Advancing Antimony Grants program guidelines

Program overview

Advancing Antimony Grants is a Victorian Government program. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) delivers it through Resources Victoria.

The program supports early-stage industry development of downstream antimony processing in Victoria. It aligns with ‘Theme 3: Critical minerals production and processing in Victoria’ under the Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap.

With the third largest antimony deposits in the Western world, Victoria is well placed to support global supply chains.

Grants help projects define pathways and build strong, evidence-based business cases. The aim is to support the development of downstream antimony processing facilities that will strengthen Victoria’s sovereign processing capability, contribute to national critical minerals supply chains and generate economic value.

Funding available

Grants provide access to a share of a AU$1,000,000 funding pool, allocated through a competitive, merit-based process. Funding may be awarded in full or in part.

Applicants may include additional financial or in-kind contributions to strengthen their application. These contributions are optional. However, they can improve the competitiveness of the application where they materially improve the project’s scale, timing, feasibility or value for money.

Applicants should outline financial and/or in-kind co-contributions to the project separately.

What is funded

The program funds business-case or related studies and activities related to an antimony processing facility in Victoria. It focuses on the work needed before investment decisions are made.

Eligible activities may include:

• specialist industry studies
• targeted feasibility studies
• technical assessments, engineering studies and processing concepts
• market engagement (e.g. commercial/industry consultation, or offtake, supply chain or customer engagement activities)
• flowsheet design
• specialist commercial cost estimation methodology and risk assessment
• independent checks of flexibility and onsite generation capability to deliver reliable, scalable demand response services, including operational characteristics, duration and modulation potential
• assessments that materially inform technical feasibility, operating costs, reliability or the overall economic case for the proposed antimony processing facility or help obtaining intellectual property protection
• obtaining business, financial or market insight advice that supports market assessment, analysis and advice to reach a final investment decision (for Commonwealth or state-funded programs or private investors)
• laboratory, bench-scale or existing facility pilot and/or demonstration activities to reduce risk and support the business case.

Note: Supported front-end engineering design (FEED) activities are limited to pre-investment, pre-construction engineering and planning. Installation and any capital works are ineligible.

Applicants need to explain how the proposed studies and activities will support future delivery, approvals, risk management and investment decisions.

Activities that meet funding eligibility

These include those that:

• match the development stage of the proposed facility
• show benefits and support for downstream processing across the sector
• support antimony processing technologies that help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
• directly support the development of downstream manufacturing capability.

What is not funded

The program will not fund:

• projects that are not focused on antimony
• business-as-usual costs, including salaries and wages for personnel who do not directly work on the project
• routine or ongoing running costs, including maintenance, rent or utilities
• facility capital works or the purchase of tech/equipment, land purchase, capital works, construction and related expenses (including site preparation, civil works, pilot or demonstration plants, large fixed equipment or long-lead items)
• engagement that includes public advocacy, campaigning or political communications
• costs linked to other projects
• claims of costs already incurred
• duplicate projects already running or planned in the targeted locality (Applicants must nominate a specific site in Victoria where they will build the facility. This must be the project site or immediate surrounding area. Applicants must also confirm that no similar antimony processing feasibility or business case projects are already funded or underway at that site or nearby. Do this by checking publicly available government information, or contacting DEECA through the program enquiries inbox.)
• activities that create an expectation of ongoing government funding
• activities not linked to antimony processing, including political campaigning or party advocacy
• projects focusing on a facility located outside Victoria.

Eligibility

Applications are first checked against the eligibility requirements. This confirms the applicant and the proposed activity are both eligible for funding.

Lead organisation

All applications (single entity or a consortium) must nominate a ‘lead organisation’ to:

• endorse the application
• confirm any funds or in-kind contributions for the project
• have authority to enter into a funding agreement with the state if the application is successful.

Funding can only be given and paid to the lead organisation throughout the duration of the grants program.

Eligible lead organisations

• Companies registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
• Incorporated associations registered under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
• Indigenous organisations incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Commonwealth)
• Franchisees operating as a separate legal entity
• Trustees applying on behalf of a trust (where all relevant eligibility requirements are met)

To be eligible, lead organisations must also:

• be an incorporated body, cooperative or association
• be financially solvent
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• have at least 3 years’ operating history (or its parent company)
• provide 3 years of financial reports, preferably audited (or its parent company).

Ineligible lead organisations

• Individuals who are not a registered business entity (e.g. sole trader with an ABN)
• Government agencies or bodies
• Companies not incorporated in Australia
• Unincorporated entities
• Publicly funded research institutions
• Industry associations
• Partnerships

Applications may also include consortium members and/or participating organisations.

Consortia

Applications that include consortia are strongly encouraged. A consortium is 2 or more organisations working with a lead organisation to deliver the project. All members must have a formal role and work together under a written consortium agreement. For example, a research organisation may partner with a private company.

Partners should bring complementary skills or expertise (e.g. across geology, metallurgy, engineering, marketing and finance).

Consortium arrangements must be set out in a written, legally enforceable agreement. At a minimum, the agreement must clearly describe:

• partners’ roles and responsibilities
• decision-making and governance arrangements
• financial contributions (cash and in-kind)
• reporting and performance obligations
• dispute resolution arrangements.

The lead organisation remains responsible to the state. It is accountable for project delivery and reporting under the funding agreement.

Participating organisations

Applications may include participating organisations. Participating organisations can contribute in-kind support such as expertise, labour and/or IP, but cannot fund projects or receive grant funding.

A participating organisation can also be a consortium member if this is reflected in the project governance arrangements.

If a publicly funded research organisation participates as a partner, the project plan must clearly describe personnel time and how it is linked to eligible activities.

Participating organisations include:

• international companies
• research organisations
• government-affiliated bodies.

A participating organisation must:

• be a legally constituted entity
• contribute specialist expertise or support eligible project activities
• comply with all applicable Australian laws and regulations for its project activities.

Interstate or international participating organisations can provide expertise or in-kind support; however, grant funding must be spent on business case or related activities for a facility located in Victoria. These activities must deliver clear benefits to Victoria.

If a participating organisation is based interstate or overseas, applicants must clearly describe its role and show that its participation does not create regulatory or geopolitical risks or sanctions to the state. Applicants must not appear on the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sanctions list.

Assessment process

Applications are assessed in the following order:

1. applicant eligibility
2. project eligibility
3. merit assessment against the criteria below
4. due diligence
5. funding agreement negotiations.

Only applications that meet all eligibility requirements will move to merit assessment.

DEECA may undertake due diligence checks and funding agreement negotiations with preferred applicants following assessment.

Assessment criteria

Applicants must address all relevant criteria in their application. Each criterion has a percentage weighting. This shows how important it is in the overall assessment.

The application form includes questions based on the below criteria. Applicants should match the level of detail and evidence to the size, complexity and grant amount requested. All responses must be supported by evidence.

Criteria 1: Business case or related studies and activities – WHAT will be delivered

Applicants must:

1. Describe the proposed facility clearly: explain what the facility will do, how it is structured and what it will deliver. Show what the business case or related studies funded under the grants program will cover, including:
   • why Victoria needs an antimony processing facility and the economic value it will create
   • site-specific feasibility, including planning and permit pathways and estimated development costs
   • market demand and access, including export pathways and cost–benefit analysis
   • the next steps and investment needed to speed up development of a Victorian-based processing facility.
2. Explain how the proposed activities will support the business case: this may include engineering scoping, feasibility studies, market engagement, cost estimates and risk assessments. These activities must build a robust evidence base.
3. Show how the business case will be investment-ready. Explain how it will support future state, Commonwealth or private investment.
4. Demonstrate competitive positioning. Applicants should compare their proposal to alternatives. Clearly explain the proposal’s advantages, such as lower costs, higher-grade ore or a different processing approach. Support claims with clear and concise evidence.

Weighting: 30%

Criteria 2: Strategic case – WHY the facility is needed

Applicants must:

1. Show how the proposal aligns with the Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap, including how it:
   • enables downstream processing
   • supports early-stage industry development
   • strengthens Victoria’s sovereign supply chains.
2. Describe the economic, regional and community benefits of the facility. This includes potential job creation. Applicants must also show how the business case or related studies align with:
   • the Fair Jobs Code (where applicable)
   • Local Jobs First requirements (where applicable)
   • the Victorian Social Procurement Framework, such as inclusive employment and supplier diversity.
3. Explain how the facility will contribute to:
   • Victoria’s broader critical minerals objectives
   • climate and net zero outcomes (where relevant)
   • market demand or strategic partner interest, such as offtake agreements or investment signals
   • social licence, including benefit sharing with local communities and Victorian Traditional Owners.

Weighting: 30%

Criteria 3: Fair delivery case – HOW the facility and the business case, related studies or activities will be delivered

Applicants must:

1. Provide a clear and realistic delivery plan that suits the pre-investment or feasibility stage: explain the approach, sequence of work, key tasks and milestones. This must cover the facility and the business case or related studies and activities.
2. Show a feasible approvals pathway. This includes planning, development and environmental approvals. The level of detail should match the current stage of development.
3. Provide a clear and well-considered project budget. This must:
   • detail the facility and the business case or related studies and activities
   • identify cash and in-kind contributions
   • demonstrate value for money.
   Applicants should explain how they will access finance, infrastructure, capital equipment, technology and intellectual property, at a level appropriate to the development stage.
4. Include a comprehensive risk assessment that addresses:
   • risks to delivering the facility within the planned development timeframe
   • risks to delivering the business case or related studies and activities within the grant period
   • key ongoing operational risks for a future processing facility, where required.
5. Describe the delivery and governance approach. This must include decision-making, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting arrangements. It must cover both the facility and the business case or related studies and activities.

Weighting: 25%

Criteria 4: Capability and partnerships – WHO will deliver and benefit

Applicants must:

1. Demonstrate the capability, experience and capacity of the lead organisation and any consortium partners to deliver the business case, related studies and activities.
2. Demonstrate the capability, experience and capacity of the lead organisation to deliver the facility on schedule.
3. Clearly define roles, responsibilities and governance arrangements, including consortium agreements, where applicable.
4. Provide evidence of relevant expertise, including:
   • technical expertise
   • commercial expertise
   • environmental, social and governance (ESG) capability
   • project management capability
5. Describe engagement, or planned engagement, with relevant stakeholders, including:
   • industry partners
   • research organisations
   • Traditional Owners, where applicable
   • local communities
   • regional beneficiaries
6. Explain how the facility and the business case or related studies support fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces, including:
   • Local Jobs First workforce requirements, where triggered
   • commitments aligned with the Victorian Social Procurement Framework, such as gender equality, inclusive employment and social enterprise engagement.

Weighting: 15%

Supporting evidence

Applicants must attach the following to their application:

• a budget for the facility and business case or related studies and activities (part of the project management plan template, see below)
• a risk management log for the facility and business case or related studies and activities (part of the project management plan template, see below)
• a delivery schedule for the facility and business case or related studies and activities (part of the project management plan template, see below)
• financial records for the past 3 years (Lead organisations (or its parent company) must provide audited or accountant-prepared financial reports for the past 3 years. These must include profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and notes to accounts. If the latest financial report is more than 6 months old, a current profit and loss statement and balance sheet must be provided.)
• written consent from the relevant public land manager or private landowner, if applicable
• written support from relevant Traditional Owners for the activity, if applicable
• evidence of current WorkSafe Victoria registration as at the grant announcement date, if applicable
• evidence of business registration location and primary business activities, and confirmation that funded activities will be substantially undertaken in Victoria
• written evidence from the lead organisation’s board or chief executive officer (or equivalent) that:
  • the application and proposed activities are supported
  • the applicant can complete the activity and meet costs not covered by grant funding
• written evidence of applicant’s ability to fund costs beyond the grant, such as:
  • a funding plan that details where and how you will source funding
  • balance sheets
  • evidence of past capital raising
  • evidence of engagement with credible commercial advisers.
• any other documents to support and provide context for the application.

Applicants must submit all required supporting documents. Only attach information that is requested. Extra material may not be considered. DEECA may ask applicants to provide more evidence to support any claims in an application.

The Victorian Government may refuse an application if:

• applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria
• applicants do not provide enough information to assess eligibility
• applicants cannot support claims with evidence.

Only completed applications submitted through the department will be assessed. Draft or incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Templates

Applicants must use the project management plan template, which includes a budget, project delivery schedule and risk management log. This template is linked in the application form.

The risk management log must cover:

• risks to building and delivering the facility
• operational risks for the proposed processing facility
• risks to delivering the business case, studies or related activities.

Attaching supporting documents

Supporting documents must be in an accepted file type, such as Word, Excel, PDF or JPEG. Each file size must be 10MB or less.

If applicants cannot attach documents to their online application, they should email grantsinfo@deeca.vic.gov.au and quote their application number. All documents should be sent in one email and files zipped if required.

Due diligence checks

DEECA may carry out due diligence checks on applicants. These checks help DEECA assess financial and other risks potentially linked to an application.

Checks may include, but are not limited to:

• whether the applicant is under external administration, bankruptcy, or wind-up or deregistration proceedings, including steps to cancel, suspend or lapse relevant registrations or permits
• whether the applicant is subject to regulatory action by Resources Victoria or has a history of poor regulatory compliance
• any potential reputational risk to the state
• the applicant’s risk profile, financial viability and management capacity
• the applicant’s past performance on Victorian Government grants, including any failure to meet key contractual obligations
• a site visit (where needed) to confirm manufacturing operations in Victoria.

DEECA may consider the outcomes of such checks when deciding whether to recommend the application for grant funding.

DEECA may remove an applicant from the process at any time if, in the department’s view, the applicant’s involvement could bring the department, a Minister or the state of Victoria into disrepute.

Funding conditions

Funding agreements

Successful applicant(s) must sign a funding agreement with DEECA (on behalf of the state).

By signing the agreement, the applicant:

• confirms that the business meets the eligibility criteria at the time of application
• agrees to terms and conditions of the Advancing Antimony Grants program.

Applicants must keep their ABN registration up to date. This includes all information listed on the Australian Business Register (ABR). Details must be accurate at the time of application and kept current:

• for the life of the grant
• beyond the grant, if the facility goes ahead.

The funding agreement will set out:

• project deliverables
• reporting milestones
• payment terms
• acquittal requirements.

Intellectual property created through the project will be managed in line with the funding agreement.

Legislative and regulatory requirements

When delivering the business case or related studies and activities, grant recipients must comply with all relevant Commonwealth and state/territory laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to:

• The Privacy Act 1998 (Commonwealth)
• The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
• Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic), plus related standing directions, policies and guidelines
• Disability Discrimination Act 2006 (Vic)
• Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic)
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
• Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) and any subsequent amendments or new legislation.

Applicants should check whether projects meet relevant thresholds. Grants of $500,000 or more (excluding GST) must meet Victoria’s Fair Jobs Code requirements. Local Jobs First (LJF) obligations may also apply.

1. If the proposal triggers requirements, applicants must:
   • register where required
   • complete all attestations
   • include this information in their application.
2. Under the Fair Jobs Code, applicants must apply for a Pre-Assessment Certificate (Certificate) and hold a valid certificate before submitting an application. Applicants can apply for this certificate through the FJC Unit.

Payments

Payments will be made if:

• both parties (successful applicant and DEECA) have signed the funding agreement
• applicants continue to meet the funding terms and conditions.

All payments are linked to milestones. Each milestone must have:

• clear deliverables
• measurable outcomes.

DEECA must verify these deliverables before making payment.

Tax implications

Applicants should seek their own tax advice. This could be from the Australian Taxation Office or a qualified professional. Funding is offered excluding GST. If the applicant holds an ABN and is registered for GST, payments will be made including GST.

Monitoring and reporting

Grant recipients must meet all monitoring and reporting requirements of the funding agreement.

This may include:

• progress reports
• site inspections
• completion records
• acquittal documentation.

Recipients are responsible for delivering the business case or related studies and activities. This includes managing any cost overruns.

DEECA may cancel the grant and recover funds already paid if the project:

• is unreasonably delayed
• changes scope without prior written approval
• is not delivered.

These requirements will be included in the funding agreement.

Timing flexibility: In 2026, the Commonwealth announced the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. Given its pace of development, DEECA may consider reasonable written requests to milestone dates. This applies where timing changes help applicants include new national:

• policy settings
• pricing information
• demand forecasts
• strategic reserve settings.

Acknowledging the Victorian Government’s support

Successful applicants must acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support. DEECA’s promotional guidelines will form part of the funding agreement.

Successful applicants must work with Resources Victoria’s Critical Minerals Coordination Office before organising:

• public events
• media announcements
• other public communication about the funded project.

This coordination is especially important for ASIC-listed companies. It helps ensure announcements meet ASIC and market disclosure requirements. It also gives the Minister the chance to make public statements where appropriate.

Privacy

DEECA will collect personal information about the applicant or a third party to:

• assess and administer the grant application
• inform Members of Parliament of successful applications.

DEECA may also share personal information with:

• cross-government assessment panels
• other government departments
• independent experts and advisers
• service providers engaged to assess financial risk assessments.

This may include use for reporting, commercial advice, probity oversight or discussion about alternative grant funding opportunities.

If applicants intend to include personal information about third parties in their application, they need to ensure that third parties are aware of the contents of this privacy statement.

DEECA will handle any personal information collected securely and in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

See DEECA’s Privacy Policy.

Key dates

• Applications open: 28 April 2026
• Applications close: 5 pm, 23 June 2026
• Applicants notified: July/August 2026
• Activities commence: August/September 2026 (within 8 weeks of signing grant agreement)
• Activities completed and acquittal reports submitted: March 2027

How to apply

Apply online through the Grants Portal.

Applicant questions

DEECA is holding an information session on Thursday 14 May 2026 at 10 am.

Applicants can ask questions about:

• these guidelines
• the application process
• broader program.

Applicants must submit questions by Friday 8 May 2026. Send questions to resources@deeca.vic.gov.au and include ‘Advancing Antimony Grant – query’ in the subject line of the message.

If applicants need help submitting their application online, they can email grantsinfo@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Notification

DEECA will notify successful and unsuccessful applicants in writing once the assessment process is complete. All decisions are final and are not subject to further review.

DEECA aims to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 8–10 weeks of submission. If delays occur, DEECA will notify applicants in writing.

Absolute discretion

DEECA has full discretion in relation to all aspects of the assessment and award of funding under this program. This discretion includes, but is not limited to, deciding whether or not to offer a grant, determining the amount of funding to be offered (which may be less than the amount requested) and setting any funding conditions. DEECA is under no obligation to provide reasons for its decisions or to give prior notice of the exercise of this discretion. However, unsuccessful applicants may seek feedback on their application.

DEECA may, at its discretion, seek clarification or request additional information from an applicant at any stage of the assessment process. Failure to provide requested information within specified timeframes may result in an application not being assessed further.

Page last updated: 28 Apr 2026