First Peoples Tourism Growth Program VIC

Purpose and Program Overview

The Victorian First Peoples Tourism Growth Program is a competitive initiative. It supports First Peoples-owned and operated businesses, Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner Corporations, and Registered Aboriginal Parties. These entities must be engaged in the tourism sector across Victoria. The program’s primary goal is to empower First Peoples within the visitor economy. It does this by enhancing business capacity, supporting workforce development, promoting cultural heritage stewardship, and encouraging industry excellence and planning. This program is distinct from the First Peoples Tourism Industry Strengthening Program, which targets Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) with higher grant amounts (up to $300,000) and different application processes.

With a total funding pool of approximately $10 million, the program provides grants of up to $125,000 (exclusive of GST). These grants help First Peoples-led tourism businesses expand and develop new tourism products and services. This contributes to Victoria’s broader Aboriginal Economic Development Fund. It also aligns with state strategies. These strategies promote First Peoples’ culture, knowledge, and self-determination through sustainable tourism. The program builds on the “Experience Victoria 2033” strategic plan, which highlights First Peoples-led experiences as a key priority.

The program supports the protection and promotion of Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP). It also fosters fair partnerships. These partnerships drive economic growth and strengthen community wellbeing. It plays a vital role in increasing Victoria’s attractiveness as a destination for culturally authentic and respectful First Peoples tourism experiences.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $125,000 (exclusive of GST) per grant.
• Application open: Expressions of Interest (EOIs) opened on 11 July 2025.
• Application close: EOIs close on 8 August 2025 at 5 PM (AEST). An invitation to apply for full grants follows a competitive assessment of EOIs. The invited applications are expected to open in November 2025 and close in December 2025.
• Eligible entities: Victorian First Peoples-owned and operated tourism businesses, Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner Corporations, and Registered Aboriginal Parties.
• Co-contributions: Not mandatory. However, if the total project cost exceeds the grant request, applicants must show how the additional amount will be funded.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Victoria only. Projects must be located in regional Victoria.

Priority Sectors

First Peoples Tourism Growth Program targets First Peoples tourism businesses explicitly across a broad visitor economy spectrum. It covers four funding streams:

• Workforce development: Initiatives for accredited and non-accredited training for owners and staff, tourism skills training, and relevant memberships/certifications (e.g., Quality Tourism Framework, Ecotourism).
• Industry excellence and planning: Support for tourism product development, growth, strategic planning, and progressing investment readiness (e.g., concept design for cultural centres, business case development).
• Cultural heritage stewardship projects: Activities like documentation, digitisation, and preservation of traditional knowledge, songs, dances, and ceremonies. This also includes legal costs for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) strategies, placemaking, and cultural mentorship programs linked to tourism.
• Moderate asset or equipment investment: Purchasing or leasing tourism-specific assets for new or existing tourism products (e.g., vehicles, watercraft, outdoor equipment).

Funding Scope

• Grant range: Up to $125,000 exclusive of GST per grant.
• Funding categories: As listed under “Priority Sectors” (Workforce Development, Industry Excellence and Planning, Cultural Heritage Stewardship, Moderate Asset or Equipment Investment).
• Project timeline: Funding is to be spent over a maximum of 12 months from the grant commencement date. Project delivery is expected from April 2026 to April 2027. No project expenditure can start before a formal grant agreement is signed.

Grant Amount in Total

Approximately $10 million in total funding is allocated under this program. This forms part of a broader Aboriginal Economic Development Fund by the Victorian Government.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be a Victorian Aboriginal-owned and operated business or entity (minimum 51% Aboriginal ownership and control).
• Be a Traditional Owner, Traditional Owner Corporation, or Registered Aboriginal Party.
• Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be registered for GST.
• Be registered with the appropriate regulator (e.g., ASIC, ACNC).
• Operate within the Victorian visitor economy or plan to enter the sector.
• Comply with relevant child safety requirements.
• Provide proof of Aboriginal ownership (e.g., membership with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce or Supply Nation, or a letter of support from a recognised Aboriginal-led organisation).
• The proposed project must be located in regional Victoria.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program funds activities and expenses directly related to the four funding streams.

• Training and upskilling of staff in tourism operations and cultural knowledge.
• Business development and strategic planning to enhance tourism offerings.
• Projects preserving and promoting Indigenous cultural heritage relevant to tourism, including digitisation and recording.
• Purchase or leasing of moderate-level assets or equipment supporting tourism products.
• Community engagement and partnership development activities related to tourism growth.

Ineligible costs include:

• General operational costs or non-project wages.
• Retrospective project costs (incurred before the grant agreement).
• Ongoing expenses beyond project completion.
• Costs associated with preparing the grant application.
• Previously funded activities (unless new outcomes are clearly demonstrated).

Assessment Process

The First Peoples Tourism Growth Program is a competitive grant application process. It involves an EOI stage followed by an invited complete application.

EOI Assessment Criteria:

• Opportunity (20%): Alignment with community and cultural development goals.
• Solution (20%): Clarity of the proposed activity.
• Market Analysis (20%): Understanding of the competitive landscape.
• Business Model (20%): Viability and income generation potential.
• Team (10%): Roles and qualifications of team members.
• Investment Ask (10%): Clarity and justification of the funding request.

Full Application Assessment Criteria (if invited):

• Business Model (35%): Ongoing sustainability and revenue generation. Market size, trends, SWOT analysis.
• Planning and Delivery Capability (35%): Project readiness, implementation plan, team roles, and project management structure.
• Alignment with Program Objectives (30%): How the project contributes to program goals.

EOI assessments are expected from August to October 2025, with results by late October 2025.

Recent Program Updates

The program was announced in July 2025 as part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million Aboriginal Economic Development Fund. EOIs are currently accepted, with the next closing date on 8 August 2025. The program reinforces Victoria’s commitment to First Peoples’ self-determination and Treaty progress through tourism development. It supports government efforts to expand Victoria’s authentic First Peoples tourism experiences, aligning with the “Yuma Yirramboi” Strategy.

Application Tips

• Verify your eligibility as a First Peoples-owned and operated business within Victoria’s tourism sector.
• Prepare clear, culturally respectful project proposals. Ensure they align with the program’s four priority streams.
• Address how the project enhances cultural heritage, workforce capacity, or tourism excellence. Provide a strong “concept pitch” in your EOI.
• Include well-documented budgets and realistic timelines. Ensure consistency with up to 12 months of funding.
• Submit your Expression of Interest early, before the 8 August 2025 closing date, to ensure consideration.
• Engage with program officers or grant specialists for advice and application support. This can strengthen your EOI and subsequent complete application.
• Be ready to provide audited financial reports if your requested grant exceeds $50,000.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We offer eligibility assessments and application guidance tailored to First Peoples tourism businesses. For official resources, visit the Business Victoria website and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) websites.