The levy system

Australia’s table grape growers pay a statutory levy of 1 cent per kilogram of table grapes produced, which is collected by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Levies Revenue Service (LRS).

Those funds are passed on to research and development corporation Hort Innovation.
Hort Innovation works with the table grape industry to deliver strategic investments in R&D and marketing programs. Industry specific Strategic Investment Advisory Panels (SIAPs) provide consultation and advice on the industry and where investments should be made to support increased productivity, profitability and competitiveness.

Once our growers’ money is invested, the Australian Government contributes to R&D investments by making a contribution using public money – though marketing levy investments do not receive the same contribution.