The Victorian Government is supporting local industry to produce ventilators to help equip our healthcare system as it deals with coronavirus, with a key international licensing agreement secured.

Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula today announced that with the backing of a $500,000 government grant, local company Grey Innovation is well advanced in establishing a local consortium to manufacture the life-saving machines.

The Victorian Government intends to order 2,000 locally made ventilators, with the first Victorian-produced machines potentially available in June.

Grey Innovation has secured a licence from a leading global manufacturer to develop the ventilators in Australia and is now working with local suppliers and a network of world-class engineering and advanced manufacturing operators to advance the project.

Richmond-based Grey Innovation is a leading technology commercialisation and engineering company with expertise in the health, environment and defence technology sectors.

Separately, the Government is supporting other Victorian manufacturers, including Ballarat-based Gekko Systems, to advance plans to produce ventilators.

Once established, the fast-tracked local industry stands to provide a material boost to Victoria’s, and potentially Australia’s, supply of ventilators, which are a vital part of the intensive-care treatment in acute coronavirus cases.

Victorian hospitals currently have about 1000 ventilators, with thousands more on order from overseas following the Victorian Government’s $1.3 billion funding injection to buy medical equipment and consumables, including oxygen units, dialysis machines, patient monitors and millions of gloves, masks and gowns.

This funding also includes $65 million for capital works and workforce training, strengthening Victoria’s healthcare sector and improving our ability to actively respond to coronavirus.