Sustainable Hunting Grants

The Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021- 2024 (SHAP 2) is a $5.3 million investment by the Victorian Government to deliver new programs supporting safe, responsible and sustainable hunting across the state.

This vision of SHAP 2 is realised through the delivery of clear and measurable actions that align with the three objectives of:

• informing and educating hunters
• collaborating and partnering
• monitoring and research

SHAP 2 plans to build on the success of the 2016–2020 plan (SHAP 1) to grow the economic, environmental and social benefits of responsible sustainable and safe hunting in Victoria.

Funding will be available for individual grants of between $10,000 and $80,000.

Applicant organisations must meet the following criteria, as assessed by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (the Department):

• Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN);
• Be one of the following entity types:
  • a company incorporated in Australia
  • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
  • a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
  • an incorporated community-based organisation o an education or research body (including universities) established by statute
  • an incorporated association
  • a Victorian local government body

Eligible applicants must:

• conduct the project activities in Victoria
• participate in future program evaluation activities
• attest to compliance.

If your organisation is NOT an eligible entity type, and does not have an ABN, to be eligible you must arrange for an eligible entity type (or Local Government Authority) satisfactory to the Department to enter into a legal arrangement to manage the grant funds on your behalf. This organisation will be the ‘auspice’ organisation for the application.

More information on ‘auspicing’ can be found under section 8.2 of the program guidelines.

Organisations not eligible for Sustainable Hunting Grants include:

• a Commonwealth department, agency or body
• a State department, agency, entity or other body established under the Public Administration Act 2004 (VIC) or equivalent legislation of another Australian jurisdiction.

The intended outcomes of this program are:

1. Recreational hunters are actively involved in promoting the environmental, economic and social benefits of game hunting
2. Recreational hunters and the wider community have increased understanding of safe & responsible game hunting practices.
3. The habitats for game species are maintained and improved.
4. The scientific evidence base for game species knowledge and understanding is increased.

Projects that are eligible must contribute to the promotion of safe, responsible and sustainable hunting. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:

The key dates for the grant program are as follows:

• Applications opened: 23 May 2022
• Applications closed: 5:00pm, 24 June 2022
• Projects must be completed: By 29 November 2023

Applications will be assessed by a panel. The panel will:

1. Review and score applications individually against the assessment criteria
2. Rank all projects against each other
3. Determine the number of applications that will be recommended subject to funding available
4. Recommend the applications for approval to the Minister for Agriculture

All applicants will be subject to a risk assessment to verify business details lodged with Australian regulators. More information on due diligence assessments can be found in section 5.2 of the program guidelines.

For grant applications of $50,001 or more, the Department will undertake a financial assessment of the Applicant to assess the ability of the Applicant to deliver the proposed project. Outcomes from the financial assessment may be taken into consideration in any decision to recommend and award the grant.

All applications must include a detailed project plan. Some applications may require evidence of financial stability or evidence of auspicing. Further information on these requirements can be in the program guidelines.

The Department will use its best endeavours to notify all applicants in writing via email of the outcome of their application approximately 8-10 weeks from the closing date.

Successful applicants will have 15 calendar days from the date of the Letter of Officer to accept the offer in writing.

Successful applicants will have 60 calendar days from the date of acceptance to execute the Grant Agreement with the department.

Your project must not commence until a grant agreement has been duly executed by both the Department and the successful applicant.

Once the agreement has been executed, the successful applicant will be required to commence the project within the agreed timeframe. More information can be found under 8.1 of the program guidelines.

Projects funded under Sustainable Hunting Grants should be completed by 29 November 2023.

Yes, reporting is critical to the Department in understanding program impact, supporting continuous improvement in program design and delivery, and delivering more effective grant programs to the people of Victoria

Successful applicants will be required to participate in any program monitoring and evaluation activities initiated by the Department. This may include completing surveys throughout the program to measure progress to achieving outcomes, and for up to three years after program completion.

Non-compliance could impact future applications to the Department’s programs.

Information provided by the Applicant during the application process will be used by the Department for the purposes of assessment of applications, program administration and program review. More information can be found under section 10 of the program guidelines.