Search Grants & Funding

Traineeships are a proven pathway to well-paid jobs in a diverse range of careers. In NSW, traineeships are also fee free.

There are more than 390 traineeship courses funded in NSW, in a range of industries including early childhood, health and allied services, business, IT, hospitality and warehouse operations.

Fee free traineeships are available to NSW trainees – including school-based trainees whose training:

• is funded under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled Program
• commenced on or after 1 January 2020.

If you have previously commenced your Smart and Skilled traineeship training before 1 January 2020 and are returning to a traineeship after 1 January 2020, you will be eligible for fee free for the remainder of your training if your traineeship course or your employer has changed.

Each student is limited to a maximum of commencing three fee free traineeships under this initiative.

Low interest loans of up to $250,000 are available to primary producers in NSW to fund a broad range of products, activities and services aimed at improving drought preparedness and climate variability resilience.

The DRRF loan can be used to fund a broad range of purchases, activities and services as listed below:

Animal Welfare:

• purchasing and transporting fodder up to a maximum value of $100,000
• purchasing and transporting stock and domestic water
• purchasing livestock feed storage, mixing and feeding equipment
• transporting stock to sale or agistment
• veterinary/professional nutrition or animal welfare advice
• genetic banking where destocking of stock is demonstrated
• fencing for rotational grazing, exclusion and cluster fencing, construction of containment feeding pens, stock shade structures
• planting of trees.

Farm Preparedness:

• on-farm water infrastructure (tanks, stock water systems, pumps, new dam construction, drilling bores, irrigation efficiency upgrades, water conservation infrastructure)
• on-farm grain and fodder storage infrastructure (silos, grain bunkers, hay sheds, silage pits)
• livestock feeding equipment
• infrastructure repairs/maintenance (dams, channels, fencing)
• upgrades and additions to planting machinery (moisture seeking points and minimum til conversions).

Income diversification:

• income diversification funding to promote and finance diversified income streams within the farm gate
• funding to promote and finance alternative primary production income streams within the farm gate.

Environmental:

• pest and weed control
• on-farm solar power conversion to mitigate the impacts of drought
• soil conservation and earthworks (including erosion control, contour banks, overbanks (keyline), water ponding and the management of vegetation and maintaining groundcover)
• soil biology, or compost making equipment.

Training and Business Development:

• training and professional development activities that improve business resilience to drought
• professional consulting services directly related to drought preparedness, for example, animal nutrition consultation and planning.

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

• grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
• grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

An innovative product, process or service:

• is new, unique or significantly different to any other previous product, process or service in the market or industry where the product is intended to be sold/traded; or
•  involves significant enhancements or developments of current products, processes or services that will enable the business to scale and transform.

Early-stage commercialisation projects are intended to include the journey from feasibility studies and the development of proof-of-concept through to the production and testing of early prototypes in a simulated or theoretical environment. Testing should validate the commercial viability of the innovative product, process or service. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, early-stage commercialisation grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL3 to TRL6.

Commercialisation and growth projects are intended to include those that can already demonstrate completion of feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Projects are intended to include the journey of product, process or service development from early prototyping through to actual application in its final form, and the capability to scale up to full rate production and grow into new markets. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, commercialisation and growth grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL4 to TRL9.

eyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. 

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required. 

Over 6 sessions, your mental health coach will work with you to manage stress and overwhelm using straightforward problem-solving approaches.  

All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background so they understand your unique challenges. 

The mission of the Hamer Family Sprout Fund is “to build communities inspired to take action for a sustainable future”.

Their aim is to support projects and organisations that:

• Promote innovation in environmental education
• Facilitate engagement in environmental action
• Advocate for environmental sustainability
• Foster collaboration between young people engaged in environmental leadership

A total of $25,000 is available for the Sprout Grants each year. Up to $5,000 is available per project, however more (up to $10,000) may be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

Groups or individuals may submit more than one application if they have a number of eligible projects. However, preference may be given to applicants that have not already been allocated a grant within the current funding round.

These grants will help community broadcasters access funding for eligible projects when their regular grant rounds are closed.

Emergencies

• Replacing essential equipment and related expenses to restore basic transmission following an unforeseen event such as flood, bushfire, lightning or theft
• Replacing essential operational equipment and related expenses not able to be reasonably anticipated
• Unexpected changes at your studio or transmission site such as a sudden need to relocate
• A financial loan while an insurance claim is being processed and/or funds are raised
• Other costs associated with maintaining transmission and/or operations not able to be reasonably anticipated.

Opportunities

• A matched funding opportunity for a project
• Other costs associated with a time-limited opportunity

Grants will be considered outside of the normal grant rounds and you will receive advice about the outcome of your application within one week.

The Responsible Gambling Fund provides funding to support innovative projects that prevent and reduce gambling harm in communities across NSW.

The Office recognises opportunities for innovation and advancement can be led by a broad range of organisations. Support is prioritised for projects that advance the outcome areas of the Office’s Strategic Plan 2021-24 of education and awareness, leadership and influence, and services and support.

Support can be provided for one-off projects that address or enable unique opportunities to be put forward in the
areas of technology, prevention and harm minimisation. The Office encourages collaborative partnerships involving appropriate subject matter expertise to ensure that all projects are effective and strategic in their approach to preventing and reducing gambling harm.

The Office encourages proposals involving the development of preventing and reducing gambling harm. The Office is open to supporting a wide range of projects. For example, projects could include:

• the development of consumer products like apps or online tools that:
  • help people make informed choices
  • use geographic location or other indicators to support people at risk of harm
• projects that deliver gambling harm minimisation messaging in innovative ways—for example to a youth audience, or in the context of online sports betting.
• development of online training content that aims to minimise harm. For example a suite of animations that explain how odds work and the chance of winning.
• innovative application of ICT—for example the integration of existing tools and triage systems in health and welfare settings with gambling screening.

Road crashes are a major cost to Australians every year. Black Spot projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring. By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the programme reduces the risk of crashes. Programmes of this sort are very effective, saving the community many times the cost of the relatively minor road improvements that are implemented

The Black Spot Programme makes an important contribution in reducing the national road toll under the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.

The Australian Government has committed $500 million to the Black Spot Programme from 2014-15 to 2018-19, which includes an additional $200 million over two years from 2015-16 under the Infrastructure Growth Package to improve road safety across the nation.

The Government has announced changes to the programme’s eligibility criteria for 2015-16 and 2016-17 aimed at assisting local communities to compete for this additional funding over the next two years.

Under the new criteria, the minimum Benefit Cost Ratio for proposals has been reduced from 2:1 to 1:1. In addition, the minimum crash history of sites has been reduced from 3 to 2 casualty crashes over five years or 0.13 casualty crashes per kilometre per year over 5 years.

The criteria has also been amended to allow more funding for the proactive treatment of unsafe roads. Consultative Panels will able to allocate up to 40% of funding to sites on the basis of a road safety audit.

The Government has also guaranteed that at least 50 per cent of funding provided over the next two years will be dedicated to fixing roads in regional Australia.

Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. The program allows you to choose the level of support that meets your needs and the needs of your small business.

Self-Employment Assistance can help you with your business idea or existing business through its flexible services including:

• Exploring Self-Employment Workshops
• Business Plan Development
• Free accredited Small Business Training
• Business Advice Sessions
• Business Health Checks
• Small Business Coaching.

You may also be eligible for financial support while you start and run your business as part of Small Business Coaching.

The Regional NSW Business Concierge service provides support for businesses wishing to set up or expand their operations in Regional NSW.

This service provides expert advice to corporations and companies wanting to tap into a wider pool of skilled workers and lower their operating costs by relocating to regional NSW. The specialist team includes representatives from Office of Regional Economic Development, Investment NSW, Training Services NSW and the Regional Growth Development Corporation.

The service provides the following services: 

• Comparative analysis of multiple locations across regional NSW based on business requirements.
• Identification of suitable available office space.
• Assistance with business planning requirements including economic analysis and skills data.
• Assistance to identify and develop commercial opportunities in a specific industry sector or region.
• Coordination across key government agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Assistance in identifying business-to-business solutions and opportunities.
• Information on relocation requirements and introductions to support services.
• Advice on accessing grants and other financial incentives.

The aim of this program is to provide regional and remote communities with access to essential air services that can in turn connect these smaller communities with the rest of Australia. The Scheme supports regional commercial airlines operating low volume and new routes to regional and remote communities; as well as aeromedical providers.

The Government's policy for aviation encourages the growth of regional aviation services across Australia and the expansion of the current network by giving impetus for operators to test whether a new route can be commercially viable in time.

To be eligible for the commercial passenger component of the program:
    The airline has a current Australian air transport (formerly Regular Public Transport (RPT) Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that authorises scheduled air transport operations on the route and authorises the aircraft / aircraft type for air transport services;
    Services are to be operated as scheduled air transport operations (charter services are NOT eligible);
    The route is to be to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC);

• The route is serviced by a single operator;
• The route has no more than 15,000 passenger movements per annum;
• The route does not otherwise receive a subsidy for flight costs from any level of government;
• The proposed route is shown to have an economic and/or social impact on the community; and
• The aircraft type used on the route has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 15,000Kg or less.

Applicants flying commercial routes can obtain assistance of up to 60 per cent of the enroute charge; and up to 100 per cent for new routes for a period of up to three years

To be eligible for the aeromedical component of the program:

• The airline can demonstrate its engagement as a contracted aeromedical provider;
• The airline has an AOC that authorises these services;
• The aeromedical services are conducted using aircraft listed on the airline's AOC as being for this purpose;
• The aircraft used has a MTOW of 15,000Kg or less; AND
• Services operated by the airline are anticipated to include services to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).

Please refer to the Guidelines for more details on Eligibility.

The program provides funding with the intention of empowering community and creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.

CAGES Foundation will intentionally seek to fund DGR 1 organisations with high levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, influence, identity and leadership. The foundation’s principle around self-determination is best enacted through supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led organisations however they also recognise the need to build skills and capabilities in these organisations and the communities they exist in. They believe an effective way to do this is to support respectful partnerships between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations where two-way learning and capacity building at an organisational and community level is intentional.

The Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program (IAP) is an entry-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join the Australian Public Service (APS).

Since its inception, the IAP has provided over 2,100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people opportunities to start a career in the APS. These are people with diverse backgrounds including school-leavers, people finishing study and people looking for a new career. The program is a great way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join and contribute to the public service.

Participants gain valuable skills and experience throughout the program, working alongside dedicated people and teams.

This program consists of:

• Full-time work and study: Gain valuable experience while working and studying towards a formal qualification. 
• Variety of roles: Work in different positions depending on your placement agency. 
• Training and development: Access structured training to help you build your skills. 
• Support throughout: Benefit from support provided by your Indigenous mentor, buddy, and study resources to ensure your success. 

Working with the Australian Government offers excellent benefits, including:

• Meaningful Work: Contribute to your community from day one and see the impact you make. 
• Career Advancement: Complete a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Government, depending on your role. 
• Support Network: Get help from your manager, an Indigenous mentor, a buddy, and more. We’re committed to your success. 
• Attractive Salary and Superannuation: Enjoy a competitive salary and generous superannuation benefits. 
• Study Support: Study during work hours to help you complete your qualification.

Grants are available to eligible events that have previously received triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream to support initiatives that have a direct impact on increasing overnight visitation to the event.

The Event Development stream supports the strategic growth of proven events that demonstrate a clear rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential.

Applications for the 2023-24 Event Development stream are now open and will remain open until available funds are exhausted. Applications to the Event Development stream must be received by Destination NSW in sufficient time prior to the next event to allow for assessment and delivery of the initiative for which funding has been requested.

The Bridges Renewal Program is an Australian Government initiative to fund the upgrade and replacement of bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access.

Up until now, these programs invited applications separately through specified, time-limited funding rounds. The Australian Government will now consider projects on an ongoing basis with applications accepted all year round to provide increased flexibility and permit projects to be submitted when they will most benefit Australia’s bridges and heavy vehicle infrastructure.