National Water Grid Fund 2025

The Australian Government, through the National Water Grid Fund, makes funding available for priority water infrastructure projects to improve the reliability and security of water for Australia’s regional and remote towns, agriculture and primary industry sectors. 

The NSW Government is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) for participation in the next round of National Water Grid funding applications, likely in June 2025. EOIs for the next funding round must be submitted no later than 11:00 pm (AEDT) on Thursday 27 February 2025.

This scheme includes funding for new infrastructure and invests in scientific research to drive long-term, economically sound, environmentally sustainable and culturally responsive benefits for local communities. It also includes funding crucial water security projects in regional and remote First Nations communities as part of Closing the Gap. 

This program is administered by the Australian Government and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Projects are funded exclusively by the Australian Government who is the final decision maker on funding applications.

Projects must serve rural and regional NSW to be eligible for funding.

Who can apply:

• local council / authority (including County Councils and Joint Organisations)
• water utility
• irrigation water supply corporation or trust
• First Nations organisation
• science agency
• NSW Government Department; or
• private corporations, where the project has multiple beneficiaries.

Location that are eligible include Albury City, Armidale Regional, Ballina, Balranald, Bathurst Regional, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Berrigan, Bland, Blayney, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Byron, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Coast, Central Darling, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Coolamon, Coonamble, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Dungog, Edward River, Eurobodalla, Federation, Forbes, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Hay, Hilltops, Inverell, Junee, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lachlan, Leeton, Lismore, Lithgow City, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western Regional, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Narrabri, Narrandera, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro Regional, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth Regional, Temora, Tenterfield, Tweed, Unincorporated Far West, Upper Hunter, Upper Lachlan Shire, Uralla, Wagga Wagga, Walcha, Walgett, Warren, Weddin, Wentworth, Wingecarribee, Yass Valley