Rural Agricultural Development Grants
The Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grants offered up to $200,000 as a co-contribution grant to support economic development in relevant rural areas and support growth within the industry.
Program information
Co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 were available to eligible applicants to carry out activities which will create employment relating to, or increase the sale and value of products or materials derived from sheep or goats.
Applications for Round Two of this Scheme closed on 2 June 2023.
This scheme had a two-step application process. Applicants had to first submit an expression of interest (EOI) form, then successful EOI participants were invited to submit a full application for the grant. See below for key dates.
An amount of $1.9 million has been made available to fund grants under Round Two of the Scheme. Grants are subject to the availability of funding and applying for a grant is no guarantee funding will be approved.
QRIDA administers the Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Eligibility criteria
Grant funding may be used for an eligible activity, including, but not limited to:
- developing a new market for a product derived from sheep and goats; or
- expanding the capabilities of businesses within the supply chain for production, processing, manufacturing or selling products derived from sheep or goats; or
- providing specialised training or equipment to an eligible primary production enterprise.
How funding may not be used
Grant funding may not be used for the following activities:
- funding an activity which has already commenced, or been completed;
- funding an activity associated with installing or maintaining cluster fencing or predator-proof fencing;
- making payments towards debt;
- purchasing land;
- undertaking training and paying professional costs which are not related to the eligible project activity to which the application relates;
- conducting feasibility studies; or
- paying administration costs.
Key dates
| 23 February 2023 | Expressions of interest opened |
| 31 March 2023 | Expressions of interest closed at 11:59pm |
| 01 May 2023 | EOI outcomes were advised by this date and successful submissions received an invitation to submit a full application including an application pack |
| 02 June 2023 | Applications to apply closed at 11:59pm. |
| 17 July 2023 |
Applicants were notified of application outcomes by this date. Following this, successful applicants were announced by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries. |
| Upon approval and funding agreement | Successful applicants will receive funding to agreed milestones as their project progresses. |
Related information
Guideline - Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant (PDF, 280KB)Frequently asked questions
If you are successful in receiving a grant you will be required to enter into a legally binding funding agreement with QRIDA. For more information on your grant obligations please read the guidelines.
You may use government loan assistance towards your co-contribution to help to fund project activities, for instance, a Sustainability Loan from QRIDA.
However, funding from another government grant program is unable to be used as a co-contribution to fund project activities under the scheme.
Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.
Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.
For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week, equates to two full time employees.
Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.
You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project. Contact us here.
Freecall 1800 623 946 for assistance with your loan application. Alternatively, your accountant, bank or financial or business advisor may also be able to assist with your application also.
Primary production enterprises and small to medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST in the form.
QRIDA is committed to ensuring due administrative processes are undertaken with the decisioning of applications for Government assistance.
When making decisions on applications, as well as the internal review of a decision, QRIDA follows the QRIDA Decision-Making Policy and Procedure.
You can view this Policy and Procedure on the Reviewing a decision page.
Program information
Co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 were available to eligible applicants to carry out activities which will create employment relating to, or increase the sale and value of products or materials derived from sheep or goats.
Applications for Round Two of this Scheme closed on 2 June 2023.
This scheme had a two-step application process. Applicants had to first submit an expression of interest (EOI) form, then successful EOI participants were invited to submit a full application for the grant. See below for key dates.
An amount of $1.9 million has been made available to fund grants under Round Two of the Scheme. Grants are subject to the availability of funding and applying for a grant is no guarantee funding will be approved.
QRIDA administers the Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Eligibility criteria
Grant funding may be used for an eligible activity, including, but not limited to:
- developing a new market for a product derived from sheep and goats; or
- expanding the capabilities of businesses within the supply chain for production, processing, manufacturing or selling products derived from sheep or goats; or
- providing specialised training or equipment to an eligible primary production enterprise.
How funding may not be used
Grant funding may not be used for the following activities:
- funding an activity which has already commenced, or been completed;
- funding an activity associated with installing or maintaining cluster fencing or predator-proof fencing;
- making payments towards debt;
- purchasing land;
- undertaking training and paying professional costs which are not related to the eligible project activity to which the application relates;
- conducting feasibility studies; or
- paying administration costs.
Key dates
| 23 February 2023 | Expressions of Interest opened. |
| 31 March 2023 | Expressions of interest closed at 11:59pm. |
| 01 May 2023 | EOI outcomes were advised by this date and successful submissions received an invitation to submit a full application including an application pack. |
| 02 June 2023 | Applications to apply closed at 11:59pm. |
| 17 July 2023 |
Applicants were notified of application outcomes by this date. Following this, successful applicants were announced by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries. |
| Upon approval and funding agreement | Successful applicants will receive funding to agreed milestones as their project progresses |
Related information
Guideline - Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant (PDF, 280KB)Frequently asked questions
Primary production enterprises and small to medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST in the form.
You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project. Contact us here.
If you are successful in receiving a grant you will be required to enter into a legally binding funding agreement with QRIDA. For more information on your grant obligations please read the guidelines.
Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.
Freecall 1800 623 946 for assistance with your loan application. Alternatively, your accountant, bank or financial or business advisor may also be able to assist with your application also.
You may use government loan assistance towards your co-contribution to help to fund project activities, for instance, a Sustainability Loan from QRIDA.
However, funding from another government grant program is unable to be used as a co-contribution to fund project activities under the scheme.
QRIDA is committed to ensuring due administrative processes are undertaken with the decisioning of applications for Government assistance.
When making decisions on applications, as well as the internal review of a decision, QRIDA follows the QRIDA Decision-Making Policy and Procedure.
You can view this Policy and Procedure on the Reviewing a decision page.
