Regional Worker Accommodation Fund

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund aims to increase prosperity, opportunity, and liveability for regional communities. The fund will invest in housing, accommodation and related infrastructure that increases the supply of appropriate and affordable housing and accommodation for key workers and their families.

The desired outcomes for the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund are:

• a net increase in appropriate and affordable regional housing and accommodation for key workers and their families
• regional businesses and services are better able to meet their immediate and future staffing needs
• regional communities have improved access to services through attraction and retention of workers in sectors critical to their location
• a thriving, healthy and sustainable workforce, through safe, well-designed and environmentally sustainable projects that are integrated with their community that benefits the location.

Applicants may apply for grants between $150,000 and $5,000,000 (ex GST) per project.

Co-contribution requirements

There is no minimum co-contribution requirement. However, all applicants are encouraged to contribute towards the total project budget of eligible activities and expenses for key worker housing.

Project proposals able to demonstrate financial contributions towards eligible activities and expenses will be considered favourably during assessment. Additionally, all applicants must confirm their maximum level of contribution towards eligible activities and expenses.

What will be funded

Funding will be provided for housing, accommodation and related infrastructure that increases the supply of appropriate and affordable housing and accommodation for key workers and their families. The projects must support job security, economic growth, and improved access to services across rural and regional Victoria.

Applicants will be asked to describe a proposed project that delivers a net increase of housing and accommodation for key workers, and provide evidence that it is needed in that location.

Funding will only be provided to support projects that would not have been delivered without government intervention.

Projects must:

• Provide housing or accommodation for key workers and their families in regional locations.
• Deliver a net gain or increase in appropriate housing or accommodation in that location for key workers and their families.
• Provide affordable housing or accommodation for key workers and their families for a minimum of 5 years following completion of construction.
• Provide housing or accommodation that will be available for key workers and their families at least 70% of the time throughout the annual period of demand.
• Show a direct benefit to the location and its community through alignment with the Fund objectives (Section 1.2 of Program Guidelines) and outcomes (Section 1.3 of Program Guidelines).

Projects may also show alignment with current and relevant government (local, regional, state, or federal) economic and placed-based plans or strategies.

Further information on eligible projects, funding and the application and outcome process are outlined in the Program Guidelines.

Round 2 is open for application from 10am Monday 18 November 2024 and closes at 4pm Friday 31 January 2025.

Potential applicants are encouraged to consider their ability to meet the program requirements and how they will perform against the assessment criteria before developing an application.

You must first discuss the proposed project with your local RDV Business Centre. The department will provide you with feedback on the project’s suitability for funding under the program and will also provide you with a link to the online application form.

The Program Guidelines provide further details about preparing an application.

Accessible versions of some documents may not be available. Please contact rdv@rdv.vic.gov.au if you require an alternative format.

*CiC = Commercial in Confidence