Supporting the transition from native timber harvesting

Why this is important

The Victorian Government banned native timber harvesting on public lands from January 2024. This impacted up to 4,000 jobs in regional communities, mostly in Gippsland.

To support businesses and workers to transition out of native forest harvesting, the government announced the $200 million Forestry Transition Program. It builds on the 2019 Victorian Forestry Plan, bringing the government's support to $875 million.

The Forestry Transition Program provides business, worker, and community support packages, including the:

• Forestry Transition Fund, which supports businesses and industry groups to expand, diversify or start new businesses
• Timber Innovation Grants Program, which supports native timber industry businesses to invest in new opportunities
• Forestry Business Support Package, which compensates businesses that provided services to the former government agency VicForests.

Our engagement would provide transparency on whether funds are allocated and used according to the program's intent.

What we plan to examine

We plan to examine if the Forestry Transition Program is supporting Victoria’s timber industry to transition from native timber harvesting.

Who we plan to examine

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action 

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions