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Current grants and assistance
Current grants and assistance packages are available under the following programs:
Information about grants can also be found on Grantslink
Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides grants of up to $50 000 for 18-35 year olds to undertake an innovative project over 12 months that will help boost Australia's rural industries.
The awards aim to encourage the uptake of science, innovation and technology in rural industries and help to advance the careers of young scientists through national recognition of their research ideas.
Funding is offered annually on a competitive basis. More information is available at www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards
Agriculture and rural Australia
Drought assistance
The Australian Government is lending practical support to drought affected farmers and rural communities through income support, interest rate relief, and free personal and financial counselling. More information...
- Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grants
- Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
- Murray-Darling Basin Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package
- Irrigation Management Grant
- Professional Advice and Planning Grant
- Rural Financial Counselling Service
- Country Women’s Association - emergency aid grants
Food programs
The department has finalised three new Australian Government grant programs, totalling $40 million, to help boost the productivity, profitability and global competiveness of Australian food businesses. More information...
- Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program
- Promoting Australian Produce
- Promoting Australian Produce (Major Events)
Australia's Farming Future – Climate Change and Adjustment Program
Australia’s Farming Future is one of the Australian Government’s key initiatives for primary industries. It provides $130 million over four years to help primary producers adapt and respond to climate change. This initiative commences 1 July 2008. More information...
Australia's Farming Future – FarmReady
FarmReady is the Australian Government’s $26.5 million program that boosts training and development opportunities for primary producers. The four year program offers two types of support to the agricultural, fishing and forestry sectors. More information...
Wheat Export Technical Market Support Grants Program
As part of its transitional assistance package of up to $9.37 million, the government is providing up to $600,000 for the Wheat Export Technical Market Support Grants Program. The program gives wheat exporters the opportunity to access up to $60,000 to establish technical market support arrangement for new customers. More information...
Forestry
The Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement
Is a joint commitment of the Australian and Tasmanian governments to enhance protection of Tasmania’s forest environment and growth in the Tasmanian forest industry and forestry jobs. The governments are committing over $250 million to revitalise the timber industry and preserve old-growth forests. More information...
Forest Industries Development Fund
The Australian Government has committed $9 million to the Forest Industries Development Fund, a new competitive grants program to boost the international competitiveness of Australia’s forest products. More information...Natural resources
Caring for Our Country
Caring for our Country is the Government's natural resource management initiative. It integrates delivery of the Commonwealth's previous natural resource management programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and environmental program. In its initial five years, Caring for our Country provides around $2 billion in funding for natural resource management.
Caring for our Country also incorporates the delivery of a range of other natural resource management funding elements including Community Coastcare, World Heritage, regional investments and relevant 2007 election commitments.
Caring for our Country focuses on achieving strategic results in six national priorities:
- the National Reserve System
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices
- natural resource management in northern and remote Australia, and
- community skills, knowledge and engagement.
The Australian Government calls for investment proposals for projects through annual Caring for our Country business plans.
Natural resources funding programs
There are a number of natural resource funding programs offered by the Australian Government. More information...