Search Grants & Funding

When regional town and village supplies are threatened by circumstances that could not be reasonably planned for, such as an extreme dry period or extreme water quality event, the NSW Government can help local water utilities to ensure critical human water needs are met. The Water Utilities branch within NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment can provide technical assistance and advice to local water utilities, and support when applying for financial assistance from the government.

The government can help local water utilities by providing technical and/or financial assistance to assist in managing depleted or at risk supplies, including help to implement emergency capital works or to cart water to towns, depending on the particular situation.

Where the source of supply is at very high or imminent risk of failure or has failed as the result of an extreme event, undertaking emergency capital works may be the recommended course of action. Works can include constructing emergency bore supplies, creating a temporary or permanent connection to another water source or water supply scheme, temporary emergency capital works or developing new emergency water sources.

Apply now for a metering plan implementation grant and receive up to $100,000 to cover up to 50% of the costs of installing an energy metering and monitoring system. 

The objectives of this funding are to:

• improve energy performance in NSW businesses.
• enable businesses to identify, prepare and verify energy and emissions reduction projects.
• provide robust data to site managers to make informed investment decisions that help achieve net zero emissions objectives.
• demonstrate the link between energy metering and monitoring systems and energy and cost savings.

The Small Grants Program provides grants to support time critical Language activities by NSW Aboriginal not for profit Community orgs, groups, and Aboriginal sole traders, consistent with the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017.

Types of projects funded under this grant

• Community driven Language activities that support the growth and recognition of Aboriginal Language  
• Strengthening Aboriginal Community participation in Language activities state-wide or nationally  
• Meeting short term Language training and development costs of Aboriginal Community organisations and groups

The following NSW Aboriginal not for profit Community organisations and groups are eligible: 

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the (Commonwealth) Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006  
• a company incorporated in Australia under the (Commonwealth) Corporations Act 2001  
• an Incorporated Association (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ‘Association’ or ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc.’ in their legal name)  
• an Incorporated Cooperative (incorporated under state legislation, and commonly have ’Cooperative’ in their legal name)  
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust  
• a Local Aboriginal Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) 

The following NSW Aboriginal Sole Traders are eligible where they are: 

• an Aboriginal sole trader whose primary business activity relates to cultural expression or revitalisation (noting projects must not be profit-making in nature) 

The Australian Government and the governments of NSW, South Australia, Queensland and ACT have agreed to extend the 30 June 2024 delivery deadline to return the 450 GL of water to the environment under the Murray Darling Basin Plan to 31 December 2027.

The Australian Government’s Off-farm Efficiency Program is a $1.54 billion initiative to upgrade water infrastructure to reduce water losses and increase water available for the environment. The program has three streams including $1.33 billion for state-led projects (open) and $150 million for grants provided direct to applicants (now closed). A further $60 million is available for on-farm projects, however NSW Government will not progress applications under this stream.

Projects funded under the program will provide long-term benefits through improved water infrastructure and reduced water losses. Water users and the community will also benefit from increased water reliability and the creation of job opportunities.

The program aims to:

• improve and modernise water delivery systems and reduce water losses to increase the volume of available water for the environment, irrigation, urban and industrial networks, irrigators and communities
• drive employment and create infrastructure opportunities for local communities through funding arrangements for suitable projects
• deliver on the NSW Government’s commitment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan to contribute to the return of 450 GL to the environment by June 2024.

The program is open to individuals and entities in the irrigation, urban and manufacturing sectors across the Murray Darling Basin for projects that will achieve water efficiencies and return water to the environment.

The following types of projects are eligible to apply for funding under the program:

• Irrigation networks: installing new, or upgrading existing, irrigation infrastructure and technology in water delivery networks to supply water to irrigators, including permanently decommissioning inefficient or underused sections of a water delivery network
• Industrial or mining: constructing, replacing, upgrading, installing, improving, or refurbishing industrial water uses, including reducing leakage, for the purpose of using water for producing goods and services
• Urban: constructing, replacing, upgrading, installing, improving, or refurbishing urban water supply arrangements, including reducing leakage for the purpose of urban water supply
• Stock and domestic: improving stock and domestic water supply on one or more properties for the purpose of watering stock and supplying water for human use.

Feasibility funding is available to help identify early project opportunities to reduce water losses and increase water available for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin. This can include investigations into improving infrastructure, confirming water losses and savings, informing the potential costs of construction, and supporting formal discussions with stakeholders.

Some on-property projects are eligible such as the installation or replacement of pipes, tanks and troughs for stock and domestic systems These are considered ‘off-farm’ activities as stock and domestic water entitlements are not tradeable and do not impact the water market. Individuals or organisations proposing on-property stock and domestic projects to improve water delivery and reduce water losses are encouraged to contact winsw.programs@dpie.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage, may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $130,000.

This low interest rate loan can help a small business:

• return to its normal level of trading or until the next major income is received within 12 months from the date of disaster
• replace and repair damage caused to your small business and associated improvements not covered by insurance.

A repayment term of up to ten years is available dependent upon the amount borrowed and the applicant’s ability to repay.

The repayment term is preceded by a two-year interest and repayment free period.

A list of declared disasters and the associated closing dates for applications is available on the Rural Assistance Authority website.

Small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage, may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $130,000.

This low interest rate loan can help a small business:

• return to its normal level of trading or until the next major income is received within 12 months from the date of disaster
• replace and repair damage caused to your small business and associated improvements not covered by insurance.

A repayment term of up to ten years is available dependent upon the amount borrowed and the applicant’s ability to repay.

The repayment term is preceded by a two-year interest and repayment free period.

A list of declared disasters and the relevant application close dates are available of the Rural Assistance Authority's website.

Natural disaster relief loans assist voluntary non-profit organisations directly affected by a declared natural disaster including flood, fire or storm damage.

Low interest rate loans are available:

• for the restoration of essential facilities that have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster
• and may also be directed towards temporary storage or leasing of alternate premises

A repayment term of up to five years is available dependent upon the amount borrowed and the applicant’s ability to repay.

A list of declared disasters and the associated closing dates for applications is available on the Rural Assistance Authority website.

The Workplace Legal Advice Program provides eligible employers and employees with free independent legal help to deal with workplace issues. 

The service is only for employment issues that involve:

• dismissal
• general protections
• bullying at work
• sexual harassment at work.

Law firms with specialist workplace experience provide the advice. It is free and confidential.

From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will provide broad support to the economy through wage subsidies for eligible employers in priority occupations. Priority occupations are those listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List.

The objective of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program is to contribute a highly skilled and relevant Australian workforce that supports economic sustainability and competitiveness.

This is achieved by encouraging:

• genuine opportunities for skills-based training and development of employees; and
• people to enter into skills-based training through an Australian Apprenticeship.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program contains a range of payments. Eligibility criteria apply to all Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Incentives payments. Further information regarding eligibility can be obtained from your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

Support through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program is also provided to employers of Australian Apprentices working towards a Priority Occupation. The eligible Priority Occupations are Aged Care, Child Care, Disability Care Workers and Enrolled Nurses.

There are a range of financial and non-financial supports available, including:

• Commencement payments
• Retention payment
• Recommencement payment
• Completion payment
• Wage subsidy
• Identified skill shortage payment
• Assistance for apprentices with a disability

The award recognises research in the physical and biological sciences, allowing interdisciplinary and sociocultural research that could straddle the social sciences and humanities, by outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD students and early- and mid-career scientists. It aims to support their research and/or the expansion and growth of their research networks and international knowledge exchange through visits to relevant international centres of research.

Awards will be for up to $20,000, with additional support provided to attend the Academy's biennial Science at the Shine Dome event.

The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate and promote initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia as well as capture and share examples of resilience in action.

The awards recognise collaboration and innovative thinking across a broad range of sectors and initiatives that strengthen disaster resilience with communities, institutions, and the private sector. Innovative models and approaches that create sustainable change are highly regarded.

The awards endorse a wide range of initiatives; with past projects centred around risk assessment and mitigation, planning and preparation, and response and recovery.

Submissions for the 2024 awards program must relate to projects or initiatives that commenced after 1 January 2022 or demonstrate significant outcomes or enhancements since 1 January 2022. 

The Resilient Australia Awards is proudly sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with states and territories and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).

The objective of the program is to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families.

The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is to provide funding for projects and activities that:

• promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played
• preserve, add to the sum of knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.

Projects and activities relating to all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations are eligible.

The program aims to provide funding for projects and activities that are ready to proceed and where STS grant funding will ensure their completion. Projects must be able to be completed within 12 months of the funding agreement being executed.

There are 2 categories of grants available under the program:

Community Grants (CG)
Grants to a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities. These small grants are for projects and activities that are focused on the local community, commemorate the service and sacrifice of local community members, and are primarily accessed by the local community.

Some examples of CG projects and activities include:

• development of a digital honour roll
• restoration of an honour board
• purchase of a cabinet to display military memorabilia
• installation of a flagpole to display Australian National Flags on days of commemoration.

Major Grants (MG)
Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or broader regional perspective. These projects may include the construction of new war or peace memorials, where none currently exists, as well as additions to existing memorials.

Major Grants will have a much wider focus than CG category applications and must be commemorative of the service and sacrifice of service personnel beyond the local community, and/or consist of elements that are available to the whole nation, or residents of a state, territory, or broader regional area. A high monetary value project or activity does not necessarily mean that it is of national, state, territory and/or significant to a broader region.

Some examples of MG projects and activities include:

• construction of an interactive memorial walking track dedicated to Australian service personnel from the Vietnam War
• development of a digital honour roll and interpretive signage to commemorate the history of service personnel from a particular region
• publication of a book commemorating Australian service personnel from the Malayan Emergency
• development of a documentary commemorating Australian Prisoners of War.

Assessment and notification of outcomes will be divided into 3 batches closing in June 2024, October 2024 and February 2025.

If you are a primary producer, you may be entitled to claim an immediate deduction for capital expenses incurred on fencing and fodder storage assets.

Your deduction is limited to the capital expenses you incur for:

• construction
• manufacture
• installation
• acquisition.

The expense must have been incurred primarily and principally for use in a primary production business conducted on land in Australia.

his loan scheme aims to support plantation expansion across Australia and increase domestic wood supply and the growth of regional economies and communities.

Loans are available for:

• purchasing land for developing a plantation
• costs involved in establishing a plantation
• replanting bushfire damaged plantations as a result of the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires.

Eligible activities may include:

• purchase of land for developing a plantation
• site preparation
• fencing
• roading
• installing irrigation or drainage systems
• purchase and planting of seeds
• payment of labour
• insurance costs
• other working capital.

The Farm Management Deposit (FMD) Scheme assists primary producers to deal more effectively with fluctuations in cash flows. It is designed to increase the self-reliance of Australian primary producers by helping them manage their financial risk and meet their business costs in low-income years by building up cash reserves.

The scheme allows eligible primary producers to set aside pre-tax income which they can draw on in future years when they need it, such as for restocking or replanting when conditions start to improve.

Income deposited into an FMD account is tax deductible in the financial year the deposit is made. It becomes taxable income in the financial year in which it is withdrawn (repaid).