The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is undertaking consultation on the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program.
It is regular practice for all government programs to be reviewed, and the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program is now in its fifth year so the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is consulting on whether the grant is still fit for purpose or if it can be improved. This is an opportunity for sector to provide input into how this grant might look going forward.
For context, the program first opened in July 2019, and along with the $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package was meant to offset some of the impact of the 2018 reduction of the WET rebate cap from $500,000 to $350,000. Wineries with rebatable sales below $1,207,000 did not suffer any reduction in their WET rebate and were therefore deemed ineligible for the grant.
The program provides $10 million each financial year for wine and cider producers to apply for grants of up to $100,000 on eligible cellar door sales, with the objective of encouraging visitors to wine regions.
Please visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Have Your Say webpage to read the discussion paper, and complete the survey (preferred) or make a written submission.
Submissions close AEDT 5pm, 30 October 2023.
