across Western Australia including in regional or Perth metropolitan areas.
What we offer
Round Three has up to $6 million in funding available. Businesses can access support through two different funding streams:
- Feasibility stream
The Feasibility stream provides the opportunity for eligible businesses to receive funding for planning, feasibility and other de-risking activities which a business plans to use to support an investment decision for qualifying capital expenditure and expansion projects relating to food and beverage manufacturing or other forms of value add processing. Projects must align to the stated objectives of the VAIG program and are for projects commencing no earlier than June 2024.
Up to $500,000 will be made available with individual grants of $15,000 to $100,000 available. Recipients must provide a 30% Cash Co-Contribution.
Aboriginal business applicants that do not have a 30% cash contribution towards the project but can demonstrate in-kind and/or a lesser cash leverage may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For further information on the Feasibility stream or to apply, visit Feasibility stream.
- Capital Investment stream
This stream will provide funds to eligible applicants for capital investment projects to expand, diversify or relocate their value adding and processing operations in WA. Projects must align to the stated objectives of the VAIG and be delivered by 28 February 2026.
There will be one funding round with up to $5.5 million available for individual grants of $500,000 to $1,000,000. Recipients must provide at least $1 of cash co-contribution for every $1 of funding (1:1) received.
Aboriginal business applicants that do not have a 50% cash contribution towards the project but can demonstrate in-kind and/or a lesser cash leverage may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For further information on the Capital stream or to apply, visit Capital stream.
To view past Capital Investment stream recipients and view some recent case studies, visit Capital Stream Case Studies.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a grant, your application must be related to relating to food and beverage manufacturing or other forms of value add processing to primary production in WA; and the applicant must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Be a private sector business (including incorporated trustees), public companies, grower cooperatives, or similar organisations that have an ABN, and are registered for GST;
- The project must be located in, or looking to relocate to, regional and/or metropolitan WA;
- Be capable of entering into a legally binding agreement with the WA Government;
- Have the financial capacity to fund the minimum cash contribution;
- Have been in operation for a minimum of twelve months (Feasibility Stream) or two years (Capital Investment Stream) or a similar established track record;
- Projects must also comply with requirements subject to each stream.
Regional and Aboriginal business are encouraged to apply.
Information webinars
Two webinars providing further information on the VAIG Round 3 were recently held. A recording of the session is available here.
More information
For more information, please contact an Agribusiness Food and Trade team member by phoning +61 (0)8 9368 3853 or emailing aftprograms@dpird.wa.gov.au.