Women in Energy and Manufacturing Funding Program – Australia

Funding Objectives

The program objectives are to increase the participation and equity of Victorian women in the energy and manufacturing sectors by supporting:

• clear and attractive career pathways
• access to education and training
• economic equity and leadership opportunities
• accountability for workplace culture, diversity and wellbeing.

Priority Considerations

• Priority will be given to applications that focus on one or more of the following:
  • Projects that support retention and ability to thrive in the energy and manufacturing sectors. This includes addressing more long-term and structural barriers to their participation.
  • Supporting women who may face compounding barriers due to other forms of disadvantage or discrimination, such as First Nations women, older women, multicultural women, LGBTIQA+ women, women with a disability and single mothers. This may include:
    • identifying relevant transferable skills
    • supporting pathways to manufacturing and energy sector jobs
    • addressing ageism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism in workplaces.
  • Initiatives addressing barriers to participation and pay.
  • Encouraging cultural, attitudinal, behavioural and structural change to advance gender equality.
  • Majority-men roles: Supporting women into majority-men roles within these industries, such as:
    • STEM
    • trades
    • technical
    • leadership.
  • Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): Activities that support and advance gender equality in small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Regional and rural areas: Activities in regional locations. For the energy sector, priority goes to renewable energy sector projects in identified growth areas, such as:
    • Gippsland
    • Central North
    • Murray River

Available Funding

• The total funding available for this program is $1.320 million.
• The program aims to support an even distribution of initiatives per industry. Some initiatives may support women in both the energy and manufacturing industries. Delivery needs to align with the timeframe of the strategies.
• All approved projects must be completed, and funds spent by 30 April 2025. Please note that the pool of funding available for the program is limited.
• They recommend applicants consider scoping initiatives of no more than $200,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Organisations can apply for a grant if they meet the eligibility criteria:
  • You must be either:
    • an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or equivalent law.
    • a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
  • You must have:
    • a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
    • at least $10 million in public liability insurance to cover all aspects of funded activity for the term of the funding agreement – or an auspice arrangement with this insurance cover
    • no outstanding final reports from other departmental grants.

Who cannot apply for a grant?

Organisations that are not eligible to apply are:

• state and federal government departments and agencies.
• local government authorities (LGAs) including LGA-managed, operated, administered and regulated trusts.
• applicants with overdue or outstanding final reports from previous or current departmental grants.
• applicants based outside Victoria.

For more information, visit State Government of Victoria.