Business, Industry and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter - January 2025

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

Community Building Partnership 2025
Opens: 28th of January 2025
Closes: 21st of February 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Communities and Justice

This program awards grants for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

CBP will consider funding requests between $10,000 and $100,000 for projects in NSW involving:

• capital works including construction of new community infrastructure as well as refurbishment, repair and maintenance of existing community infrastructure. Capital works are: improvements to the land or building, or freestanding equipment that will be fixed or installed to the land or building.
• the purchase of freestanding equipment. Freestanding equipment is: equipment that does not require installation. This also includes vehicles and vessels that do not require registration e.g. tractors, utility task vehicles (UTV) or side-by-side ATVs, dragon boats, golf buggies, dinghies, powerboats or sailing boats less than 5.5 m long or with an engine less than 4.0 kw.
• the purchase of vehicle(s). Vehicles are: cars, buses, trucks, trailers, motorised rescue vehicles including boats and any modifications to existing vehicles.

 

DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream
Opens: 22nd of January 2025
Closes: 30th of April 2028 - 5:00 pm
Value: $2,000 to $20,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

The objective of the grant opportunity is to provide co-funding for dealerships and repairers to install EV chargers.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:

• increase in the number of EV charging stations throughout the country including remote and regional areas
• increase the number of EVs on the roads.

 

Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Development and Planning
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $500,000 to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

The Precinct Development and Planning grant opportunity provides opportunities to develop a precinct idea through to investment-ready stage. The rationale for Stream One is to recognise that financial constraints can inhibit great concepts being explored further and developed into realistic, well-designed and planned projects.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:

• establish partnerships comprised of relevant government entities, community organisations and businesses that have a shared vision for a regional precinct
• deliver precinct plans that are tailored to their local contexts and based on community feedback and engagement
• support precinct plans to become investment ready.

Closing in January

DFSV healing and Recovery Training Scholarships
Closes: 10th of January 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network
Develop and enhance the skills of workers supporting adults, young people and children who have experienced the life-impacting trauma of domestic and family violence and child sexual abuse.

Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive: Competitive Bid Funding - Round 5
Closes: 17th of January 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $8,000 per smart charger port
Run By: NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Funding for businesses to procure eligible AC or DC smart chargers. 

Closing in February

Skills Development Fund
Closes: 13th of February 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $80,000
Run By: Screen Australia
Supports production companies, game development studios and screen businesses to provide skills development through structured work-based learning.

Proper Loved Up
Closes: 14th of February 2025
Run By: Screen Australia
Supporting emerging filmmakers (writers and directors) to launch their careers and for mid-career producers to gain further practical experience.

Community Building Partnership 2025
Opens: 28th of January 2025
Closes: 21st of February 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government Communities and Justice
Funding for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

MVP Ventures 2024-2025
Closes: 28th of February 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $25,000 to $50,000
Run By: Investment NSW
Supports startups and innovative SMEs in the product lifecycle between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities.

Closing in March

EV Destination Charging Grants - Round 3
Closes: 28th of March 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: Variable amount dependent on application
Run By: NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Providing co-funding to eligible private EV Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to own and operate lower powered direct current (DC) public EV fast chargers at council and business-owned tourism sites across regional NSW.

Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) Licence Grant 2024
Closes: 31st of March 2025 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network
Making available a limited number of free one-year licenses for the Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT) tool.

News Media Relief Program
Closes: 31st of March 2025 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Support the sustainability of Australian news publishers in the face of significant disruption to the media sector.

Australian Lending Right Schemes (ELR/PLR)
Closes: 31st of March 2025 - 11:45 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Compensate Australian creators and publishers in recognition of income lost through free multiple use of their books in public and educational lending libraries.

Closing Later

Mobile Black Spot Program - Round 8
Closes: 30th of April 2025 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
deliver resilient new and improved mobile coverage and competition in areas prone to Natural Disasters to deliver new or upgraded telecommunications infrastructure.

On Farm Connectivity Program - Round 2
Closes: 30th of April 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $30,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Assists Primary Producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety.

Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program
Closes: 27th of June 2025 (subject to available funding)
Run By: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Improve and modernise water delivery infrastructure, to reduce water loss in the Murray–Darling Basin.

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant - 2024-25
Closes: 30th of June 2025 - 12:00 am
Value: $10,000 to $40,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities.

EV Fleets Incentive Kick-start Funding
Closes: 30th of June 2025 - 5:00 pm
Value: $5,000 to $130,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Support small organisations or those in the early stage of their fleet transition to test Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and charging infrastructure.

National Energy Bill Relief for Small Businesses (2024-25)
Closes: 30th of June 2025
Value: Up to $325
Run By: NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Relief payment to help NSW small businesses pay their electricity bills. 

Regional Filming Fund - 2024-25
Closes: 30th of June 2025 - 11:00 pm
Value: Up to $175,000
Run By: Screen NSW
Offsets costs associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW. Regional NSW is defined as all areas in NSW outside the Sydney Metro area.

Electric vehicle fleets incentive: Kick-start funding
Closes: 30th of June 2025 - 11:59 pm or when funds are exhausted
Value: Up to $20,000 per vehicle and up to $8,000 per smart charger
Run By: NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Funding for businesses procuring up to 15 EVs, as well as smart charger funding.

Touring and Travel Fund
Closes: 28th of November 2025 - 12:00 pm
Value: Up to $5,500 per person
Run By: Create NSW
Quick response funding for domestic and international touring and travel activity for NSW contemporary music artists, acts and music industry professionals.

Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots Program
Closes: 19th of December 2025 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.

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Worker Retention Payment
Closes: 30th of September 2026 - 5:00 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Funding to support a wage increase for all eligible ECEC workers

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Rebate Program - Round 2
Closes: 31st of May 2027 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Incentivise voluntary uptake of ADS-B equipment in Australian-registered aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to improve safety and efficiency for Australian airspace users.

Bin Trim Equipment Rebates Program
Closes: 30th of June 2027 - 12:00 pm
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: Environment Protection Authority
Rebates to help with the cost of small-scale, on-site equipment or technology that avoids, reduces, reuses, or recycles waste.

DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream
Opens: 22nd of January 2025
Closes: 30th of April 2028 - 5:00 pm
Value: $2,000 to $20,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Providing co-funding for dealerships and repairers to install EV chargers.

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, Communications and the Arts
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SafeWork Small Business Rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $1,000
Run By: SafeWork NSW
Support for 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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Airservices Australia Enroute Charges Payment Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Based on enroute charges
Supports regional commercial airlines operating low volume and new routes to regional and remote communities; as well as aeromedical providers.

Self-Employment Assistance
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Department of Employment
Support to help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business.

Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Delivery - Stream 2
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $5 Million to $50 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Funding to deliver one or more elements of a precinct, including enabling public infrastructure, open spaces between elements, or a particular building/s that is the catalyst for, or complements, other investment within a precinct.

Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Development and Planning
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $500,000 to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Funding to develop a precinct idea through to investment-ready stage to overcome financial constraints that can inhibit great concepts being explored further and developed into realistic, well-designed and planned projects.

High Emitting Industries Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Government Office of Energy and Climate Change
Support for high emitting manufacturing and mining facilities in NSW that emit more than 0.09 MtCO2e per year1 to reduce their emissions beyond current projections.

Strategic Opportunities Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Screen NSW
Supports individual initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry.

NewAccess for Small Business Owners
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Beyond Blue
A guided self-help mental health coaching program for small businesss owners developed by Beyond Blue.

Fee-Free Traineeships NSW
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Traineeships are a proven pathway to well-paid jobs in a diverse range of careers and are fee free in NSW.

Industry Growth Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $50,000 to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
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.

Drought Ready and Resilient Fund - Low Interest Loan
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $250,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans to primary producers to fund a broad range of products, activities and services aimed at improving drought preparedness and climate variability resilience.

Fee-free Apprenticeships
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
The NSW Government is paying the course cost for 100,000 new apprenticeships – meaning apprentices undertaking a government funded apprenticeship no longer face a student fee of up to $2000.

Digital Games Rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $50,000 to unspecified limit
Run By: Screen NSW
A 10 per cent rebate for eligible digital games with qualifying expenditure of at least AU$500,000 on the project in NSW.

Drought Infrastructure Fund
Closes: Ongoing Until Expended
Value: Up to $1 Million
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Provides long term, low interest loans to support farmers to invest in permanent on-farm infrastructure that will manage adverse seasonal conditions, ensure long term sustainability and improve farm productivity.

Accelerated Depreciation for Primary Producers
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Taxation Office
Primary producers may be able to claim an immediate deduction for capital expenses incurred on fencing and fodder storage assets.

Agristarter Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Agristarter Loans provide farmers with loans to either assist them in starting their own farming business or to plan for and implement succession arrangements.

Farm Management Deposits Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Provides primary production businesses with tax deductions on farm management deposits to help them deal with inconsistent income from natural disasters, climate and market changes.

Emergency relief for regional town water supplies
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Help Local Water Utilities towards the cost of water carting or water supply works during periods of emergency.

Industry Growth Program: Commercialisation and Growth
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $100,000 to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Supporting innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas.

Industry Growth Program: Early-Stage Commercialisation
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $50,000 to $250,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Supporting innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas.

Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Exports Stream
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $15,000 to $250,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Defence
Support for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome export barriers and help defence industry build scale and competitiveness in defence capability priority areas

Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Security Stream
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Defence
Help Australian defence industry improve and maintain security in priority areas as identified by the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities

Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Skilling Stream
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $5,000 to $250,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Defence
Help Australian defence industry to upskill and train in priority trade, technical and professional skillsets to develop a workforce with the right mix of qualified and experienced personnel to meet Defence requirements

Defence Industry Development Grants Program - Sovereign Industrial Priorities Stream
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $50,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Defence
Assist eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase manufacturing plant and equipment which is used directly to develop and/or deliver programs that are in line with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities

ECEC Workforce Professional Development and Paid Practicum
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education
Assist with educator retention and upskilling in the Early Childhood Education and Care workforce.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) - Round 4, Tiers 1, 2 and 3
Closes: Ongoing until funds have been allocated
Value: Up to $80,000
Run By: Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Support marketing and promotional activities and training that help create, develop, expand and diversify to foreign markets for Australian products and services.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) - Round 4, Representative bodies
- 10:00 amCloses: Ongoing until funds have been allocated
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Support marketing and promotional activities and training that help create, develop, expand and diversify to foreign markets for Australian products and services.

Upgrade your business equipment and system processes
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: NSW Government
Access a range of energy savings for your business by upgrading existing appliances and equipment or purchasing new ones.