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.

Biosecurity

Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is seeking applications for project funding for a period of four years for a Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (centre).  A funding grant of up to $1,972,300 per annum (inc GST) for four years will be available to the successful applicant to operate a centre from July 2013 following a competitive application process. More information...

Live Animal Exports

Approved Supply Chain Improvements Program

The Australian Government’s Approved Supply Chain Improvements Program aims to support industry to implement improvements in animal welfare standards for livestock exports necessary to meet the new regulatory framework.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Australian Government’s primary natural resource management program. It aims to achieve an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed, resilient, and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.

In its initial five years (2008–2013), Caring for our Country provided around $2 billion in funding for natural resource management. The review of the first phase of Caring for our Country found that the initiative has been effective in setting and delivering Australian Government investment priorities and is on track to deliver on its five–year outcomes and contribute to improving the condition of our natural resources at the landscape scale. The first phase of Caring for our Country will finish on 30 June .

In May 2012, the Australian Government announced $2.2 billion funding for the second phase of Caring for our Country (2013–2018), which will be delivered through two separate, but complementary streams – sustainable agriculture and sustainable environment. This will allow for greater efficiency and focused delivery of our priorities in line with the government’s broader sustainability agenda.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will deliver the Sustainable Agriculture stream and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) will deliver the Sustainable Environment stream.  

About the Sustainable Agriculture stream

Over the next five years, the Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture stream will focus on ensuring Australia’s agricultural base is sustainable, productive and resilient. The strategic objectives are:

  • sustainable production of food
  • innovation in Australian agriculture and fisheries practices
  • reduced impact of weeds and pests on agriculture
  • improved management of agriculture and fisheries and the natural resource base
  • a skilled and capable Landcare community.

The design of the Sustainable Agriculture stream draws upon the extensive community feedback received during the review of Caring for our Country and consultation on the design of the new program.

Community Landcare Grants

Community Landcare Grants is part of the Australian Government’s $2.2 billion Caring for our Country initiative under the Sustainable Agriculture stream. The grants (of between $5000 and $50 000) are targeted at local community–based groups who want to take action to help achieve a sustainable, productive, profitable and resilient agricultural base. Community Landcare Grants aim to help build a skilled and capable Landcare community, encourage community participation and engagement in Landcare, share information and learnings in sustainable agricultural techniques, reduce the spread of pest species, and encourage the adoption of improved sustainable land management practices.

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 Weeds

The 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.

Fisheries

Recreational Fishing Community grants program

Available funds provided by the Australian Government have been allocated through five rounds of grants.

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.

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.

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.

Last reviewed:
24 Jan 2013
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