The Australian Government has opened applications for the final round of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants Program.

The $10 million round provides grants of up to $100,000 to eligible wine and cider producers to upgrade cellar door facilities, expand tourism experiences, build workforce capability and grow their businesses.

The grant round is in addition to the ongoing, permanent relief the Australian Government is providing to eligible wine producers through the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) rebate. The WET rebate cap has been permanently increased from $350,000 to $400,000 from 1 July 2026, providing eligible wine producers with up to an additional $50,000 each year.

It was announced in the last Federal Budget that the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program is being phased out.  Originally it was a three-year program, but it has been reduced to two years.

Australian Wine & Grape chief executive Lee McLean said in May: “At the worst possible time, this government has chosen to withdraw a program that directly supports regional businesses.

“For many producers, this is essential to maintaining cashflow and profitability. Ending it now effectively pulls the rug out from under businesses already facing enormous pressure.

“This budget is a bitterly disappointing outcome for an industry under significant and sustained strain.”

Since coming to office, the Australian Government said it had delivered over $105 million in funding to support the grape and wine sector, acknowledging how critical the industry is to Australia.

The Australian Government’s support initiatives for the wine and grape industry include:

• Funding of $4.9 million for Wine Australia to roll out and extend the Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package
• The $30 million extension in September 2025 of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program for three years
• • Introducing a new mandatory code of conduct for wine-grape purchases in response to Dr Craig Emerson’s Report on regulatory options for the sector
• Australian Grape and Wine’s participation in Austrade’s $55 million Accessing New Markets Initiative to help the sector diversify into new and emerging markets.

Australia’s grape growing, winemaking and wine tourism industries contribute $51.3 billion to the national economy annually. For more information about the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants Program, visit the Wine Australia website.