Funding Opportunities
Drought Ready & Resilient Fund
Through the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, eligible primary producers can access a low-interest loan up to $250,000 to help prepare for, manage and recover from drought.
Applications are now open and will continue to be accepted until program funding is exhausted.
Drought Infrastructure Fund
The Drought Infrastructure Fund is a long-term, low-interest loan supporting NSW farmers to invest in permanent on-farm infrastructure that will manage adverse seasonal conditions, improve water efficiencies, ensure long-term sustainability, improve pasture & soil health, and improve farm productivity. Eligible producers can borrow up to $1 million per project at a 2.5% fixed interest rate for loans that can be repaid over 20 years. More HERE
On Farm Connectivity Program
Applications are now open for Round 1 of the Federal Government’s new On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) to increase the uptake of agtech to boost productivity, growth and sustainability of Australia’s primary producers.
The program will provide 50 per cent rebates for the cost of smart farming technology that can help to optimise soil quality and nutrient levels, monitor livestock, improve efficiency of water use, streamline farm logistics and boost customer connections throughout the world.
CLOSES: Friday 31 May 2024
For more details and to apply, click here.
Funding for sheep and goat eID transition
UPDATE: NSW Sheep and Goat eID Rebate for primary producers has been extremely popular. As of 16 February 2024, applications are no longer accepted for sheep auto drafters, due to funding allocated to these items being exhausted. Sheep producers may still apply for eID readers and related software. Farmed goat producers may still apply for eID readers and related software as well as goat-handling Equipment.Funding under this program is limited and applications will close when funds are exhausted.
NSW is moving to mandatory electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats to have eID systems in place by January 1, 2025. This move is driven by the increasing risk of biosecurity threats and their potential economic, community, and environmental impacts.
Accurate and timely livestock traceability is essential to enhance disease and residue response measures while safeguarding Australia's reputation as a producer of safe and sustainable agricultural products.
To support the adoption of eID tagging systems, the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) has introduced the $38 million NSW Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
Find out more about the NSW Sheep and Goat eID Rebate Scheme and the rollout of eID tagging at the NSW DPI Sheep and Goats eID webpage.
Farm Household Allowance
A payment for farming families in financial hardship.
To get this you must:
be a farmer or partner of a farmer
meet the income and assets test limits
meet mutual obligation requirements.
A farmer must contribute significant labour and capital to a farm.
Read more HERE and see the full conditions under who can get it.
Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
Wettenhall Trust Small Environmental Grant Scheme
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. We support grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups.
Learn more or apply at Small Environmental Grant Scheme – Wettenhall Environment Trust