Deadline: 21-Jun-2026
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program supports small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the Latrobe City tourism sector to improve accessibility within visitor experiences. Eligible applicants can apply for funding of up to $25,000 for approved accessibility improvement projects. The program is a one-off funding initiative with a total value of $470,000, and funding will close once the allocated funds are fully expended.
Overview
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program supports tourism-related businesses and organisations that want to make visitor experiences more accessible and inclusive.
The program is designed to help tourism providers in Latrobe City improve existing visitor experiences for people with access requirements.
It is a one-off, non-recurrent funding initiative supported by the Victorian Government’s Council Support Package and administered through Council.
Key Focus Areas
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program focuses on improving accessibility in the local tourism sector.
Key focus areas include:
- Improving accessibility in tourism-related services
- Increasing the number of accessible tourism experiences
- Enhancing visitor satisfaction for people with access requirements
- Attracting more visitors with accessibility needs
- Supporting inclusive infrastructure improvements
- Supporting inclusive service improvements
- Strengthening accessible tourism in Latrobe City
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the program is to help tourism providers remove barriers and improve access for visitors with different needs.
The program supports projects that make tourism experiences easier, safer, more inclusive, and more enjoyable for people with access requirements.
It also aims to help local tourism businesses attract a wider range of visitors by improving the accessibility of their services, facilities, and visitor experiences.
Total Program Value
The total program value is $470,000.
Funding will cease once the full allocation has been expended.
Applicants should prepare and submit complete applications as early as possible, as funding is limited and not recurrent.
Grant Amount
Funding of up to $25,000 is available for eligible applicants.
The grant must be used for approved accessibility improvement projects connected to tourism visitor experiences in Latrobe City.
All applicants must make a co-contribution as part of the project requirements.
Co-Contribution Requirement
Applicants are required to contribute to the project cost.
The co-contribution may include eligible in-kind support, where allowed under the program requirements.
Applicants should clearly show:
- Total project cost
- Grant amount requested
- Applicant contribution
- Any eligible in-kind contribution
- Professional quotes for proposed works or services
What the Grant Can Support
The grant can support approved accessibility improvement projects in the tourism sector.
Suitable projects may include:
- Accessibility upgrades to visitor-facing spaces
- Improvements to tourism-related infrastructure
- Adjustments that make services easier to access
- Visitor experience improvements for people with access requirements
- Inclusive design upgrades
- Equipment or facilities that improve access
- Practical changes that enhance visitor satisfaction
- Projects that help attract visitors with accessibility needs
The proposed project should clearly improve an existing tourism experience within Latrobe City.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be small businesses operating within the tourism sector in Latrobe City.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Operate within the tourism sector in Latrobe City
- Employ 20 or fewer full-time equivalent staff, or
- Have an aggregated turnover of less than $1 million
- Hold a valid Australian Business Number
- Be legally registered
- Provide evidence of insurance
- Provide professional quotes
- Provide required council approvals where applicable
- Be free of debt to Council
- Have no outstanding grant acquittals
The program also supports not-for-profit organisations in the tourism sector where they meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
Who is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants are not eligible to apply.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Applicants with outstanding Council debts
- Applicants with outstanding grant acquittals
- Franchisees or subsidiaries of larger companies
- Government bodies
- Educational institutions
- Political organisations
- Current Council employees and related parties
- Organisations not involved in the tourism sector
- Organisations whose activities are considered exclusionary or offensive
Applicants should check their eligibility carefully before preparing a submission.
Why It Matters
Accessible tourism helps more people participate in travel, recreation, culture, events, and visitor experiences.
People with access requirements may include visitors with disability, older visitors, families with prams, people recovering from injury, and others who need safer or more inclusive facilities and services.
By supporting accessibility improvements, the program helps tourism providers improve visitor satisfaction, reach new audiences, and create a more welcoming tourism sector in Latrobe City.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear and practical application that explains the accessibility issue, proposed improvement, project cost, and expected visitor benefit.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they operate in the tourism sector in Latrobe City.
They should also check that they meet the staff or turnover requirement, hold a valid ABN, are legally registered, and have no outstanding Council debts or grant acquittals.
Step 2: Identify the Accessibility Barrier
The application should clearly explain the accessibility issue the project will address.
This may include:
- Physical access barriers
- Visitor service barriers
- Lack of inclusive facilities
- Limited access for people with mobility needs
- Poor visitor comfort for people with access requirements
- Limited ability to welcome visitors with disability or other access needs
Step 3: Describe the Proposed Improvement
Applicants should explain what the project will do and how it will improve accessibility.
The project description should include:
- What will be changed or upgraded
- Where the improvement will take place
- Who will benefit
- How the improvement supports tourism access
- How it will improve visitor satisfaction
Step 4: Prepare a Project Budget
Applicants should provide a realistic budget.
The budget should include:
- Total project cost
- Requested grant amount of up to $25,000
- Applicant co-contribution
- Eligible in-kind support, if applicable
- Professional quotes
- Any required approvals or supporting documents
Step 5: Provide Required Documents
Applicants should prepare all required documents before submission.
These may include:
- ABN details
- Legal registration evidence
- Insurance evidence
- Professional quotes
- Council approvals where applicable
- Evidence that the project is connected to tourism
- Evidence of co-contribution
Step 6: Show Visitor and Business Benefits
The application should explain how the project will benefit visitors and strengthen the tourism experience.
Expected benefits may include:
- Better access for people with accessibility needs
- Improved visitor comfort and safety
- Increased visitor satisfaction
- Increased capacity to welcome more visitors
- Stronger reputation as an inclusive tourism provider
- Improved tourism participation in Latrobe City
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying without being part of the tourism sector
- Submitting an application with outstanding Council debt
- Not providing professional quotes
- Not showing the required co-contribution
- Applying without required approvals
- Proposing a project that does not improve accessibility
- Submitting incomplete insurance or registration evidence
- Applying as a franchisee or subsidiary of a larger company
- Providing a vague project description
- Not explaining how visitors with access requirements will benefit
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be clear, practical, and visitor-focused.
Useful tips include:
- Clearly identify the accessibility barrier.
- Explain how the project improves an existing visitor experience.
- Keep the budget realistic and well supported by quotes.
- Show how the project benefits people with access requirements.
- Include all required documents.
- Confirm that the organisation has no Council debt or outstanding grant acquittals.
- Make sure the project is directly connected to tourism.
- Explain how the improvement may attract more visitors.
- Show how the project supports inclusive tourism in Latrobe City.
- Submit before the program funds are fully expended.
FAQ
1. What is the Accessibility Improvement Grant Program?
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program is a one-off funding initiative that supports tourism providers in Latrobe City to improve accessibility within visitor experiences.
2. How much funding is available?
Eligible applicants can apply for funding of up to $25,000.
3. What is the total program value?
The total program value is $470,000. Funding will cease once the allocated funds are fully expended.
4. Who can apply?
Small businesses operating in the tourism sector in Latrobe City may apply if they employ 20 or fewer full-time equivalent staff or have an aggregated turnover of less than $1 million. Eligible not-for-profit tourism organisations may also be supported where they meet program requirements.
5. Is a co-contribution required?
Yes. All applicants must make a co-contribution. This may include eligible in-kind support as part of the project requirements.
6. What documents are required?
Applicants must provide relevant documents such as a valid Australian Business Number, legal registration evidence, insurance evidence, professional quotes, and required Council approvals where applicable.
7. Who is not eligible?
Applicants with outstanding Council debts, franchisees or subsidiaries of larger companies, government bodies, educational institutions, political organisations, current Council employees and related parties, and organisations not involved in tourism are not eligible.
Conclusion
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program provides targeted support for tourism businesses and eligible organisations in Latrobe City to create more inclusive visitor experiences.
With grants of up to $25,000, the program helps tourism providers improve accessibility, increase visitor satisfaction, and attract more people with access requirements. Strong applications should clearly explain the accessibility need, proposed improvement, tourism benefit, co-contribution, budget, required approvals, and long-term value for inclusive tourism in Latrobe City.
For more information, visit Latrobe City Council.
