Strategies and initiatives

Yuma Yirramboi Strategy (Invest in Tomorrow)

This strategy aims to achieve equality and foster economic empowerment among Aboriginal Victorians within a generation. It sets high expectations and is built on strong and enduring partnerships with all Victorians.

Aboriginal Victorians have worked with the government to develop the strategy. They will guide and inform the rollout of the strategy and monitor its progress.

For more information, read the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

Creative State 2028 is the Victorian Government's strategy to strengthen and grow the state's creative industries and the economic, social and cultural value they bring to Victorians.

VICSCREEN, the Victorian Government’s first screen strategy in more than 10 years, is a transformational, whole-of-government plan to invigorate Victoria’s screen industry, create jobs, foster new talent and generate significant economic returns.

Employment initiatives

Work and Learning Centres help jobseekers, especially those living in or waiting for public and social housing, to find local training, work experience and jobs. They’re in Fitzroy, North Geelong, Gippsland, Ballarat and Shepparton.

Thrive Hubs help people who are looking for work or to retrain. Their local connections can help people to get into a job or training program. They're in Broadmeadows and Frankston.

The Digital Jobs program provides construction and advanced manufacturing businesses with access to free training. This aims to upskill leaders and workers with digital skills critical for innovation and technology adoption.

The Youth Employment Scheme provides young people with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training.

The Parkville College Pilot Program is helping young people leaving youth justice to find jobs. Employment Pathway Coordinators at Parkville College help connect students to employment and training services based on the student’s skills, interests and needs.

Social and microenterprises

The Victorian Government’s Social Enterprise Strategy aims to improve and expand Victoria’s social enterprise sector. The strategy is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to create more inclusive jobs and deliver enhanced economic and social value to the Victorian community.

Business Victoria services

Business Victoria offers a range of tools, grants, programs and support services for Victorian businesses to operate and build business capability, including:

The Small Business Support Toolkits Program offers localised workshops, live webinars, one-on-one confidential business advice and self-guided learning opportunities for established and emerging business owners.

The Small Business Bus travels around metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, helping small businesses develop ideas and capabilities. It offers resources and support through various government organisations as well as business assistance from expert advisers.

Partnering with business associations, local councils and other organisations to connect and grow multicultural businesses across Victoria.

Workplace wellbeing providing mental health and business wellbeing support for sole traders, small businesses and employees.

Economic Growth Statement

Read the Statement that outlines the 40-plus initiatives that will make it easier, simpler and faster to do business in Victoria by opening doors, cutting red tape, building new skills and reaching every community.

Find out more about the Economic Growth Statement.

Innovation statement

We have a globally competitive research and innovation ecosystem and the Innovation Statement is a plan that will shape our future, keep our state at the forefront of innovation and create jobs now and for years to come.

Victorian Industry Policy

Read the Victorian Government’s framework to drive industry competitiveness, productivity and economic resilience for Victoria.

Find out more about the Victorian Industry Policy.

Advanced manufacturing

Find out how we support manufacturers through strategies, programs, and initiatives, what our state's strengths are and where you can find local manufacturers. Learn more on advanced manufacturing in Victoria.

Breakthrough Victoria

Breakthrough Victoria invests in the commercialisation of intellectual property and research, backing bold founders and visionary fund managers to help transform the Victorian economy.

Submit your pitch and read more at Breakthrough Victoria.

Cremorne Digital Hub

The Cremorne Digital Hub (CDH) is a flagship initiative connecting industry, education, investors, and government to grow Victoria’s digital tech sector. It is helping build advanced digital skills, supporting startups, promoting Victoria’s capabilities, and strengthening talent and investment pathways.

Find out more about the Cremorne Digital Hub.

Defence, aviation and aerospace

Victoria’s defence, aviation and aerospace sector supports exports of $1.7 billion, employs 29,000 people, and delivers $4.9 billion in Gross Value Added benefits across Victoria’s supply chain.

Health technologies

Our health technologies sector is a global leader in research and manufacturing. The sector exports $3.8 billion in health products (including more than 58 per cent of Australia’s pharmaceutical exports) and employs more than 50,000 people.

Global Talent Attraction

Victoria’s Skilled Migration Program helps address workforce needs by attracting highly skilled global talent through state-nominated visas.

The program targets priority occupations that are difficult to fill locally, supporting productivity and economic growth and strengthening Victoria’s long term skills pipeline.

The program also attracts exceptionally talented researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, sports professionals and creative practitioners through the National Innovation Visa (NIV), ensuring Victoria continues to benefit from world class expertise and innovation.

LaunchVic

LaunchVic builds the capability and confidence of Victorians to create, scale and invest in startups.

Local Jobs First

The Victorian Government is the largest procurer of goods, services and construction works in the state, and through Local Jobs First uses its purchasing power to help develop local industries, create jobs and boost economic activity across Victoria.

Medical Research

Victoria is a world leader in cutting-edge health and medical research – driving growth in the sector, creating jobs and supporting incredible breakthroughs in treatment and care. Key investments and initiatives include the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease, Children’s Cancer CoLab and COVID-19 research.

Victoria’s Health and Medical Research Strategy: 2022–2032 provides a framework for Victorian activity and investment in health and medical research over the next ten years across four focus areas – Talent, Collaboration, Big Ideas and Generating Outcomes.

mRNA

Established in May 2021, mRNA Victoria is a Victorian Government agency responsible for building a leading mRNA and RNA industry in the Asia Pacific region. Through strategic investments and partnerships, we position Victoria at the forefront of mRNA innovation and advance the next generation of RNA-based therapies.

mRNA Victoria partners with universities, research institutes and industry across the globe to accelerate mRNA research and manufacturing, building Victoria's position as the premier destination for mRNA research, manufacturing, clinical trials, and workforce training in the Asia-Pacific region.

Victoria is home to 22 globally recognised medical research institutes. mRNA Victoria is focused on supporting the development of IP in key areas of need. This will help develop a strong pipeline of RNA research candidates and an ecosystem to support manufacturing.

Go Fishing Victoria

The Victorian Fisheries Authority is improving fishing opportunities across the state through the government’s Go Fishing Victoria Plan. This has involved record fish stocking, improved facilities and more fish cleaning tables, installation of artificial reefs and removing commercial netting from Port Phillip and the Gippsland Lakes to boost fishing opportunities and much more.

Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy

The development of the strategy was led by the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations in collaboration with Traditional Owners and Victorian Government agencies. To read the strategy, visit: Game Hunting.

Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy

Better Boating Victoria developed the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy to outline the infrastructure priorities throughout the state until 2030.The strategy was developed in consultation with boaters, industry and Ministerial Roundtable. The strategy is underpinned by annual Action Plans which guide the allocation of each year’s Better Boating Fund into programs and projects to improve recreational boating for all Victorians.

Regional Economic Development Strategies

Victoria's Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) identify strategic directions to further drive growth and prosperity in regional Victoria. The REDS represent a new direction in Victoria’s regional economic development, recognising that each of region has unique strengths, challenges and opportunities.

The REDS provide a consistent evidence-based framework for each of Victoria's nine Regional Partnership regions.

They are complemented by nine interactive data dashboards, allowing stakeholders to interact with the data, conduct analysis and draw new insights.

Investments

Tiny Towns

The Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities of up to 5,000 people to deliver quality tourism and community facilities, such as splash parks and bike trails, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art projects and more.

Regional Council Support Package

The Council Support Package supports local councils across all our regions to invest in projects that will create long-lasting value for their communities.

Regional Worker Accommodation Fund

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund provides new housing and accommodation for regional communities where workers in key industries and their families are struggling to find places to live. The fund supports employers to attract and retain workers by supporting projects that create more affordable housing and accommodation.

Geelong City Deal

The Geelong City Deal brings together all three levels of government with industry, the higher education sector and the community to support Geelong and the Great Ocean Road’s continued economic growth through a range of projects.

Regional Partnerships

There are 9 Regional Partnerships that give regional communities greater say about what matters to them and ensure their voices reach the heart of government. Partnerships help to increase collaboration between communities, industry, businesses and government to address the most important challenges and opportunities in each region.

Regional Development Australia

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between the Australian, state and territory and local governments to support the growth and development of Australia's regions.

There are 6 RDA committees in Victoria covering all parts of the state, consisting of Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Melbourne.

Active Victoria – A strategic framework for sport and recreation in Victoria 2022-2026

Active Victoria is our plan to strengthen the sport and recreation sector and boost participation. This blueprint will also guide future grant opportunities, initiatives and partnerships.

Change Our Game

The Victorian Government is committed to increasing the number of women and girls participating in sport and active recreation, from grassroots through to leadership roles.

The Change Our Game initiative also aims to deliver on the nine recommendations outlined in the Inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation.

Fair Play Code

The Fair Play Code sends a loud and clear message – that bad behaviour, violence, cheating and intimidation has no place in sport and recreation in our state.

Through the Fair Play Code we are making sure that individuals, clubs, leagues and associations know what to do if they encounter bad behaviour both on and off the sporting field.

Experience Victoria 2033 is a strategic plan that aims to shape the future of Victoria’s visitor economy over the next 10 years.

Read more about Experience Victoria 2033 and our strategies for the tourism industry.

Access Program

The Access Program offers export-related assistance and in-country expertise to Victorian exporters visiting overseas markets.

It aims to help Victorian exporters to forge new relationships with global partners, market their product or service more effectively and set up operations internationally.

Global Victoria Women

Global Victoria Women (GVw) aims to increase the number and diversity of women in Victoria participating in international business. GVw leverages our team's expertise and the VGTI network to build women's international connections, strengthen their export capabilities, grow their organisations, and celebrate their achievements.