Current grants and assistance
Current grants and assistance packages are available under the following programs:
Information about grants can also be found on Grantslink.
Information about grants awarded can be found at Grants reporting requirements.
Rural Australia
Drought pilot
The Australian Government, in partnership with the Western Australian Government, is conducting a pilot of drought reform measures in part of Western Australia. More information...
Drought assistance
The Australian Government is lending practical support to drought affected farmers and rural communities through income support, interest rate relief, and free personal and financial counselling. More information...
- Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grants
- Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
- Rural Financial Counselling Service
Flood assistance
The Australian Government Disaster Assist website has been set up to give individuals and families better access to information about recovery assistance following a disaster. This website will have up to date public information messages, relevant free call numbers, information on Australian Government Assistance Packages offered and links to other relevant websites and information. More information...
Food programs
The department has finalised three new Australian Government grant programs, totalling $40 million, to help boost the productivity, profitability and global competiveness of Australian food businesses. More information...
- Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program
- Promoting Australian Produce
- Promoting Australian Produce (Major Events)
Carbon Farming Futures Program
The Carbon Farming Futures program is part of the Land Sector Package under the Australian Governments’ Clean Energy Future plan. Under Carbon Farming Futures, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry will administer programs that will fund research, on-farm demonstration, and extension and outreach activities to help farmers and land managers benefit from carbon farming.
Climate Change Adjustment Program
The Climate Change Adjustment Program is part of Australia’s Farming Future and will assist primary producers adapt and adjust to the impacts of climate change. Adjustment advice and assistance will be available to eligible primary producers adversely impacted or likely to be, impacted by climate change, including those experiencing hardship caused by drought. More information...
The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI)
The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) is an Australian Government scheme to help farmers, forest growers and land managers earn income from reducing emissions like nitrous oxide and methane through changes to agricultural and land management practices. Under CFI the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry will administer two programs that will fund research and demonstration of how biochar can be used in Australia to mitigate green house gas emissions, and provide farmers, land managers and their key influencers with credible, clear and consistent information on the CFI.
Climate Change Research Program
The Climate Change Research Program funds research projects and on-farm demonstrations to help prepare Australia’s primary industries for climate change and build the resilience of our agricultural sector into the future. Research focuses on reducing greenhouse pollution, better soil management and climate change adaptation, and involves projects that provide practical management solutions to farmers and industries. More information...
FarmReady
The Australian Government's FarmReady program aims to boost training opportunities for primary producers and Indigenous land managers, and enable industry, farming groups and natural resource management groups develop strategies to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change. Two types of support are available:
Community Networks and Capacity Building
For people living and working in rural, regional and remote Australia the changing climate provides challenges but also offers opportunities. Community Networks and Capacity Building (CNCB), a component of Australia’s Farming Future, aims to build the leadership and representative capacity of target groups to strengthen community resilience and the productivity of primary industries.
Natural resources
Caring for our Country
Caring for our Country is the Government's natural resource management initiative. It integrates delivery of the Commonwealth's previous natural resource management programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and environmental program. In its initial five years, Caring for our Country provides around $2 billion in funding for natural resource management.
Caring for our Country also incorporates the delivery of a range of other natural resource management funding elements including Community Coastcare, World Heritage, regional investments and relevant 2007 election commitments.
Caring for our Country focuses on achieving strategic results in six national priorities:
- the National Reserve System
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices
- natural resource management in northern and remote Australia, and
- community skills, knowledge and engagement.
The Australian Government calls for investment proposals for projects through annual Caring for our Country business plans.
Community Action Grants are the small grants component of the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative that aims to help community groups take action to conserve and protect their natural environment. The grants are targeted towards established community-based organisations which have sustainable farming and/or protecting and enhancing the natural environment as their principal objective; and to established and emerging Indigenous organisations.
Natural resources funding programs
There are a number of natural resource funding programs offered by the Australian Government. More information...
Pest animal management
The Australian Government is supporting research and extension projects which develop and promote improved approaches to the management and monitoring of agricultural pest animals.
Sleeper WeedsThe Australian Government has committed $15.3 million over four years, from 2008-09 to 2011-12, to establish an Australian Weeds Research Centre. This will be the centrepiece of a new comprehensive National Weeds Research and Productivity program that will reduce the impact of invasive plants on farm and forestry productivity and also on biodiversity. More information...
Fisheries
Recreational Fishing Community grants program
Available funds provided by the Australian Government have been allocated through five rounds of grants. More information...
Forestry
Asia—Pacific Forestry Skills and Capacity Building Program
The Asia—Pacific Forestry Skills and Capacity Building Program (the Program) is part of the Australian Government’s International Forest Carbon Initiative (IFCI). Phase II of the Program seeks to build regional capacity for delivering sustainable forest management in support of efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, in support of the IFCI.
Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement Contractors Voluntary Exit Grants Program
Applications are now open for the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement Contractors Voluntary Exit Grants Program (IGACEP).
Under the IGACEP, $45 million has been allocated for grants and delivery costs to provide for voluntary exits from public Tasmanian forest operations for haulage, harvest and silvicultural contractors. This funding will be provided in the 2011–2012 financial year. Applications close Thursday 24 November at 5pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time).
International Trade and Market Access
Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership
Available funds provided under the Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership have been allocated for this financial year. Further funding will be available in 2011. More information…
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences
Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Science and Innovation Awards are open to 18 to 35 year olds for projects on an innovative or emerging scientific issue, including biophysical and social sciences. Projects will help contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries or forestry industries, including food and sustainable natural resource management.
Applications have now closed. More information...
16 Jan 2012