The process of applying is as follows:

1. Applicant prepares an application using grant guidelines, application information and forms
2. Applicant submits application
3. Wine Australia checks the application for completeness (all fields completed, supporting documentation attached etc.) and eligability against the grant guidelines
4. Wine Australia advises the Wine Australia CEO on eligability of application and recommended grant amount
5. Wine Australia CEO decides whether the application will be funded
6. Wine Australia advises the applicant of the decision and processes the payment
7. Wine Australia monitors compliance of the applicaitons with thegrant program requirements through annual spot audits.

One grant round will be offered each financial year, for wine sold in the previous financial year.

The following dates are for the fourth round of grants that will be offered for 2023–24 expenditure.

Table 1 Program dates

Applications are to be made in the grant application online portal. The grant application form is also available on the GrantConnect website.

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in the portal and be received by Wine Australia by the specified published deadline. All applications will be registered and acknowledged by email.

Qualitative and quantitative information is also requested as part of the application, please note that this information will not affect the review of the application, rather, its collection allows Wine Australia and the government to evaluate impacts of the program.

If you experience any difficulties in accessing or using the online portal, you can email cellardoorgrants@wineaustralia.com prior to the application closing to request assistance.

Wine Australia may post Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the application process on the Wine Australia website.

When preparing the application, ensure that you have:

1. read and understood the program guidelines
2. met the eligibility criteria
3. used the current application form provided with the correct financial details
4. had an authorised person sign the form
5. attached any required supporting documentation
6. submitted the application by the deadline published on GrantConnect.

Any modifications to the application form – such as rewording or removing questions or sections – will render your application ineligible. Wine Australia will advise applicants if this is identified and offer an opportunity to the applicant to provide a new application without modification to the application form. If you have questions, please read any published FAQs and/or contact Wine Australia directly.

Attachments to the application

The following documents must be included with your application. They can be uploaded as attachments through the online application portal.

(a.) Evidence of a lease agreement, mortgage or certificate of title (with map page included), in the name of the applicant or applicant’s related entity for the physical cellar door from which the transactions for rebatable domestic cellar door sales occurred

(b.) Evidence of the physical cellar door’s liquor licence valid in the relevant financial year of this application

(c.) Completed and signed Statutory Declaration using the template provided on the online application portal.

Late applications

Applications that are not received by the published closing date may not be accepted. Wine Australia may consider the submission of late applications under extenuating circumstances provided an alternative timeframe has been agreed prior to the closing date or the delay is a result of an issue with Wine Australia’s information and communication technology systems. Requests for an extension of time to lodge an application must be made in writing to Wine Australia via cellardoorgrants@wineaustralia.com. Any decision by Wine Australia to accept or not accept a late application will be final.

Corrections

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their application is complete and correct. Wine Australia will not accept responsibility for any misunderstanding arising from the failure by an applicant to comply with the guidelines, or arising from any discrepancies, ambiguities, inconsistencies or errors in an application.

If an applicant discovers any material discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or errors in their application, they must immediately bring it to the attention of Wine Australia in writing via cellardoorgrants@wineaustralia.com. Wine Australia may request clarifying information from an applicant and allow them to remedy any discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or errors in an application. Wine Australia may consider information submitted by an applicant after the closing date for the purpose of resolving any material discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or errors in an application. Wine Australia’s decision will be final and will be made at its absolute discretion.