Farm Business Transition Program

Grant Description

This open competitive program provides transition assistance to sheep producers impacted by the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea, enabling them to plan and adapt their businesses ahead of the trade ending on 1 May 2028. Grants of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive) per eligible applicant (matched 1:1 by the applicant) support the development of farm business plans and incentivise the on-farm adoption of alternative systems and practices. Intended beneficiaries are Australian sheep producers who have participated in the live export supply chain, with key focus areas including business planning, professional and technical advice, training, infrastructure and equipment upgrades, adoption of technologies (e.g. traceability, carbon farming), improved animal welfare, and enhanced feed, water and pasture management to increase capacity for domestic processing.

What It Funds

Funding may cover development of farm business plans; engaging qualified or accredited professional services; participation in accredited or industry-recognised training (including reasonable travel and accommodation); adoption of R&D innovations; enhancement of feed base and pasture systems (e.g. fodder crops, storage, seeding equipment); technology purchases or upgrades (e.g. eID systems, remote sensors, farm mapping, weather integration, carbon planning platforms); water infrastructure (e.g. water-harvesting, efficient irrigation, troughs, dams); grazing infrastructure (e.g. fencing, watering systems for rotational grazing, hay sheds, free-range/grass-fed infrastructure); and diversification into new domestic or export markets (e.g. cropping, horticulture, commercialisation of mutton). Grants fund up to 50% of eligible expenditure to a maximum of $75,000 (GST exclusive) and must be cash-matched 1:1 by the applicant; in-kind contributions and other government funds cannot be used for the match. Ineligible uses include land purchase or leasing, general business running costs not tied to the project, duplicate or primarily state/territory responsibilities, unrelated costs, overseas travel, salaries for ongoing employees not engaged specifically for the project, debt/interest, pre-agreement expenses, and ongoing compliance costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be Australian residents for operational and tax purposes, have an ABN, be registered for GST, hold an Australian bank account, and be a legal entity able to enter a binding agreement. Eligible entity types are: Company, Cooperative, Incorporated Association, Indigenous Corporation, Person, and Sole Trader (or a Trustee of a Trust where the Trustee is an eligible entity and provides the executed trust deed). Applicants must provide evidentiary documentation showing active participation in the live sheep export by sea industry in at least one of the past three financial years (e.g. waybill/NVD to an export-approved Registered Establishment, contracts/invoices with a Registered Exporter or their agent, eID transport data). Entities are ineligible if they cannot meet the evidence requirement; are government entities or local government; are international; are on the National Redress non-participating list or WGEA non-compliant list; are partnerships or unincorporated associations (unless a legal parent entity contracts on their behalf); or have applied for/received Commonwealth or state funding for the same activity. One application per applicant is permitted in this round. A 1:1 cash co-contribution is mandatory; other government funds and in-kind contributions cannot be used as the match.