Funding Opportunities
$100,000 Drought Relief Loan
The NSW Government’s Drought Relief Loan of up to $100,000 is now open for applications. This new loan is designed to make it easier to access funds when needed most. It features an upfront payment option, reduced documentation requirements, and no requirement for property as loan security.
Loan terms
• Amount available: Up to $100,000
• Upfront payment: Up to $25,000
• Security: Not required
• Drawdown period: 6 months
• Current interest rate: 4.66% per annum, fixed
• Repayment term: 5 years
Eligible farm businesses
The loan is available to eligible sole traders, partnerships, trusts or private companies operating in the primary production sector in NSW.
To be eligible, applicants must earn at least 50% of gross income or at least $75,000 in one year from the primary production business.
Eligible expenses
Loans can be used for a broad range of expenses relating to:
• animal welfare
• on-farm infrastructure
• environmental improvements.
Eligible expenses, the Program Guidelines and the Application process are via the RAA website HERE
FRRR Rebuilding Futures: Stream 1 Recovery and Resilience
CLOSES 16 April 2026
Funding will support applications that are clearly focused on the medium to long-term recovery and resilience building of the local community.
The Rebuilding Futures program seeks to support communities to strengthen their resilience through long-term recovery from a significant disaster by undertaking community-identified and community-led recovery, prevention and preparedness activities for public benefit.
A broad range of community led initiatives will be supported to achieve at least one of the following:
• Assist in the recovery from disaster impact; or
• Strengthen prevention and preparedness for the future.
AND evidence outcomes of 1 or more of the 7 critical dimensions for building community resilience: Inclusion; Networks; Communication; Information; Self-Organising Systems, Local decision making; and/or Resources. Read more HERE
Primary producers can claim an immediate deduction for capital expenses on fencing & fodder storage.
Fence and fencing asset includes an enclosure or barrier, usually made of metal or wood, around or along a field or paddock and includes posts, rails, wire, droppers, gates, fittings and anchor assemblies.
Fodder and fodder storage asset includes a structural improvement, a repair of a capital nature, or an alteration, addition or extension, to an asset or structural improvement, that is a fodder storage asset. Read more HERE
Wettenhall Environmental Trust grants
ONGOING
$2000 to $15,000 grants to support grassroots organisations, individuals and academics for projects making a positive difference to the biodiversity conservation in land, sea or air, rural or urban areas.
Expressions of Interest are due:
15th June 2026 (for funding in August 2026)
14th September 2026 (for funding in November 2026)
14th December 2026 (for funding in February 2027) Read more HERE
The Purves Environmental Fund enables and empowers people to work together to achieve meaningful impact in environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
Ongoing
The fund aims to:
• Act as a catalyst to change
• Fill gaps in effecting change
• Break down barriers to action
• Support the creation of new thinking and practice
• Provide bold leadership Read more HERE
The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund is designed to bolster the resilience of NSW farmers to future adverse weather events and climatic conditions, such as drought.
If you’re an eligible farm business in NSW, you can apply for a NSW Rural Assistance Authority loan of up to $250,000 through the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund. This funding helps farmers prepare for, manage, and recover from drought by covering essential products, services, and activities, including:
• Animal welfare: Fodder and water transport, storage and mixing equipment, stock transport, genetic banking, and related professional services.
• Farm preparedness: Infrastructure improvements for water, grain, and fodder storage, plus livestock feeding equipment, repairs, and maintenance.
• Income diversification: Investments to develop new or alternative income streams on your farm.
• Environmental improvements: Pest and weed control, solar power upgrades, earthworks, soil conservation, and soil biology enhancement.
• Training and business development: Access to professional consulting and training aimed at boosting your business resilience and decision-making skills. Read more HERE
Elders Community Giving Program
CLOSES 21 May 2026
The Project supports initiatives that provide sustainable, tangible and long-term benefits with positive outcomes for Australian rural, regional and remote communities.
In turn this builds capacity, longevity, liveability and connection in the regions in which we operate.
Based on six distinct pillars, the project offers a total of 12 grants, with two tiers of funding at $10,000 and $20,000 per grant. Read more HERE
Facing financial uncertainty?
RFCSNR help primary producers secure a successful future.
We provide free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses
Funded by the Australian Government and New South Wales Government.Rural Financial Counsellors (RFC) are qualified professionals who can provide support that is unique to the farmer's situation, at no cost to the client. They will listen and help develop an action plan with the necessary steps to get out of financial difficulty. For immediate help with household expenses, facilitation of farm debt mediation, or emergency assistance following a natural disaster, your local Rural Financial Counselling Service can provide information on the full range of government assistance programs. Read more on the RFCS Northern Region Website or call 1800 344 090
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 about the program or read full conditions HERE.
Landholders who are members of Land for Wildlife can apply at any time for a Landholder Biodiversity Grant.
As a Land for Wildlife Member, you can apply for $2,000/year. Land for Wildlife members can apply for up to three years with each year being a new application. If demand for the program is high, you may only be successful in one year. Years two and three applications will be considered after successful acquittal of previous year. Read more HERE
$1,000 SafeWork small business rebate - (now includes agricultural drones)
If you are a small business owner in NSW, this $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers, including managing or eliminating hazards and risks that may cause serious injury, illness or death at work. Read more HERE