Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter - October 2022

Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter where you will find details of grant and funding programs that are available for the Northern Inland Region for businesses and infrastructure projects.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs. These newsletters are a free service that we provide, and can you can add the Community Funding Opportunities and Awards Programs newsletter to your subscriptions by filling your details into the subscription form in the footer of our website : www.rdani.org.au

We wish you all the best with the Funding Opportunities below and if you are looking for a grant between newsletters, have a look at the grants area of our website which is updated weekly: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/grants-and-funding-opportunities.php

If you need some facts and figures for your applications, a range of data for our region is also available on our website here: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/regional-data.php

Please note the below information is intended as a guide only. Closing dates and other details should be verified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

Featured Grants

Regional Investment Activation Fund - Stream Two
Ongoing Until Program Closes: 31st of December 2024 or until expended
Value: $1 Million to $10 Million
Run By: NSW Government Department of Regional NSW

This grant supports projects that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location. Projects may be recommended for funding support under the Regional Investment Activation Fund.

The $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund will co-invest with eligible entities on projects that will deliver, significant economic, social and/or environmental benefits for a priority industry or location.

To be eligible for funding through Stream Two of the Regional Investment Activation Fund, projects must:

• Be located in one of the 93 regional NSW local government areas, the Unincorporated Far West or Lord Howe Island. Projects located in Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Wollondilly), Newcastle or Wollongong Local Government Areas are not eligible
• Demonstrate the project would not occur in regional NSW at all, or in the same timeframe without government investment support
• Be delivered and operational by 30 May 2025. It is recommended applicants have a COVID plan in place to mitigate any potential delays due to COVID-19
• Support sustainable employment opportunities and drive increased productivity, innovation and competitiveness of businesses in regional NSW priority industries or in a location of strategic importance
• Deliver significant economic, social and/or environmental benefits for a priority industry or location
• Provide proof of $20 million of public liability insurance at time of contracting
• Secure approvals to meet project timeframes
• Confirm secured cash co-contribution
• Not be suitable for financial support under other Australian and/or NSW Government funding programs, or requires a NSW Government funding co-contribution to support an application to another government or industry program.

 

Conservation Partners Grant
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: NSW Government Biodiversity Conservation Trust

Conservation partners grants provide financial assistance to landholders in managing their conservation area, allowing them to improve the biodiversity value of their properties.

The following activities are eligible:

• assisted regeneration and weed control (as part of assisted regeneration strategy)
• fencing to secure conservation area, control grazing from livestock, to enable restoration of native vegetation
• introduced pest animal control
• revegetation (including supplementary planting)
• habitat restoration—such as installation of nest boxes and artificial hollows, or additional ground cover layer and habitat structure
• Saving our Species management actions
• other maintenance—such as repairs to existing feature required to maintain conservation values
• native vegetation restoration planning to guide assisted regeneration or revegetation
• project / grant management by third party(s)

 

Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority

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 Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Transport costs up to 1,500km
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority

This program provides funding assistance to organisations that donate and transport donated fodder to a central location within NSW for the benefit of three or more primary producers with livestock, in the event of a natural disaster. This contributes to an outcome of quicker recovery from natural disaster.

The scheme will pay for the costs of donating and transporting donated fodder to affected properties or storage facilities in a central location up to a maximum of distance of 1,500 kilometres.

Closing in October

Destination Australia Program - 2023 - Round 4
Closes: 31st of October 2022
Value: $16,500 per student
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Supports tertiary education providers in regional areas to provide scholarships to domestic and international students.

Closing in November

Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grants
Closes: 11th of November 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: Based on Number of Chargers Installed
Run By: NSW Government Energy Saver
Co-funding for businesses at eligible destinations to purchase and install electric vehicle chargers.

Closing Later

Linkage Program : Linkage Projects - 2022
Closes: 13th of December 2022
Run By: Australian Research Council
Supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research and industry alliances for commercial or other benefits.

Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement
Closes: 30th of April 2023
Value: $250,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Supports Australian businesses with domestic or international supply chain opportunities by providing grant funds for building their capacity, skills and capabilities.

1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding
Closes: 30th of June 2023 , or when exhausted
Value: Up to $56,000 (GST exclusive) over two years
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Tranche Two provides a subsidy for new jobs for Community Development Program participants in remote Australia to support economic development.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants
Ongoing Until Closes: 30th of June 2023
Value: $15,000 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Helps Australian SMEs to invest in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry.

Critical Producer Grant
Closes: 30th of June 2023 - 5:00 pm or Until Expended
Value: $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Regional NSW
Help primary producers and primary production enterprises impacted by the February and March 2022 NSW Severe Weather and Flooding events to rebuild and recover.

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant - 2022-23
Closes: 30th of June 2023 - 5:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $40,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
A range of strategies to develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities.

COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - Phase 3
Closes: 30th of June 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: $20,000 to $23.42 Million Estimated
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Supports Local Councils to create jobs by delivering priority local road and community infrastructure projects.

Regional and Remote Airports Security Awareness Program
Closes: 30th of May 2024 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $5,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Re-imbursement based funding to support regional and remote airports to meet requirements of the Screener Accreditation Scheme.

Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program - 2022 to 2024
Closes: 30th of June 2024
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Broad support program for eligible employers who employ apprentices in priority occupations.

Regional Investment Activation Fund - Stream Two
Ongoing Until Program Closes: 31st of December 2024 or until expended
Value: $1 Million to $10 Million
Run By: NSW Government Department of Regional NSW
Supports regional projects that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location.

Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots Program
Closes: 31st of December 2026 or until expended
Value: $1 Million to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Support pilot projects for microgrids in Regional Australia.

Ongoing

Advancing Renewables Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses.

AgBiz Drought Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
A concessional loan if your small business is currently or has been supplying goods or services relating to primary production to farm businesses in an affected area.

Australian Government's Youth Jobs PaTH
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $11,000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active
Helps employers find and recruit the right young person for their business by facilitating trials and providing a wage subsidy of up to $10,000 if you hire them.

Black Spot Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the programme reduces the risk of road crashes.

CSIRO Kick-Start
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000 matched funding
Run By: CSIRO
Funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.

Dreamstarter - Grants for Growth
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
Provides ING Dreamstarter Alumni with access to funding to accelerate the growth of their businesses and increase their positive social impact. 

Drought Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Concessional loan to help farm businesses in the agriculture, horticulture, pastoral, apiculture, or aquaculture industryto prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought.

English Family Foundation - Ingnitor Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: English Family Foundation
Supports Australian social enterprise change makers who are finding new and innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing issues within their local communities.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme- SMART Projects and Supply Chains
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Tailored advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides access to a skilled advisor who will work with you to develop an improvement plan for an identified supply chain opportunity and support you as you implement the plan.

Farm Investment Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
You can apply for this loan if you solely or mainly sell products into supply chains that are interstate or outside Australia, or plan to in the future.

Get Connected Listing for Tourism Businesses
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Website Listing
Run By: Destination NSW
Provides tourism operators with the opportunity to showcase your tourism products on Destination NSW’s consumer websites for free.

Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant
Closes: Ongoing rounds through the year
Value: Up to $140,000
Run By: Impact Investing Australia
Provides impact businesses and mission-driven organisations with grants for business, financial, legal and other capacity building support from providers to secure investment.

Indigenous Business Australia
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Financial support and advice
Run By: Indigenous Business Australia
Assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access the skills, knowledge and resources required to start and grow viable and sustainable businesses.

Innovation Connections
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: AusIndustry
Provides small and medium sized businesses with access to expert technology advice to address technology and knowledge gaps, and collaborate with the research sector in developing new ideas with commercial potential.

Landing Pads for Start Ups
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Support
Run By: Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Assists market-ready scaleups take their business globalby providing an operational base and customised support for their overseas expansion goals.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Income Assistance and Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Employment
NEIS is a program delivered by a network of 21 providers who provide individualised help for job seekers to become self-employed business owners.

Newsagents Assistance Fund
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Fair Trading
The Newsagents Assistance Fund assists eligible agents to update their NSW Lotteries retail image and fit-out to align with the NSW Lotteries brand.

Regional Investment Attraction - Investment Concierge
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Support
Run By: NSW Government
Grants and interest-free loans targeted at offsetting government levies and duties, such as payroll tax, to eligible businesses that want to invest and grow in regional NSW, which will lead to new jobs.

Regional Skills Relocation Grant
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000 per worker
Run By: NSW Government Department of Regional NSW
Support for the costs of relocating skilled staff from metropolitan centres around Australia to Regional NSW.

Safe and Secure Water Program
Closes: Ongoing until expended
Value: No minimum or maximum, $1 Billion total pool
Run By: NSW Government
Co-funds eligible water and sewerage projects that deliver economic growth in regional NSW through improvements to public health, water security, environmental outcomes and/or social benefits.

Tradex Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Varies based on the the goods imported
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides an upfront exemption from Customs duty and GST for eligible goods imported to Australia that are then exported within one year or other approved period.

Business Connect
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Advice and Support
Run By: NSW Government
A dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.

Disaster Relief Loans - Primary producers
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $130,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans for primary producers who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage,

SafeWork Small business rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $1,000
Run By: SafeWork NSW
Provides up to $500 to small business owners and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer.

Ladies in Livestock Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
Delivers hands-on, practical skills to women as independent land stewards with a keen interest in agriculture, to work and make decisions on properties.

Disaster Relief Loans - Small business
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $130,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans for small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage,

Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
A transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - Growth Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $2,500 to $20,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Funding to help improve specific business areas that have been been recommended in a roadmap or plan by a facilitator through a Growth Service in the Entrepreneurs' Programme.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - Growth Roadmap
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Expert Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
provides an analysis of your business carried out on-site by an independent and skilled growth facilitator to develop a Growth Roadmap.

Major Project Status
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Government Support
Run By: Major Projects Facilitation Agency
Formally recognises the significance of a project to the Australian economy and provides extra support and coordinated approvals.

Accelerating Commercialisation
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides expert guidance and support to help you commercialise novel products, processes and services and find a commercialisation solution.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - High Growth Accelerator
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Expert Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides access to skilled and experienced facilitators for up to two years to help your business develop the skills, knowledge, strategies and connections to accelerate growth.

Employment Assistance Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Job Access
Assists people with disabilities and mental health conditions to buy work related modifications and services.

Workplace Legal Advice Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Fair Work Ombudsman
Provides eligible employers and employees with free independent legal help to deal with workplace issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak. 

Bridges Renewal Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funding to upgrade and replaceme of bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access.

Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funds infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia.

NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: SafeWork NSW
Support for farmers and businesses to improve quad bike safety by investing in key safety items.

Minimum Viable Product Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $25,000
Run By: NSW Government
Supports pre-revenue technology startups to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market.  

Regional Roads REPAIR Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Transport for NSW
assist councils in carrying out larger rehabilitation and development works on regional roads.

Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool (BIERP)
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Transport for NSW
Funding for repair or replacement of recreational boating infrastructure.

NSW Forest Industries Innovation Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Provides long-term low-interest loans to projects that contribute to supporting NSW Forest Industry innovation.

Traffic Route Lighting Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Transport for NSW
A subsidy for providing a higher level of lighting on certain major routes, with the aim of decreasing night time road crashes.

Electric Vehicle Rebate
Closes: Until allocation exhausted
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: NSW Government
Rebates for the first 25,000 new full battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles purchased.

Electric Vehicle Stamp Duty Refund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: NSW Government
Reimbursement of the stamp duty paid on purchases of new or used full battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Local Government Road Safety Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Transport for NSW
Works in partnership with local councils to co-fund Safety Officer positions and contribute funding to projects targeting road safety issues at a local level.

Regional Filming Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: Screen NSW
Offsets costs for film makers associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW.

Startup Travel Stipend
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: NSW Government
Helps regional recipients of the Minimum Viable Product grant to travel for an innovation-related purpose.

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator
Creates a financial incentive for individuals and small businesses to instal eligible small-scale renewable energy systems.

Conservation Partners Grant
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: NSW Government Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Supports landholders in managing their conservation area, allowing them to improve the biodiversity value of their properties.

Natural Disaster Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Transport costs up to 1,500km
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Supports organisations that donate and transport donated fodder to a central location within NSW for the benefit of primary producers with livestock, in the event of a natural disaster.

Off-farm Efficiency Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Deptartment of Planning & Environment - Water
Supports projects that provide long-term benefits through improved water infrastructure and reduced water losses.