Across Victoria’s workforce there are nearly one million casual and contract workers. Many of them don’t have access to sick and carer’s pay. They’re often forced to make the difficult choice between going to work sick or staying home and missing out on pay.

The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee provides a financial safety net for those workers. It helps people to stay home when they’re sick. It helps people to take care of their families. And it helps to protect the health of all Victorians – in the first year of the pilot, 41 per cent of workers surveyed said they would have gone to work unwell if they had not signed up to the pilot.

When we introduced the Sick Pay Guarantee in 2022, we were the first state in Australia to support casual and contract workers with sick and carer’s pay. More than a year later, and we’re still the only state supporting insecure workers in this way. 

This People and Places Grant Program will help us to provide all eligible workers with the information and support they need to access the pilot program. Because no worker should have to choose between a day’s pay and their health – or the health of a loved one.

1.1 Background

The Victorian Government’s Sick Pay Guarantee (the Pilot) is an Australian-first initiative. The Pilot provides Victorian casual and contract workers in eligible jobs up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage.

The Pilot is fully funded by the Victorian Government. It will run for three years from 14 March 2022 until 13 March 2025. The Pilot aims to reduce workplace illnesses and injuries and make workplaces safer and more productive.

The Pilot is for casual and contract workers in Victoria who do not have paid annual, personal, sick or carer’s leave entitlements in any job. For the complete eligibility requirements and a full list of eligible jobs, please visit the website.

With over 150,000 workers eligible within the 600+ jobs, the Department remains focussed on increasing participation in the Pilot.

1.2 Program outcomes

The Pilot focusses on jobs in industries where priority communities are overrepresented, such as people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, women and young people.

The People and Places Grant Program (PPGP) will provide grant funding to organisations to deliver activities that increase awareness and participation of eligible workers in the Pilot in priority communities and locations (see 1.3 Priority communities and locations). The PPGP has a particular focus on supporting these workers who may not be aware of the Pilot, be facing barriers, or require additional support in accessing the Pilot.

PPGP aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Eligible Victorians are aware of and have equal opportunity to participate in the Pilot,
• Support is provided to remove barriers priority communities may be facing in accessing the Pilot,
• Pilot registrations increase among priority communities and in priority locations, and 
• Communities and organisations provide feedback on Pilot implementation and effectiveness.

1.3 Priority communities and locations

Workers in priority communities and locations often require extra support to access the Pilot for various reasons. These groups are defined below.

1.3.1 Priority communities

Organisations that can provide support to workers from one or more of the priority communities are encouraged to apply. These audiences are:

• CALD,
• Aboriginal Victorians,
• LGBTQIA+ communities,
• Veterans,
• Young people (15-25),
• People living with disability,
• Older workers (55+), and
• Women.

In further detail to the priority communities, applications that can demonstrate an ability to support the below communities will be highly regarded:

• Recent migrants (including refugees),
• International students,
• Aboriginal Victorians,
• LGBTQIA+ communities, and
• People living with disability.

1.3.2 Priority locations

Applications will be sought to provide state-wide or location-specific support for eligible workers. Applications that can demonstrate reach in the priority locations highlighted below will be highly regarded. It is noted that priority locations listed below are specific to the Pilot.

Metropolitan Melbourne

1. Brimbank, 
2. Casey, 
3. Frankston,
4. Greater Dandenong,
5. Hume,
6. Melbourne and Inner Metro,
7. Melton,
8. Whittlesea, and
9. Wyndham.

Regional Victoria

1. Ballarat (incl. surrounding region),
2. Geelong (incl. surrounding region to SW Victoria),
3. Greater Bendigo (incl. surrounding region), 
4. Greater Shepparton (incl. surrounding region),
5. Latrobe (incl. surrounding region),
6. Mildura (incl. regional NW Victoria), and
7. Wodonga (incl. surrounding region).

The Department is seeking applications from organisations that can demonstrate an ability to reach and support high volumes of eligible casual and contract workers.

Applications that reflect capability to effectively engage with workers among the Pilot’s priority communities and locations (see 1.3 Priority Communities and Locations) will be highly regarded, with applications providing support to multiple priority communities and locations being strongly preferred.

2.1 Eligible applicants

To be eligible for this Program, your organisation must: 

• Hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN). To check your ABN, go to the Australian Business register webpage
• Be based in Victoria or be the Victorian chapter of a national organisation, 
• Have no overdue final reports from previous department-funded grants, by the time of applying. If you are unsure whether your organisation is up to date with all grant reporting, email the Department spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au. 
• Be one of the following legal entity types: 
  • A company incorporated in Australia, 
  • An incorporated association, 
  • A Victorian local government council, 
  • Other incorporated entity (an industry association or business chambers), 
  • A Victorian government entity structured as a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or 
  • A trustee on behalf of a trust (where the trust is the eligible business).¹ 

Auspice – If your organisation is not incorporated or does not have an ABN, you may still apply if you are supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant for you. Auspice organisations are required to meet the organisation eligibility criteria. 

Trusts and Trustees – A trustee can apply on behalf of a trust and a partner can apply on behalf of a partnership provided that the trustee or partnership would otherwise be eligible and be able to meet the obligations under the signed agreement. 

2.2 Ineligible applicants

The following are not eligible to apply: 

• Individuals, and
• Sole traders.

2.3 Consortia proposals

Applications from consortia (i.e. multiple organisations) who can work collaboratively to address multiple priority communities or locations will be strongly preferred. A lead organisation must be identified for each consortium and only a single application should be submitted per consortium. The application should identify the partners, appropriate governance and project management arrangements, and confirmation of their willingness to participate in the consortium. 

2.4 Eligibility for auspice arrangements

Applications will be accepted from auspice organisations applying on behalf of another organisation that is not a legal entity but meets all other eligibility requirements. If the application is successful, the auspice organisation becomes the official ‘recipient’ and will receive any funds allocated and is responsible for the acquittal of grant funds. 

For more on auspice arrangements please contact the Department spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Footnotes

1 A trustee can apply on behalf of a trust provided that the trustee will remain sufficiently liable for any terms or obligations for receiving a grant and meets the criteria as set out in Section 6.1.

Applications will be received through a single funding round, opening on Monday 18 December 2023 and closing on Wednesday 7 February 2024 at 5pm. Depending on the volume of applications, assessments will occur in February 2024, and grants will be finalised in March 2024. 

Grants of between $100,000 and up to $1,200,000, (excluding GST), are available on a competitive basis. Any staffing costs must be included in the total application amount. If your grant application includes the employment of outreach officers, note the Department will cap the payment for these services at $150,000 (excluding GST) per Full Time Equivalent staff member, with this amount to also cover their associated expenses with the proposed activities.

Applicants will be required to provide a project delivery plan* with their application, that includes quotations and estimates in support that express value for money. Funding will not be provided for retrospective activities, (i.e., where project expenditure is incurred prior to execution of a grant agreement and project commencement). See Section 4. Program Eligibility – What Will Be Funded? for further details on eligible and ineligible activities.

Successful applicants will have until 31 December 2024 to undertake the funded activities. 

*A project delivery plan template will be provided to applicants.

4.1 Eligible activities and expenses

Activities undertaken by organisations will be coordinated with Department led marketing, engagement, and communications activities to promote the Pilot.

• The Department will manage and deliver all paid advertising, media events and ministerial opportunities, Sick Pay Guarantee brand, and cross government promotion. 
• The Department has procured an agency who will develop tailored communication material for priority communities using Sick Pay Guarantee brand, including translations and other public relations activities.

Applications should exhibit an organisation’s understanding of the nature of the problem facing workers in accessing Pilot programs, similar to and including the Sick Pay Guarantee. They should indicate which priority communities and locations their organisation can best support and how. Applications should articulate how your organisation will be undertaking outreach into the community.

An organisation may use funding to enlist community outreach officers tasked with delivering targeted and proactive engagement and communications activities that fit within an approved project delivery plan.

The project delivery plan will be a part of your application, with a template provided in the application form for completion. 

4.1.1 Example activities and eligible expenditure may include:

• Planning activities: 
  • co-development of communication and engagement plans in collaboration with the Department.
•  Communications activities: 
  • *facilitating tailored messaging flows through the appropriate channels, and 
  • provision of strategic advice to the Department on targeting harder to reach communities. 
• Engagement activities: 
  • reaching into networks and employers of eligible workers facilitating registrations, 
  • attending or hosting relevant community and industry events, or having pop-up stalls at priority locations, to promote the Pilot, 
  • organising community registration sessions, 
  • holding seminars (online/offline), and 
  • collaborating with community leaders making the Pilot more accessible to their communities. 
• Other value adding activities: 
  • conducting surveys and data collection activities to assist with Pilot evaluation, 
  • identifying case studies for the Department within the community. 

Eligible activities are not limited to the above, these just being some examples. 

For consortia applications, project management and operational support will also be considered as an eligible expense. 

*Note the Department will provide co-branded and tailored assets, grant recipients are not required to create new creative assets.  

4.1.2 Example eligible expenditure:

• HR/Onboarding costs/payroll/admin,
• IT software and related infrastructure,
• management support, and
• travel to undertake approved activities and venue hire.

4.2 Ineligible project expenses

Grant funding may not be expended on:

• retrospective funding for activities that have already begun,
• legal and accounting fees,
• capital expenditure, 
• costs relating the preparing the grant application,
• GST, and 
• costs associated with the day to day running of the organisation. 

You can only spend the grant funding on eligible expenditure you have incurred on eligible activities, that fit within the Program objectives. 

The Department makes the final decision on what is an eligible activity or expenditure under the Program.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on the closing date. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

Assessment of applications will commence as soon as the application period concludes.

We anticipate all applicants will be advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application within approximately 30 days of the closing date. 

5.1 Preparing an application

1. Read these guidelines and Program FAQs on the website to guide your application.
2. Attend an information session (optional), times and dates will be on the program website.
3. Consider how your project meets the assessment criteria. 
4. Supply all necessary supporting documents to apply as detailed (see 5.3 Documentation and Information Requirements).
5. Complete and submit the application form available on the website/portal within the open period.
6. Ensure you have received email confirmation of application submission.

Only final applications will be considered. If you have any questions, please contact the Department at spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

5.2 Applicable policies

5.2.1 Local Jobs First Policy

Grant projects are subject to LJF where the value of the grant meets the Local Jobs First financial thresholds as follows:

• $1 million or more for regional projects, or
• $3 million or more for metropolitan Melbourne or statewide projects. 

For further information, grant applicants should refer to the LJF Policy and guidelines which can be found on the Local Jobs First website.

5.2.2 Fair Jobs Code compliance

For organisations seeking a grant funding amount of over $500,000 it may be required that a Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate is required with the application. For further information, please visit the Fair Jobs Code web page or contact the Department.

5.3 Documentation and information requirements

Mandatory documentation

Completed application form including:

• Applying organisation and contact details,
• A detailed project delivery plan outlining which priority communities and/or locations can be supported,
• Project timeline relating to milestones,
• Completion of all questions relating to the selection criteria (see 6.1 Assessment Criteria),
• Proposed project budget,
• Evidence of sufficient internal resources to allocate to the project, and
• Any project risk or mitigation strategies. 

For proposals that target young people groups (15–25), and/or include engagement activities that are directly delivered to young people under the age of 18, please include evidence of:

• Applicant incorporation as separate legal entities,
• Appropriate insurance against child abuse,
• Appropriate Working with Children checks and/or screening checks for direct delivery staff, and
• Applicant organisation’s child abuse prevention policy/procedure or child safe statement/code of conduct (see 8.4 Child Safe Considerations).

 *For grant applications of $50,001 or more, Applicants will be required to provide documentation to enable the completion of a Financial Risk Assessment (FRA):

•  Audited financial reports for the last three financial years. This should be the ‘final accounts’ with a directors’ report and declaration, and should include profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flows, and notes to the accounts. If accounts are not audited, unaudited accounts from an Accountant will be accepted.
•  If the latest financial report is more than six months old, up-to-date management or interim accounts for the current year including profit and loss statement and balance sheet, and, in the case of public listed corporations, a half yearly financial report. 

*Exemptions may apply, please contact the Department for guidance.

Supporting documentation

• Letters of support where relevant, for example from local councils, local business etc. 
• Materials evidencing previous similar services delivered that may support the merit of an application.

5.3.1 Financial Risk Assessment exemptions include:

• Entities applying for a grant of up to and including $50,000 – Due Diligence Check Only,
• Federal and state government departments and statutory agencies,
• Local governments, and
• Publicly funded universities and educational institutions. 

5.3.2 Notes on submitting documentation and materials:

• You can upload and submit up to 5 files and/or 5 URLs (external links),
• Attached files can be no more than 25MB in size each, and 
• It may be necessary to combine supporting material into one document in some instances, i.e., multiple images or letters of support may be compiled into one PDF or PowerPoint file.

All applications will be assessed for compliance and eligibility, and will undergo due diligence checks, including Financial Risk Assessments where required.

Eligible applications will be assessed and scored against the assessment criteria (see 6.1 Assessment Criteria) by an assessment panel of Departmental staff.

All supplementary attachments and information provided as part of the application will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.

In addition to being scored against the criteria (see 6.1 Assessment Criteria), applications will also be considered against the spread of projects to ensure fair and consistent coverage across communities and locations. 

Applications that propose service delivery to the communities and locations previously highlighted (see 1.3 Priority Communities and Locations) are preferred, especially those that can reach across multiple communities and locations.

Recommendations will be determined based on assessment score, spread of projects across geographic locations, priority communities and funding available.

Applications will be recommended for approval by the Minister for Employment.

The Minister for Employment is responsible for the approval of grant funding. 

Note: Not all applications will be successful. Meeting the assessment criteria does not guarantee you will receive funding.

6.1 Assessment criteria

6.2 Applicant checks

Applicants are subject to due diligence assessments to enable the Department to assess financial and other non-financial risks associated with the application. Outcomes from such assessments may be considered in any decision to recommend or award a grant and in contracting with successful applicants.

The Department may, at any time, remove an applicant from the application and assessment process, if in the Department’s opinion, association with the applicant may bring the Department, a Minister or the State of Victoria into disrepute.

We will advise you of the outcome of your grant application via email.

We will endeavour to notify applicants of the outcome of their application within a month of receiving a final completed application. Feedback on unsuccessful applications may be able to be provided on request.

We will send successful applicants a letter of offer advising them that their application is successful, and upon acceptance, a grant agreement. Applicants will have 10 business days from the date of the letter of offer to accept the offer in writing and 10 business days from the date of acceptance to execute (sign) the grant agreement with the Department. The offer may be withdrawn if the grant agreement is not executed within the timeframe given above.

An offer of funding is not binding on the Department unless and until both the Department and the applicant execute the grant agreement.

The Minister for Employment makes the final decision, based on recommendations from the assessment panel.

All decisions made by the Department, or the Minister for Employment are final. This includes decisions made in relation to any aspect of the funding application and assessment process to:

• offer or award a grant under this program, or
• withdraw the offer or cancel the grant funding agreement.

The Department reserves the right to negotiate with shortlisted applicants on the level of funding.

8.1 Grant agreements

Successful applicants will be invited to enter into a legally binding grant agreement with the Department.

To best position applicants to achieve program outcomes, discussions will be held prior to entering into a grant agreement to aid refinement of submitted project delivery plans.

The project must not commence until the grant agreement has been executed (signed) by both the Department and the applicant.

The grant agreement details all funding obligations and conditions such as:

• payments,
• funding use,
• grant activity deliverables,
• Child Safe considerations (if applicable),
• monitoring and milestones,
• reporting and acquittals, and
• audit and termination conditions.

Once the agreement has been executed, the grant recipient (successful applicant) will be required to commence the project within the agreed timeframe. If a recipient does not commence the project by the commencement date, the Department has at its absolute discretion the option of terminating the agreement.

The Department will make grant payments according to set milestone deliverables. The milestones will be detailed in the funding agreement, but are outlined below:

• Service set up funding a sum of funding will be paid at commencement/signing of the contract, after a project delivery plan has been submitted. The project delivery plan should include quotations and estimates demonstrating value for money for proposed activities.
• A second sum of funding will be paid after completion of the mid-term report, and strategic review session, as well as the completion of initial activities outlined in the grant agreement. The mid term report must include feedback that considers Pilot implementation and effectiveness in relation to the priority communities and locations.
• The final proportion of total funding will be paid at completion of contracted services, including compliance with contractual requirements, such as a completion reporting and financial acquittal.

Deliverables are also subject to:

• Statutory declaration,
• Audit opinion, and
• Complete and accurate data entry into the Program management system.

Your organisation must use all funds for activities during and as outlined in the funding agreement. In addition, your organisation must meet any extra funding conditions set out in the letter of offer or funding agreement.

Any variation to the approved project must be submitted to the Department for approval before starting. Failure to meet these requirements may mean your organisation will need to return funding to the Department.

8.2 Partnership marketing and branding

The Department will provide grant recipients with co-branded creative asset templates that have been tailored for priority communities that can be utilised to promote the program (e.g., Social Media tile templates, eDM and website banners, etc). Artwork will include the Sick Pay Guarantee initiative logo and the Service Victoria Logo with the grant recipient organisation logo which will be applied to all marketing communications assets.

Specific details of creative assets to be provided will be specified in the grant agreement to meet the requirements of the grant recipient's project delivery plan. All promotional material must be provided to the Department for approval prior to release.

Recipients must obtain written approval from the Department before making public announcements about receiving the grant. The Department may promote the benefits of the grant and the State's support for the project, and recipients must cooperate with the Department in promoting the program. These requirements are outlined in the grant agreement.

8.3 Program monitoring and evaluation

As a condition of funding, grant recipients will be required to participate in any program monitoring and evaluation activities initiated by the Department. This may include completing surveys throughout the Program and for a nominated period of time after Program completion to measure progress to achieving outcomes.

Whilst organisations will have the flexibility to design and deliver their activities, the Department will be available to assist from conception through to service delivery.

Successful applicants will be required to:

• Cooperate with the Department in communicating and promoting the benefits of the Sick Pay Guarantee, such as the preparation of media releases and case studies,
• Consult with the Department prior to the publication of any promotional materials relating to Sick Pay Guarantee,
• Liaise with the Department to coordinate events or announcements related to the activity,
• Provide financial reports upon request,
• Regularly report on service delivery via the provided templates, as specified by the Department including:
  • Stakeholder engagements and other activities undertaken, referrals and follow-up of the engagement using the reporting system provided by the Department,
  • Capture de-identified details of workers assisted,
  • Contribute information on activity outcomes for use in program evaluation reviews and/or development of marketing materials, and
  • Cooperate fully with evaluative activities undertaken either during or after the completion of the Program.

The Department will offer support to eligible organisations as described below, along with expectations for successful applicants as outlined below. These arrangements will be fully detailed in funding agreements.

8.3.1 The Department will:

• provide funding to successful applicants to deliver outcomes aligned to the Program outcomes,
• provide training for successful applicants,
• assist with coordination of activities both in the planning and delivery stages where possible,
• facilitate regular support and collaborative sessions for successful applicants, and
• The Department will regularly monitor Pilot uptake among audiences and locations, providing feedback on project activities and how they may be improved throughout to improve outcomes.

8.3.2 Funded organisations will:

• ensure staff have adequate support and resources to fulfil activities outlined in their initial proposals (access to IT, communications equipment, transport and accommodation etc.),
• provide day-to-day support and guidance to staff delivering funded activities,
• leverage organisational resources to facilitate connections with community and industry in further promoting the Pilot, and
• support staff to fulfil minimum reporting requirements (detailed in application forms).

8.3.3 Reporting requirements:

Reporting is critical to the Department in understanding program impact, supporting continuous improvement in program design and delivery, and delivering effective grant program outcomes for Victoria. The minimum expected reporting requirements are listed below and will be further outlined in funding agreements.

8.4 Child Safe Considerations

If your project is targeted specifically at young people groups (15–25), and/or include engagement activities that are directly delivered to young people under the age of 18, adherence to the Victorian Funding Guideline for Services to Children and Child Safe Standards is mandatory.

All applicants are required to provide evidence of the following:

• Incorporation as separate legal entities,
• Appropriate insurance against child abuse,
• Appropriate Working with Children Checks and any other relevant screening checks of all staff who will be delivering direct engagement activities to young people, and
• Commitment to Child Safe Standards as an organisation who provides direct services to children/young people, such as any child abuse prevention policy/procedure or child safe statement/code of conduct.

Further information about services to children funding requirements can be found on the Department of Justice and Community Safety website and information about Child Safe Standards can be found on the Commission for children and young people website.

9.1 Contact the team

If you wish to contact the Department in relation to your application or for any other reason, please email spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au. If you have any queries relating to the Sick Pay Guarantee, please visit the website. 

9.1.1 Complaints and feedback

Any complaints or feedback you have about this grant opportunity may be made in relation to: 

• the timeliness of the process,
• communication provided by the Department,
• adherence to the published Program guidelines. 

Send your written feedback to the Department spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

9.2 Privacy statement

Any personal information provided for this Program will be collected and used by the Department for the purposes of assessing eligibility, Program administration, Program review and evaluation.

The Department completes a range of eligibility assessments that may include data matching to clarify the accuracy and quality of information supplied. This is part of our auditing and monitoring processes and for confirming eligibility across this Program.

In the assessment of an application for the Program, it may be necessary to share personal information with State and Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, as well as other external experts. If personal information about a third party is included in the application, the applicant must ensure the third party is aware of and consents to the contents of this privacy statement.

The Department collects demographic information for economic reporting purposes. No personal information is used in reporting; all reports are presented with aggregated data.

Any personal information about the applicant or a third party will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed, or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and other applicable laws.

Enquiries about access or correction to your personal information, can be emailed to spgpeopleandplaces@ecodev.vic.gov.au. 

Other concerns regarding the privacy of personal information, can be emailed to the Department’s Privacy Unit at privacy@ecodev.vic.gov.au. The Department’s privacy policy is also available by emailing the Department’s Privacy Unit.

9.3 Probity and decision-making

The Victorian Government makes every effort to ensure the grant application and assessment process is fair and undertaken in line with the published Program Guidelines.

Decisions in recommending and awarding grant funding under this Program are at the Department and Minister’s discretion. This includes not making any funding available or approving a lesser amount than that applied for.

These guidelines and application terms may be changed from time to time, as appropriate.

The Department may request the applicant provide further information should it be necessary to assess an application to the Program’s policy objectives.

Victorian Government staff work to the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Service Employees (Section 61) of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic), including processes set out to avoid conflicts of interest. Staff are also expected to demonstrate the following Victorian public sector values:

• responsiveness,
• integrity,
• impartiality,
• accountability,
• respect, and
• leadership and human rights.

9.4 GST

If your organisation is registered for GST, and if your grant application is successful, you will be paid GST on top of the amount awarded.

If your organisation is not registered for GST, and if your grant application is successful, you will receive just the grant amount awarded. GST will not be added on top.

Additional GST requirements may need to be met if requested by the Department.

For a full list of FAQs related to Sick Pay Guarantee, see our website.

Program specific FAQ’s will be published on the website and updated frequently. Questions will also be answered in the Program information sessions.

Information sessions to support organisations that are interested in applying are listed on the Program website. 

• Applicant means an individual or organisation that has submitted the application for funding for a grant.
• Application means the application submitted by the applicant to the Department for funding.
• Department or State means the State of Victoria through its Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
• Fair Jobs Code the Fair Jobs Code (Code) commenced 1 December 2022, and aims to encourage and reward businesses and suppliers that comply with industrial relations and occupational health and safety laws, and to promote Fair Jobs Code Standards.
• Grant means funding given to organisations or individuals for a specified purpose to meet government policy objectives. 
• Grant Agreement means a document that details the conditions of the grant and sets out the relationship between the parties.
• Grant Recipient means the legal entity that has entered into a grant agreement with the Department.
• Local Jobs First the Local Jobs First Policy (LJF Policy) issued under the Local Jobs First Act 2003 supports businesses and workers by ensuring that small and medium size enterprises are given a full and fair opportunity to compete for both large and small government contracts, helping to create job opportunities, including for apprentices, trainees and cadets. 
• Pilot refers to the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee pilot program. 
• Program refers to the People and Places Grant Program.
• Program Guidelines refers to this document. 
• Project means the activities specified in the application by the applicant for which the grant is provided.