GO8416: Farm Business Transition - Round 2

This round has been extended to close at 7:00 pm AWST/9:00 pm AEST on 22 July 2026.

Applicants may apply to both the Farm Business Transition and Supply Chain Capacity programs but won’t receive funding for the same activity from both.

The Australian Government is inviting sheep producers to apply for Round 2 of the open competitive Farm Business Transition Program (the program).

Grant funding may be used for a range of activities, including planning, professional and technical advice, application of research and development innovations extension activities, and investment in on-farm infrastructure and improvements.

These activities are intended to support the adoption of alternative farming systems and practices.

Grant funding of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive) over both rounds, per eligible applicant is available.

Costs incurred before a grant agreement is executed or the agreed activity start date are ineligible.

Applicants are required to provide 1:1 cash co-contribution, matching the dollar value of the grant funding approved.

In-kind contributions will not be accepted as matched funding.

You must demonstrate you have actively participated in the live sheep exports by sea industry since 1 July 2020.

Applicants from Round 1: Applicants awarded the maximum grant of $75,000 (GST exclusive) in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for further funding under Round 2.

Applicants awarded less than the maximum grant of $75,000 (GST exclusive) under Round 1 may apply under Round 2 for up to the remaining balance of the grant funding for different grant activities.

Applicants who were unsuccessful in Round 1 may apply in Round 2 for the same project or a different project.

Funding for this program is provided under the Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea - transition assistance initiative.

Applicants must have an ABN, a Property Identification Code (PIC), GST registration, Australian residency for operational and tax purposes, an account with an Australian financial institution, and legal capacity to enter a binding agreement with the Australian Government.

Applicants must be a company, cooperative, incorporated association, Indigenous corporation, partnership, person or sole trader; a trust may apply through an eligible trustee.

Applicants must provide approved evidence that their business has actively participated in the live sheep exports by sea industry since 1 July 2020.

Eligible evidence includes specified waybills, National Vendor Declarations, contracts, invoices, electronic identification data, a statutory declaration, a signed stock-agent letter, or another document accepted by the department.

Applicants that did not apply in Round 1, or were unsuccessful in Round 1, may apply for up to $75,000.

Round 1 recipients awarded less than $75,000 may apply only for the remaining balance up to a total of $75,000 across both rounds.

Applicants must co-fund $1 for every $1 requested, with the grant covering up to 50% of eligible expenditure; in-kind contributions and government funding cannot be used for the applicant contribution.