More funding for Regional Worker accommodation thanks to Vic Government support 

The Victorian Government is supporting regional business to attract workers, opening another round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. 

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund supports ‘shovel ready’ projects through co-investing with private businesses, industries, regional councils, or local community groups to deliver worker housing that supports sectors and industries which struggle to attract and retain staff due to accommodation challenges in regional areas. 

Fit for purpose housing such as self-contained units, worker villages, family dwellings, shared accommodation, and studios can be supported under the scheme, which aims to build workforces in vital areas such as health, agriculture, education, manufacturing, and tourism.

“We’re working closely with private sector businesses, industry and community groups to build the homes and accommodation our towns need – supporting Victoria’s regions to have the skilled workers they need so our communities can prosper,” Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney said. 

“The second round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is one of the ways we’re creating more housing where it’s needed most.”

The opening of applications for round two comes on the back of last month’s announcement of funding for more than 20 successful projects that unlock nearly $250 million in combined private and public investment through the program’s first round, boosting affordable housing options for workers and their families.

In the first round of funding a number of businesses were successfully able to create accommodation for their workers, including Don Smallgoods, who are building eight four-bedroom units for more than 30 manufacturing and production workers to support short term and seasonal workers, and new worker accommodation throughout Victoria’s alpine resorts in Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek. 

Applications will open from Monday, 18 November to Friday, 31 January. For more information about the fund, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/rwaf.