NSW Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Program 2026

Total program funding: $4,000,000
Funding per project: $150,000 to $350,000
Matched funding / co-contribution requirement: Applicants are asked to include in-kind and in-kind cash contributions in budgets where relevant.
Project duration: 3 to 5 years
Expected project commencement: March/April 2027
Applications close: May 13 2026

The NSW Environmental Trust’s Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Program 2026 provides competitive funding to community and government organisations to deliver lasting improvements to the NSW environment through protection, conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of natural resources. Funding totals $4 million, with projects able to seek $150,000 to $350,000 and run for 3 to 5 years.

Projects must align with at least one priority theme in the NSW Environmental Trust Strategic Plan 2024–2029: Healthy Country, ecosystem and biodiversity restoration, or enhanced environmental management.

Key Requirements

Deliver the program objectives: improve and protect ecosystems and environmental assets; enhance environmental management through expertise and partnerships; and provide a sustainable mechanism to deliver government policy and priorities.
Align to at least one priority theme: Healthy Country, ecosystem and biodiversity restoration, or enhanced environmental management (as set out in the Trust’s Strategic Plan 2024–2029).
Healthy Country projects must partner with Aboriginal stakeholders: if a project targets the Healthy Country priority, partnering with relevant Aboriginal organisations/stakeholders is essential/mandatory and should be evidenced (e.g., letters of support/consultation).
Meet budget rules: monitoring must be at least 10% of the overall project budget; project management/coordination costs (incl. on-costs) up to 30% of grant funding; project-related administration up to 10% of grant funds.
Observe application limits: organisations may submit up to 2 applications; generally only one project may be funded per organisation (with a western NSW exception allowing up to 2).

What is eligible for funding?

Bush regeneration and assisted natural regeneration, including follow-up and best-practice approaches.
Revegetation and canopy connection to restore habitat corridors (where justified), including fencing to protect plantings.
Weed management and erosion control where aimed at environmental outcomes, with associated restoration follow-up.
Non-lethal pest animal control/exclusion/monitoring, integrated with native vegetation restoration.
Habitat creation (e.g., nest/roost structures, wetland works) where need, target species, and monitoring/maintenance are defined.
Monitoring and evaluation activities (including mapping/photo monitoring/ecological surveys).
Capacity building and community engagement, including training, workshops, volunteering and knowledge sharing.
Employing project management staff (new or existing staff) consistent with program rules
Consultants/contractors, materials, transport, and essential equipment hire directly tied to project delivery.
Ecological and cultural burns where appropriately planned and part of a broader strategy, with relevant engagement

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible organisations include:

Incorporated associations, community organisations and non-profit organisations
Non-commercial cooperatives
Companies limited by guarantee
State government agencies and statutory committees
Councils, regional organisations of councils, and other organisations controlled by local government
Universities (only for projects on their own land)
Local Aboriginal land councils and registered Indigenous corporations

Key considerations:

Applicants must have an active ABN.
Unincorporated community organisations may apply only with an eligible “external manager” who manages funds and signs the funding agreement.
Past performance with previous grants and compliance history may be reviewed when assessing eligibility

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.

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