Search Grants & Funding

A natural disaster assistance transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event. This subsidy pays for the cost of transporting:

• fodder and/or water to an affected property
• stock to sale or slaughter
• stock to/from agistment.

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

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.

Major Project Status is the Australian Government’s recognition of the national significance of a project – for economic growth, employment or for regional Australia.

If your project gets Major Project Status, you’ll get extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA). This includes help with coordination and facilitation of Commonwealth Government approvals. Your project may need a range of approvals such as environmental, biosecurity or foreign investment approvals.

Most projects have Major Project Status for 3 years.

If approved, you will get:

• A single entry point for Commonwealth Government approvals
• Project support and coordination
• Help with state and territory approvals

To be eligible, the project must have an estimated investment of more than $50 million and meet the following criteria:

1. The project is of strategic significance to Australia
2. The project requires Commonwealth Government approvals or involvement
3. The project has sufficient financial resources and is commercially viable

The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) helps people with disabilities and mental health conditions to buy work related modifications and services.

The EAF is available to people with disability who are about to start a job or who are currently working, as well as people who need help to find and prepare for a job. It is also available to people with disability who are self-employed, and jobseekers who need Auslan assistance, or special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job.

To be eligible for the EAF, the person with disability must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• be currently in a job that is expected to continue for 13 weeks or more
• be working at least eight hours per week, or 20 hours per week if self-employed
• have an ongoing disability that has lasted, or will last at least two years. Your disability must limit, restrict or impair your ability to work.

Payroll tax customers have the option of deferring their payroll tax payments until 14 January 2022. All customers are still required to lodge the 2020/21 annual reconciliation by the due date which has been extended to 14 January 2022. In addition, customers have the option of deferring their monthly payments for the July to December 2021 return periods until 14 January 2022.

From 13 December 2021, customers will be able to establish a Support Payment Arrangement for up to 12 months. The plan will be interest free and customers will have the option to include tax payable from the 2020/21 annual reconciliation and any monthly liabilities for July to December 2021 return periods.

The initiative also includes a 50% reduction in 2021/22 payroll tax liability for business with grouped Australian wages of $10 million or less who experience a 30 per cent decline in turnover.

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.

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.

If you’ve been affected by a bushfire, storm or flood, we can help you with everyday legal problems including insurance claims and disputes, financial hardship, tenancy and Centrelink.

An Early Resolution Assistance (ERA) approval of $2000 in professional fees is available for legal services and up to an additional $5000 is available for disbursements. Funding extensions are available in reasonable circumstances. An eligible business or primary producer with more than one bushfire related legal matter may receive more than one approval for legal services and related expenses.

Eligible LGAs in the Northern Inland are:

• Armidale
• Glen Innes Severn
• Inverell
• Tenterfield
• Walcha

The funding is available for legal issues including, but not limited to:

• Insurance disputes
• Commercial leases
• Contract disputes
• Planning and building law
• Local Government disputes
• Entitlements to government grants and schemes
• Credit and debt
• Banking
• Fencing issues
• Property law
• Employment law issues for employers

To be eligible for funding under the Scheme, the applicant must be:

• A primary producer or small business owner.
• With a farm or business located in a designated LGA.
• With a legal issue arising from the 2019/2020 bushfire season in one of the designated LGAs.

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.

The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) is an Australian Government initiative to fund infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia.
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.

The REPAIR Program provides funds to assist councils in carrying out larger rehabilitation and development works on regional roads. The aim of the REPAIR Program is to minimise the long term maintenance costs of these roads in line with their function and usage.

Under the REPAIR Program, councils can apply for a 50 per cent contribution from the State Government for specific works. Works must be completed by 30 June in the financial year in which funds were provided.

Works must contribute to at least one of the following:

• Economic development
• Integrity of communities
• Road network efficiency
• Regional tourism
• Road safety

The REPAIR Program targets the following types of work in order of priority:

Rural areas

• Road pavement rehabilitation
• Sealing shoulders / widening
• Bridge repairs and replacement
• Provision of initial seals that contribute to minimising long-term maintenance costs

Urban areas

• Road pavement rehabilitation and travel lanes
• Bridge repairs and replacement
• Development of travel lanes

The BIERP provides a funding mechanism for repair or replacement of recreational boating infrastructure that is lost or damaged in natural events such as storms and floods and extends assistance to events such as acts of vandalism, theft or accidental damage.

Funding requests for emergency repairs can be received at any time by completing and submitting the relevant application form and supporting documentation.

Repair or replacement of publicly owned recreational boating facilities may be eligible for funding under the BIERP. These facilities include recreational jetties and wharves, boat ramps, pontoons, pump out facilities, slipways, storage facilities, parking areas and some supporting amenities, provided that the asset owner has appropriately insured and
maintained the asset. Funding for boating infrastructure that is owned by a registered club or voluntary organisation may also be considered, provided that the facility significantly benefits boaters and is publicly accessible.

The Traffic Route Lighting Subsidy Scheme (TRLSS) is a scheme administered by Roads and Maritime Services whereby councils may apply for a subsidy for providing a higher level of lighting than might normally be provided on certain major routes, with the aim of decreasing night time road crashes. The amount of the subsidy depends on the number of certain types of inventory installed as detailed by each council.

The NSW Government will offer $3,000 rebates for the first 25,000 new full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), purchased for a dutiable value of less than $68,750 that are registered on or after 1 September 2021.