Applications Project 2: Sustainability Certification Support Voucher Building Climate Resilience through Accelerated Certification

Project 2a: Sustainability Vouchers
Project 2a is a Sustainability Certification Support Voucher program that addresses the financial barrier by providing $1,500 towards your certification journey – whether you’re taking the first step, maintaining existing certification, or implementing sustainability improvements. The investment in certification delivers tangible returns: enhanced market access, premium positioning, operational cost savings through resource efficiency, and future-proofing your business against evolving regulatory and consumer expectations.

APPLY HERE

You’ll join a growing network of certified WA wine producers, gaining access to peer support, regional benchmarking data, and recognition as a sustainability leader. With certification increasingly determining which wines make it onto shelves and export containers, this program ensures WA producers can compete on credentials as well as quality.

Purpose
This voucher program provides $1,500 financial support to assist WA wine businesses and grapegrowers achieve or maintain internationally recognised sustainability certification. The program supports businesses at three critical stages:

  • First-time certification: Supporting businesses undertaking their initial sustainability audit
  • Certification maintenance: Supporting ongoing audit requirements to retain certification
  • Action plan implementation: Supporting on-ground projects that advance certification requirements

What Participants Receive

  • $1,500 voucher towards certification audit costs or sustainability improvement projects
  • Access to regional certification workshops and training sessions
  • Connection to peer mentoring networks with certified producers
  • Regional benchmarking data for sustainability performance comparison
  • Recognition as sustainability leaders in regional and state-wide communications
    Enhanced market access through verified sustainability credentials

Three Priority Eligibility Criteria
The voucher program operates across three priority areas to support businesses at different stages of their sustainability journey:

General Eligibility Criteria

  • Current financial member of Wines of Western Australia (APC Fee For Service) or grapegrower supplying to a current financial member of WoWA
  • One voucher per business (across all three priority areas)
  • Wine business operating within Western Australian wine regions
  • Commitment to participate in regional knowledge-sharing activities and workshops
  • Willingness to contribute to program evaluation and case study development
  • Businesses completing an audit after 1 November 2025 are eligible to apply.
  • Vouchers are available until fully subscribed.

Priority 1: First Audit for Sustainability Certification

  • For wine businesses and grapegrowers undertaking their FIRST audit to achieve internationally recognised sustainability certification
  • Eligible programs include Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (Freshcare AWISSP) or other internationally recognised wine sustainability certification programs
  • Requirement: Audit must be booked with confirmed date
  • Payment: Voucher provided upon receipt of invoice for completed successful audit

Priority 2: Subsequent Audit for Certification Retention

  • For wine businesses completing a subsequent audit to maintain or retain existing sustainability certification
  • Requirement: Current certification status with scheduled renewal audit
  • Payment: Voucher provided upon receipt of invoice for completed successful audit

Priority 3: Sustainability Action Plan Implementation, available from January 2027

  • For projects implementing sustainability improvements to meet certification requirements
  • Examples: Energy efficiency upgrades, water management systems, biodiversity enhancements, waste reduction infrastructure
  • Requirements:
    – Detailed project description and quotes from suppliers/contractors
    – Clear link to sustainability certification requirements or action plan
    – Voucher limited to maximum 50% of total project cost (up to $1,500)
  • Payment: Voucher provided upon receipt of invoice for completed works
  • Contribute to program evaluation and case study development

Selection Criteria

Applications will be prioritised based on:

  • Readiness to proceed (confirmed audit booking or project quotes)
  • Contribution to regional certification adoption targets
  • Demonstration value for peer businesses in the region
  • Regional balance across WA wine regions
  • First-time applicants (Priority 1) will be prioritised to maximise new certification adoption

For more information contact:
Eloise Jarvis
Sustainability Program Manager
Wines of Western Australia
πŸ“§ [email protected]
πŸ“ž 0447 587 151

Closing Date: 31 March 2028, or until all funds have been subscribed.

Note: Vouchers are subject to funding availability. Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis with priority given to first-time certification applicants.
Submit your completed EOI via Google Forms:

APPLY HERE

Applications for EOIs CLOSE 31 March 2028

This project is proudly supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust

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