April 2023 Grants & Funding Opportunities

The aim of the WRWF Community Fund is to financially support initiatives and projects that enrich and enhance the local community. 

Funding applications will be considered from all sectors, including but not limited to community development, the arts, education and training (including scholarships through organisations), health and wellbeing, sport, economic development, environment and sustainability.  

First Nations visual art is internationally recognised and sought after for its quality, innovation and cultural richness. Funding will be provided to organisations for activities that best contribute to the delivery of the following program outcomes:

•  a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous visual arts industry that features strong participation and provides economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
•  the continued production, exhibition, critique, purchase and collection of Indigenous visual art.

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• an entity established through specific Commonwealth or State or Territory legislation
• a company incorporated in Australia
• a company limited by guarantee
• an incorporated association
• a publicly funded research organisation
• state, territory or local government body

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the Goods and Services Tax, if required by the Australian Taxation Office
• have no overdue acquittals or serious breaches relating to Australian Government funding. A serious breach is one that has resulted in, or warrants, the termination of a grant agreement. 

Originally launched in 2019, the Qantas Regional Grants program aims to help these communities sustain brighter futures by providing financial, flight and marketing support to charities, organisations, causes, projects and individuals.

The Qantas Regional Grants program complements our broader range of initiatives we provided on an ongoing basis to regional Australia to strengthen regional communities, drive local economic activity, stimulate tourism and support jobs. This includes capping fares from flood-affected communities, year-round discounts for residents in regional and remote towns to make air travel more accessible, and the addition of new regional routes since the start of the pandemic.

Further information & eligibility

Grants up to $25,000 are available for a broad range of initiatives to strengthen the capacity and capability of local people, organisations, networks, and systems that help communities to be informed, skilled, connected and resourced for the future.

Glen Innes Severn was a disaster-declared event LGA for the 2019 Black Summer Bushfires and several 2021/2022 Storm and Flood events.

Further information & eligibility

This funding stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit local communities.

Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led Initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).

Glen Innes Severn is in the under-15,000 population category.

Further information & eligibility

The program is designed to provide funding for projects that promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played, and to preserve, add to the sum knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.  
 
There are 2 categories of grants available under the program:

1. Community Grants (STS-CG)
Grants to a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities.
 
2. Major Grants (STS-MG)
Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or regional perspective.  
If your project involves restoring/changing a memorial, there may be heritage considerations. Information is available from your state or territory government heritage body, or at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.

Further information & eligibility

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) manages the Supporting Young Scientists Program (SYSP).

The SYSP offers grants to NSW high school students participating 'in person' or virtually in competitions, events or courses, either domestically or internationally, which offer the potential for significant educational advancement in an area related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The grant is provided for competitions, events or courses being held from July 2022 to June 2023.

Grants are awarded on an ad hoc basis until allocated funds are expended and are the primary mechanism by which funding will be awarded to eligible NSW high school students participating in STEM-related competitions, events or courses. The judging panel is composed of OCSE staff members.

Further information & eligibility

The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the Active Kids program.

The Active Kids program provides a $100 voucher for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

The vouchers may be used with a registered activity provider for registration fees, participation and membership costs for sport, as well as fitness and active recreation activities.

Further information & eligibility

The Creative Kids Rebate can be put towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition fees for creative and cultural activities such as music lessons, language classes, coding and digital, visual and performing arts.

Further information & eligibility

•  moving from a regional or remote area for tertiary study
•  starting tertiary study in the year after finishing year 12 or equivalent

The Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants are back, with $30,000 worth of grants once again up for grabs!

There are ten grants available to apprentice plumbers and gas fitters across the country, each worth $3,000.

Each grant includes $2,000 to go towards TAFE/RTO fees and textbooks, and a $1,000 tool voucher, plus a tote tool bag.

To be eligible, you must be an apprentice plumber or gas fitter in Australia, either current or starting in 2023*. 

Are you an apprentice or do you know of an apprentice that deserves $3,000 to help kickstart their career in 2023?

Like and Follow Rheem on​  Facebook @rheemaustralia  to keep up with the latest news on the 2023 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants.

*Please note Grant recipients from previous years are not eligible to enter. If you have previously entered but were unsuccessful, you are still eligible to enter in 2023.

AgSkilled provides fully funded accredited training to meet industry training needs across four key pillars: Production, Technology, Business and Safety.
 
Current, relevant and flexible AgSkilled training is tailored and delivered to suit the specific needs of your industry and business and can be adjusted to suit students with a range of skills and experience.
 
Training covers areas as diverse as:

•  Agronomy
•  Business management
•  Emerging technologies
•  Farm machinery operation and maintenance
•  Leadership and management
•  Precision agriculture
•  Soils and nutrition
•  Workplace health and safety

Strengthening Business is a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs' Programme that connects you with experts to make your business stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.
   
What do you get?
 
You’ll be paired with an independent facilitator. Your facilitator will recommend ways to strengthen your business systems, operations and strategies. The facilitator will help you get back on your feet and identify opportunities to improve your business. They'll provide a roadmap with their recommendations.
 
Who is this for?
 
Small businesses located in regions impacted by the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires and recent flood emergencies. Glen Innes Severn is an applicable LGA.

NSW Flooding - including events that began on 4 August and 14 September through until November 2022. Glen Innes Severn is an eligible LGA.
 
Assistance is being provided to declared local government areas in NSW through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Category D Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 now available.

Flood-affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for the grant to support recovery and get back to operating as soon as possible.
 
Once approved, primary producers may be eligible for a $25,000 up-front payment, with a further $75,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.

As an employer of an Australian Apprentice, you may be eligible for financial support from the Australian Government to help offset the cost of taking on an apprentice.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (Incentives System) commenced on 1 July 2022 and aims to get apprentices working in secure jobs that are in demand, filling skill shortages now and into the future.

To claim and receive payments under the Incentives System, you must meet all primary eligibility requirements.

Primary eligibility requirements include:

• the Australian Apprentice’s citizenship or residency status;
• employment and training arrangements;
• lodging claim forms with supporting evidence within the specified time;
• must have commenced or recommenced an Australian Apprenticeship under a new Training Contract on or after 1 July 2022; or
• recommenced an Australian Apprenticeship on or after 1 July 2022 after following a break greater than:

• 6 months if commencement was prior to 1 July 2022 or
• 12 months if commencement was on or after 1 July 2022

• Employers claiming incentives for an Australian Apprentice who commenced before 1 July 2022 will continue to be supported under the grandfathered Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

If you're a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you've been directly impacted by storms and floods from 4 August 2022 or 14 September 2022 onwards, you may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.

This disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations.

You must be a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in a defined disaster area (AGRN 1030 or 1034) to be eligible. Glen Innes Severn is included.

Covered costs could include, but are not limited to:

•  payment for tradespeople to conduct safety inspections
•  equipment and materials required for cleaning up
•  equipment and materials essential for immediately resuming operations
•  payment for a cleaner if the service would not have been needed, or exceed    ordinary cleaning costs, in the absence of the disaster
•  the removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials or damaged stock
•  repairing premises and internal fittings
•  leasing temporary premises within the defined disaster area, replacing or repair of  motor vehicles registered for business use, or replacing lost or damaged stock, if it’s essential for resuming operations

•  Agriculture – dairy, extensive livestock (sheep and cattle), intensive livestock (pork and poultry), apiculture and broadacre cropping
• Aquaculture – oysters, mussels and fisheries
• Horticulture – turf, vegetables, berries, cut flowers and plant nurseries, perennial tree crops (nut crops, tea tree etc)
• Forestry – private native forests and timber plantations.

Traineeships are a proven pathway to well-paid jobs in a diverse range of careers. In NSW, traineeships are also fee-free.
 
There’s never been a better time to start a traineeship in NSW. The NSW Government is paying the course cost for 70,000 new traineeships – meaning trainees undertaking a government-funded traineeship course no longer face a student fee of up to $1,000.

Traineeships are a great career pathway. They combine on-the-job training with formal study to give you the skills and experience employers are looking for. Traineeships generally take around 1-2 years to complete, and trainees earn a salary
 
Fee-free traineeships are available to NSW trainees – including school-based trainees whose training:

•  is funded under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled Program
•  commenced on or after 1 January 2020

Further information & eligibility

If you’ve been affected by a bushfire, storm or flood, Legal Aid NSW can help you with everyday legal problems including insurance claims and disputes, financial hardship, tenancy and Centrelink.
 
An Early Resolution Assistance (ERA) approval of $2000 in professional fees is available for legal services and up to an additional $5000 is available for disbursements.
Funding extensions are available in reasonable circumstances. An eligible business or primary producer with more than one bushfire-related legal matter may receive
more than one approval for legal services and related expenses.
To be eligible for funding under the Scheme, the applicant must be:

• a primary producer or small business owner;
• have a farm or business located in a designated LGA. Glen Innes Severn is included on this LGA eligibility list, and
• have a legal issue arising from the 2019/2020 bushfire season in one of the designated LGAs.

You can call Legal Aid through LawAccess NSW on 1800 801 529 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Further information & eligibility

If you are a small business owner in NSW, this $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers.

Small business owners and sole traders who have an ABN and less than 50 full-time employees are eligible to apply. Charities and not-for-profits can also apply.  

The application must be in the name of the registered business owner. The registered business owner must agree to the terms and conditions.

Further information & eligibility

The $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund will co-invest with eligible entities on projects that will deliver significant economic, social and/or environmental benefits for a priority industry or location. 
 
Stream Two of the Regional Investment Activation Fund grant funding may be used for capital and other expenses directly related to the delivery of eligible projects. This may include:

• Purchase of land (if necessary for the project and suitable alternatives to rent do not exist)
• Purchasing, constructing, installing and/or commissioning new plant, equipment  and/or machinery
• Purchasing, constructing, establishing and/or fitting out new facilities, buildings or hubs
• Purchasing technology and/or intellectual property (IP) required to undertake the project
• Upgrading existing facilities, buildings, plant, equipment, machinery and/or technology where necessary to deliver the project and achieve its outcomes
• Cost of contractors to construct new buildings and facilities
• External project management and administration costs up to 10% of project cost
• Contingency costs up to 25% of project cost
• Eligible costs incurred once both parties have signed a Funding Deed.

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) 
• Be one of the following: 
  • A company incorporated in Australia 
  • A company limited by guarantee
  •  An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust 
  • An incorporated association or co-operative 
  • An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the
  • Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. 
• Be registered for GST 
• Be financially viable and able to demonstrate that they are likely to remain so over the duration of the project 
• Have at least $20 million public liability insurance or be able to secure before entering into a Funding Deed if successful. 

Applicants should consider how they can support accessibility for people with disability above the Australian Standards (AS)1428.1-2009 or supporting universal design principles when undertaking new or upgraded site works and fit-out.
Please refer to the Stream Two Program Guidelines for further information on eligible project costs, including examples of ineligible project costs (see attached link).
Applicants must provide a cash co-contribution of at least 50 per cent of the total project cost.
Joint applications are eligible under Stream Two of the Regional Investment Activation Fund provided the lead applicant satisfies the eligibility criteria and the proposed project aligns to the key objectives of the fund and Stream Two. Applicants can be based internationally, interstate or in either metropolitan or regional NSW.

Further information & eligibility

Projects funded under the program will provide long-term benefits through improved water infrastructure and reduced water losses.

Water users and the community will also benefit from increased water reliability and the creation of job opportunities.
 
The program is open to individuals and entities in the irrigation, urban and manufacturing sectors across the Murray Darling Basin for projects that will achieve water efficiencies and return water to the environment.
 
The following types of projects are eligible to apply for funding under the program:

• Stock and domestic: improving stock and domestic water supply on one or more properties for the purpose of watering stock and supplying water for human use.
• Irrigation networks: installing new, or upgrading existing, irrigation infrastructure and technology in water delivery networks to supply water to irrigators, including permanently decommissioning inefficient or underused sections of a water delivery network.
• Industrial or mining: constructing, replacing, upgrading, installing, improving, or refurbishing industrial water uses, including reducing leakage, for the purpose of using water for producing goods and services
• Urban: constructing, replacing, upgrading, installing, improving, or refurbishing urban water supply arrangements, including reducing leakage for the purpose of urban water supply

Feasibility funding is available to help identify early project opportunities to reduce water losses and increase water available for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin. This can include investigations into improving infrastructure, confirming water losses and savings, informing the potential costs of construction, and supporting formal discussions with stakeholders.

Further information & eligibility

Information acknowledgment sources and disclaimer: Information for this April 2023 newsletter was sourced from www.grants.gov.au, www.business.gov.au, Regional Development Australia Northern Inland and/or the following Government departments, business, industry or philanthropy organisations on grants and support programs including White Rock Wind Farm Fund Committee, Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Qantas, Federation for Rural Regional Renewal, Australian Government – Department of Veteran’s Affairs, NSW Government – Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, NSW Government – Service NSW, Rheem Australia, NSW Government – Training Services, Australian Government – AusIndustry, NSW Government – Rural Assistance Authority, NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW, NSW Government – Department of Education, Legal Aid NSW, SafeWork NSW, NSW Government – Department of Water, and Australian Government sites.