This grant supports projects on dairy farms that will improve energy efficiency which may reduce energy costs and boost energy productivity. The grants will do this through actions such as the purchase and installation of equipment that improves the energy efficiency or enables own-generation capacity.

The grant is available to eligible primary dairy producers without the need for an On-farm Energy Assessment, and are only available for the following items:

• Solar Photovoltaic systems up to 20kW;
• Variable speed drives on pumps and/or compressors;
• Thermal heat recovery systems;
• LED Lighting upgrades;
• Improving pre-chilling of milk, i.e. ice bank/plate coolers, heat exchangers and evaporative coolers;
• Electronic control valves;
• Heat pumps;
• Pump replacement (not irrigation related);
• Cooling fan replacement;
• Milk vat replacement; and 
• Reasonable installation costs.

The Government will provide a maximum grant of $50,000 (excluding GST). Grants will be provided on a $1 for $1 cash co-contribution basis. Recipients are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project.

Eligibility criteria

• Be a dairy farmer seeking support for items on the list above for the Tier 1 streamlined dairy grants
• Be a business with an ABN 
• Have an eligible dairy farm business located in Victoria
• Spend more than $8,000 per annum (including GST) on energy inclusive of electricity, gas, LPG and diesel (excluding energy for transport)
• Be a legal entity
• Be able to meet the required cash co-contribution (at least $1 for every $1 provided)
• Attest to having obtained all relevant regulatory approvals for the project to commence (where applicable)
• Meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards
• Agree to participate in future program evaluation activity. 

To be Eligible you are Required to

• Own, share or lease a farm business located in the following shires (Wellington, East Gippsland, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Loddon, Campaspe, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Moira, Strathbogie, Benalla, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Indigo, Alpine, Towong, Mildura, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Buloke, Horsham or Northern Grampians).
• Be registered as a primary producer with the ATO and have an ABN and be registered for GST.
• Have a right or interest in the land for the purpose of primary production.
• Contribute more than 51% of his/her labour to the farming enterprise.
• Derive 51% of gross annual income from the farm business OR made a minimum farm related capital investment of $50,000 (excluding land) in the farm business.
• As a guide farm turnover would exceed $50,000 per year under normal business conditions.

Please contact us if you would like further information or for us to complete an application form on your behalf. Please keep in mind this grant will close once all funding has been allocated.