NSW Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program

  • Applications open until 23 January 2026.
  • Funding: Grants from $500K (min) – $4M (max).
  • Co-Contribution: Minimum 50% cash co-contribution required.
  • Project must be in an eligible regional NSW LGA.

 

The NSW Government’s Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program supports the state’s agriculture sector to adopt innovative technology and equipment that expand export opportunities, improve supply chain productivity and resilience, and achieve lower emissions across regional NSW. The program is a $25 million investment from the Regional Development Trust and aims to help regional industries grow and adapt to structural and environmental change.

Key Requirements

  • Project purpose and outcomes — Increase uptake of innovative tech/equipment to open export markets, boost supply chain productivity/resilience, and reduce emissions.
  • Location — Project must be in an eligible regional NSW LGA, the Unincorporated Far West or Lord Howe Island; Sydney metro is ineligible.
  • Co‑contribution — Provide a minimum 50% cash contribution of total project cost. NSW Government grants cannot count toward this 50%; Australian Government grants can. In‑kind is additional only. No exemptions.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding may cover:

  • construction costs for infrastructure development/expansion/upgrades
  • purchase and installation of equipment/non‑fixed assets
  • up to 10% of grant for project management and assurance; up to 25% contingency
  • and staff or service providers directly delivering the project.

Examples include:

  • equipment for processing/bottling to reach export markets
  • technology to reduce emissions (e.g., bio‑fuel systems for cooperatives)
  • future fuels facilities; new packaging/processing lines for plant‑based proteins
  • efficiency‑improving upgrades in cotton ginning or nut processing
  • production of higher‑efficiency fertilisers

What companies are eligible for funding?

Entity types (must have ABN):

  • Company incorporated in Australia, incorporated association or co‑operative, legally binding incorporated partnership, incorporated trustee of an Australian‑based trust, or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (CATSI Act)

Additional requirements:

  • Registered for GST; provide 2 years of financial statements; hold/commit to $20 million Public Liability Insurance per occurrence before executing deed; be fit and proper and not insolvent or under ongoing legal proceedings; declare no reputational risk to NSW Government.
  • One application per applicant; projects must be within eligible regional NSW locations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate partnerships with growers/primary producers.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.