Deadline: 21-Jun-2026
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program supports small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City to improve accessibility within tourism-related experiences. Eligible applicants may receive funding of up to $3,000 for approved accessibility improvement projects. This one-off program has a total value of $470,000 and does not require applicants to make a co-contribution.
Overview
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program supports tourism businesses and eligible not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City that want to make visitor experiences more accessible and inclusive.
The program is a one-off, non-recurrent funding initiative developed by Council and funded through the Victorian Government’s Council Support Package.
It is designed to help tourism providers improve existing tourism-related services, facilities, and experiences for visitors with access requirements.
Key Focus Areas
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program focuses on inclusive tourism and visitor accessibility.
Key focus areas include:
- Improving accessibility in tourism services
- Increasing the number of accessible tourism experiences
- Enhancing visitor satisfaction for people with access requirements
- Attracting new visitors with accessibility needs
- Supporting inclusive tourism development in Latrobe City
- Improving tourism-related facilities, services, and experiences
- Reducing barriers for visitors with disability or other access needs
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the program is to help tourism providers make practical accessibility improvements that improve the visitor experience.
The program supports small-scale projects that make tourism services more inclusive, welcoming, and easier to use for people with access requirements.
It also helps Latrobe City strengthen its accessible tourism offering and attract a broader range of visitors.
Total Program Value
The total value of the program is $470,000.
Funding will remain available until the allocated funds are fully expended.
Applicants should ensure their applications are complete and submitted while funds are still available.
Grant Amount
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to $3,000.
This funding can be used for eligible accessibility improvement projects connected to tourism-related experiences in Latrobe City.
Co-Contribution Requirement
Applicants are not required to make a co-contribution toward project costs.
This makes the program more accessible for small tourism businesses and eligible not-for-profit organisations that may not have additional funds available.
What the Grant Can Support
The grant can support eligible accessibility improvements that enhance visitor experiences.
Suitable projects may include:
- Small accessibility upgrades to tourism services
- Improvements to visitor-facing spaces
- Accessible signage or wayfinding improvements
- Inclusive visitor information
- Equipment that supports accessible tourism experiences
- Minor infrastructure adjustments
- Service improvements for people with access requirements
- Practical upgrades that improve comfort, safety, or access
- Projects that help attract visitors with accessibility needs
The proposed project should clearly improve accessibility within a tourism-related experience in 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 appropriate insurance
- Submit professional quotations for proposed activities
- Obtain required Council approvals where applicable
- Have no outstanding debts with Latrobe City Council
- Have no outstanding grant acquittals with Latrobe City Council
Eligible not-for-profit organisations may also apply if they meet the program requirements and are directly involved in the tourism sector.
Who is Not Eligible?
Some organisations and entities are not eligible to apply.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Applicants with outstanding Council debts
- Applicants with previous funding compliance issues
- Applicants with outstanding grant acquittals
- Franchisees
- Subsidiaries of larger companies
- Unincorporated associations
- Government bodies
- Educational institutions
- Political organisations
- Current Council employees and related parties
- Entities whose activities exclude or offend parts of the community
- Businesses not directly involved in the tourism sector
Applicants should confirm eligibility before preparing a submission.
Why It Matters
Accessible tourism helps more people enjoy visitor experiences with dignity, comfort, and independence.
People with access requirements may include people with disability, older visitors, families with prams, people with temporary injuries, and visitors who need clearer information, safer movement, or inclusive service support.
By funding accessibility improvements, the program helps tourism providers improve visitor satisfaction, expand their customer base, and contribute to a more inclusive tourism sector in Latrobe City.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the accessibility need, proposed improvement, tourism benefit, and project cost.
Step 1: Confirm Tourism Sector Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that their business or organisation is directly involved in the tourism sector in Latrobe City.
They should also check that they meet the small business size requirement based on staff numbers or turnover.
Step 2: Identify the Accessibility Barrier
The application should clearly describe the accessibility issue the project will address.
Examples may include:
- Difficult physical access
- Lack of accessible visitor information
- Poor wayfinding
- Limited support for visitors with mobility needs
- Barriers affecting people with disability
- Visitor comfort or safety issues
- Service gaps for people with access requirements
Step 3: Describe the Proposed Improvement
Applicants should clearly explain what will be improved.
The description should include:
- What the project will deliver
- Where the improvement will take place
- How it will improve accessibility
- Who will benefit
- How it will enhance the visitor experience
- Why the project is suitable for tourism-related access
Step 4: Prepare a Budget
Applicants should prepare a clear project budget for up to $3,000.
The budget should be supported by professional quotations and should show that the requested funding is reasonable and directly linked to the accessibility improvement.
Step 5: Collect Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the required supporting documents.
These may include:
- Valid Australian Business Number
- Legal registration evidence
- Insurance evidence
- Professional quotations
- Required Council approvals, where applicable
- Evidence that the project relates to tourism
- Any other documents requested under the program guidelines
Step 6: Show Visitor Benefits
The application should explain how the project will improve the experience of visitors with access requirements.
Expected benefits may include:
- Easier access to tourism experiences
- Better visitor comfort
- Improved safety
- Increased visitor satisfaction
- More inclusive tourism services
- Ability to attract new visitors with accessibility needs
- Stronger reputation as an accessible tourism provider
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying without being directly involved in the tourism sector
- Submitting an application with outstanding Council debt
- Not providing professional quotations
- Applying as an ineligible franchisee or subsidiary
- Applying as an unincorporated association
- Not providing evidence of insurance
- Not obtaining required Council approvals
- Proposing a project that does not improve accessibility
- Providing a vague project description
- Not explaining how visitors with access requirements will benefit
- Assuming a co-contribution is required when this stream does not require one
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 a tourism-related experience.
- Keep the project realistic within the $3,000 funding limit.
- Provide professional quotations for proposed activities.
- Show how the improvement benefits visitors with access requirements.
- Confirm that the business has no outstanding Council debts or acquittals.
- Include all required supporting documents.
- Make sure the project is directly linked to tourism in Latrobe City.
- Explain how the project may help attract new visitors.
- Submit while program funds are still available.
FAQ
1. What is the Accessibility Improvement Grant Program?
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program is a one-off funding initiative that supports small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in Latrobe City to improve accessibility within tourism-related experiences.
2. How much funding is available?
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to $3,000.
3. What is the total program value?
The total value of the program is $470,000. Funding will remain available until the allocated funds are fully expended.
4. Is a co-contribution required?
No. Unlike the major grant stream, this funding stream does not require applicants to make a co-contribution.
5. Who can apply?
Small businesses operating within 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 organisations in the tourism sector may also apply if they meet the program requirements.
6. What documents are required?
Applicants must provide a valid Australian Business Number, legal registration evidence, appropriate insurance evidence, professional quotations, and required Council approvals where applicable.
7. Who is not eligible?
Ineligible applicants include those with outstanding Council debts, franchisees, subsidiaries of larger companies, unincorporated associations, government bodies, educational institutions, political organisations, current Council employees and related parties, and businesses not directly involved in tourism.
Conclusion
The Accessibility Improvement Grant Program provides practical support for tourism providers in Latrobe City to make visitor experiences more accessible and inclusive.
With funding of up to $3,000 and no co-contribution requirement, the program helps small businesses and eligible not-for-profit organisations undertake targeted accessibility improvements. Strong applications should clearly explain the accessibility barrier, proposed improvement, visitor benefit, tourism connection, required documentation, and readiness to complete the project while funds remain available.
For more information, visit Latrobe City Council.