Agriculture Victoria – Timber and Fibre Innovation Fund

This program supports the Victorian timber and plant fibre industries to invest in innovation, advanced manufacturing, alternative fibres and new market opportunities that strengthen the long-term outlook of the sector.

Eligible activities include projects that:

• Make operations smarter and more innovative: Support new ways to make forestry, plantations, plant fibre, and businesses who utilise timber and fibre more innovative and/or efficient.
• Create or improve products and processes: Design, develop or implement new products, processes or technologies that deliver innovation/efficiency.
• Upgrade equipment for innovation: Purchase/upgrade machinery to support innovative processes, boost efficiency, or access/create new markets.
• Develop new products from alternative fibres: Invest in products/fibre sources such as hemp or bamboo to grow, innovate or diversify.
• Test and commercialise new ideas: Validate innovative solutions such as tree breeding, bioenergy and genetics toward practical, market ready outcomes.

Grants of between $50,000 and $1 million are available.Funding is available on a 1:1 cash co-contribution basis.

Applications for grants under $50,000 or over $1 million, excluding GST, may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications above $1 million must demonstrate significant innovation, compelling outcomes, increased employment and matching funding.

To be eligible, applicants must be either:

• A business or organisation in the forestry, plantation, agroforestry or plant fibre sector (including manufacturers in those industries) operating in Victoria, or 
• A business that is a significant user of timber or plant fibre.

Applicants must also:

• Have an ABN
• Be, or expect to be, conducting business operations in Victoria
• Meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009
• Be WorkSafe compliant
• Agree to abide by the Buying for Victoria Supplier Code of Conduct.

Applications close 31 August 2026.