February 2023 Grants & Funding Opportunities


Informing committees, community groups, businesses, Council, not-for-profits, and individuals of potential funding opportunities through grants and programs.
 
Hello everyone,

2023 is now well underway!

This monthly newsletter provides information on a selection of applicable community, business and infrastructure funding opportunities that are currently available.

Links are provided at the end of each grant or support listing, which will direct you to the appropriate website for full details, including how to apply for that program.

Best wishes if you apply for a grant or voucher support.

Enjoy the last month of Summer.

Kind regards,
Richard Quinn - Grants Officer
Glen Innes Severn Council
Community Grants

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 2022-23

Open: Now
Closes: Hurry! 7 February 2023
Value: Community grants: Up to $10,000; Major grants: $10,001 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Government - Department of Veteran's Affairs

The objective of the program is to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Community grants (up to $10,000):
These small grants are for projects and activities that are focused on the local community, commemorate the service and sacrifice of local community members, and are primarily accessed by the local community.

Major grants ($10,001 to $150,000):
These projects may include the construction of new war or peace memorials, where none currently exist, as well as additions to existing memorials.

Further information and eligibility

Back to School Vouchers

Open: Now
Closes: Hurry! Round 2: 5pm, 13 February 2023
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government – Service NSW

The Premier's Back to School NSW Vouchers program provides 3 x $50 vouchers, totalling $150 for each eligible student.

The vouchers can be used:

Further information and eligibility

Community War Memorials Fund

Open: Now
Closes: Hurry! Round 2: 5pm, 13 February 2023
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government – Department of Veteran’s Affairs

This fund helps conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW. Since 2008, grants have been provided  for a wide range of projects including conservation, assessments, honour roll repair, war memorial cleaning and conservation work, aborist advice for war memorial trees, security measures for memorials, repairs to war memorial halls and improvements to the accessibility to memorials.

Further information & eligibility

NAIDOC Local Grants

Open: Now
Closes: Hurry! 17 February 2023
Value: Up to $1,000
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency 

Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous legal entities may apply for 2023 NAIDOC Local Grants funding.

Grants are available for activities to be held during NAIDOC Week (2 – 9 July 2023) by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and community organisations across Australia. The funding will provide assistance towards the cost of organised activities. Previous grants have generally been for amounts between $200 and $1,000 (GST exclusive).

Activities must align with the 2023 NAIDOC theme “For our Elders” and celebrate First Nations’ histories, cultures, achievements and continuing contributions to our country and society. All events and activities will need to meet government guidance aimed at reducing the risks associated with COVID-19.

Further information & eligibility

Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital and Rebuilding Regional Communities Streams

Open: Now
Closes: Current Round.1 March 2023
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Federation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), through funding from Australian Government

The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly 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 LGA meets the smaller community criteria of selection.
 
The Strengthening Regional Communities (SRC) Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC) stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
Recognising the impacts of COVID-19 on communities, the Australian Government has partnered with FRRR to distribute $5 million from 2022 to 2024 to support community-led initiatives that:  

  • Enhance the process of recovery of remote, rural and regional communities from the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Reduce social isolation and foster stronger, more resilient remote, rural and regional communities; and/or  
  • Sustain local remote, rural and regional organisations and their work. 

Small & Vital: Further information & eligibility
Rebuilding Regional Communities: Further information & eligibility

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Open: Now
Closes: 7 March 2023
Value: Between $10,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Government - Australian Council for the Arts

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.
  •  Base Grant: $500
  • Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to nominated championships:+ $100
  • Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated  championships: + $200
  • Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50
Further information & eligibility.

Local Sporting Champions

Open: Now
Closes: 31 March 2023
Value: $500 to $750
Run By: Australian Government - Sport Australia 

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

  •  Base Grant: $500
  • Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to nominated championships:+ $100
  • Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated  championships: + $200
  • Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50
Further information & eligibility

Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative - Small Grants

Open: Now
Closes: 31 March or until fund is exhausted
Value: $500 to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW

The objective of the program is to support the wellbeing of children and young people living in regional NSW and promote social inclusion and community connections.
 This program is funded by the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.
       Funding recipients can be government or non-government organisations in eligible   
       regional Local Government Areas (LGAs) such as:

  • local councils
  • community groups
  • not-for-profit organisations
  • Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • schools
  • neighbourhood centres
Programs that may be eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:
  • community events and social activities
  • sport and recreational programs
  • youth mental health training
  • cultural and community connection programs
  • healing initiatives to support Aboriginal children, vulnerable children and young
  • people affected by adverse events
  • peer support programs, mentoring and training for children and young people
  • digital communications and resources

A maximum amount of $50,000 allocated to each eligible LGA and joint applications from a number of LGAs are encouraged.

Further information & eligibility

Qantas Regional Grants Program

Open: February 2023 (see link below for updates)
Closes: April 2023 
Value: Various initiatives
Run By: Qantas

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

Supporting Young Scientists Program - 2022-23

Open: Now
Closes: 31 May 2023 or until fund is exhausted
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government - Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer
 

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

School Travel Passes – 2023

Open: Now
Closes: Not specified.
Value: Free travel to and from school or TAFE
Run By: NSW Government – Transport for NSW

School travel passes can be used for free travel to and from school or TAFE. Depending on where you are travelling, you may receive a free school travel pass, School Opal card or both.

For rural/regional students: If your application is successful, a new school travel pass will be sent to the school/college, or in some cases to the student's home address, by the transport operator. Please contact the operator directly to find out when and where the student's pass will be sent.

Further information & eligibility

Tertiary Access Payment

Open: Now
Closes: Ongoing. End of year after completing Year 12 or equivalent
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: Australian Government - Services Australia 
 

A payment to help students with the cost of moving from regional or remote areas  for tertiary study. The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is a one-off payment of up to $5,000.
 It’s to help eligible students with the cost of moving to study. This is for study after you’ve finished year 12.
To get the payment you need to meet some rules.
These include:
  •  moving from a regional or remote area for tertiary study
  •  starting tertiary study in the year after finishing year 12 or equivalent.
 
You can claim this payment in your first year of tertiary study only.

Further information & eligibility
Business Grants

Aged Care Registered Nurses' Payment to Reward Clinical Skills and Leadership - Round 1

Open: Now
Closes: Hurry! 28 February 2023 (extended date)
Value: Up to $6,000 per eligible employed Registered Nurse
Run By: Australian Government -  Department of Health and Aged Care

This payment recognises the integral role of registered nurses in delivering high-quality care for our older Australians. 

Payments for either 6 months or 12 months of employment will be available to registered nurses who work for the same aged care provider over the eligibility periods, up to a total of $6,000.

Full-time nurses eligible for the 12-month payment will receive up to $3,700 or if eligible for the 6-month payment will receive a half payment.

Part-time and casual nurse payments will be determined on a pro-rata basis. 

An additional payment of up to $2,300 will also be available for registered nurses who meet one of 3 criteria set out in the guidelines. See link below.

Registered nurses must be employed by any of the following:

  • an approved aged care provider funded by the Australian Government
  • multi-purpose services that offer aged care services
  • state or local government approved Residential Aged Care or Home Care Providers
  • providers that offer aged care services under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
  • an agency or broker employing aged care registered nurses to work in one of the above organisation types
  • self-employed eligible Registered Nurses

 The payment is available to registered nurses working in residential aged care, home care and Commonwealth Home Support Programme settings.

Further information & eligibility

Before and After School Care Fund - Transport Grant for Providers - 2022-23

Open: Now
Closes: 3 March 2023
Value:  Up to $160,000 including GST
Run By: NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW

The Transport Grant Program is designed to provide funding for transport solutions designed to support access to BASC services, particularly for NSW Government primary school children in small, regional and rural areas.

Eligible applications:

• Applicants must be an approved Before and After School Care (BASC) provider

• The application must benefit one (1) approved BASC service operating in NSW, and one application is required per service location

• Providers may submit multiple applications that benefit other services they manage; however, an application that is clearly a duplicate of an existing application will not be considered

• The benefiting service must provide evidence of safety and care to NSW Public School students

 • Must comply with the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations, specifically in relation to transportation of children

• Applications must be submitted by an authorised officer: a person legally able to enter into agreements on behalf of the approved service provider.

Further information & eligibility

Future Drought Fund: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program

Open: Now
Closes: 9pm, 15 March 2023
Value: Unspecified for individual rural properties. Total grant program fund pool is up to $8 million
Run By: Australian Government - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 

The Australian Government is inviting consortia via an open competitive process to apply for grants under the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program (the program). It is anticipated that the program will support grants valued up to $8 million dollars per grant, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

 The program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to positively influence (socially, economically and/or environmentally) the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Australian farms from the impacts of drought and climate change. 

Projects will have a focus on grain cropping, livestock grazing and/or mixed cropping and livestock systems. Projects will test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness (or otherwise) of yet-to-be-proven farming practices in a robust scientific manner. The testing of these practices will underpin and assist to drive widespread adoption through increased evidence and by providing farmers with the confidence and information they need to try the practices themselves.

Applications are being sought from collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional consortia including farmers. Each consortium must nominate a lead organisation who will be solely accountable to the department for the delivery of the activities and manage the grant funds in accordance with the funding agreement. 

Further information & eligibility

Special Disaster Grants – NSW Flooding – August to November 2022

Open: Now
Closes: 30 June 2023
Value: Up to $75,000
Run By: Joint Australian Government and NSW Government Initiative – Rural Assistance Authority

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.

Further information & eligibility

Critical Producer Grant

Open: Now
Closes: 30 June 2023, or if funds exhausted beforehand
Value:  $10,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW

The objective of the program is to help primary producers and primary production enterprises impacted by the February and March 2022 NSW Severe Weather and Flooding events to rebuild and recover in the medium to longer term with the aim of supporting job security, future resilience and enabling future production.
 
Glen Innes Severn is a storm and flood declared LGA.
 
Targeted Industries:
  •  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.
Further information & eligibility

COVID-19 Tax Relief Measures NSW - Businesses

Open: Now
Closes: Not specified
Value: Tax relief measures
Run By: NSW Government - Revenue

The following tax relief support is available for NSW businesses impacted by COVID-19:

  • 2021 payroll tax deferral and new support payment arrangement for ALL businesses;
  • 50% reduction in 2021/22 payroll tax liability for businesses with grouped Australian wages of $10 million or less who experienced a 30% decline in turnover;
  • Payroll tax customers eligible for a 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver payment whose total grouped Australian wages for the 2021/22 financial year are $10 million or less, will have their annual tax liability reduced by 50% when they lodge their 2022 Annual Payroll Tax Reconciliation online; and
  • Customers with total grouped wages of $10 million or less, who did not receive a 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver payment, may still be eligible for the 50% reduction if they are able to demonstrate that they have experienced a 30% decline in turnover during a minimum 14-day period during the ‘Greater Sydney lockdown’ (26 June to 30 November 2021) compared to the same period in 2019 or 2020.

Further information & eligibility

Bushfire Legal Aid Scheme – Primary Producers or Small Business Owners

Open: Now
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to a total of $7,000 funded services
Run By: Legal Aid NSW

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

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme – Financial Incentives

Open: Now
Closes: Not specified
Value: Financial incentives are offered in the form of tradable certificates, which act as an electronic form of currency.
Run By: Australian Government - Clean Energy Regulator

Renewable Energy Target participants who invest in, and generate, renewable energy may be eligible for financial incentives under the scheme.

These financial incentives are offered in the form of tradable certificates, which act as an electronic form of currency.

Under the Renewable Energy Target, if you have installed an eligible small-scale renewable energy system within the past 12 months you may be eligible to create small-scale technology certificates.
The number of small-scale technology certificates that can be created per system is based on geographical location, installation date, and the amount of electricity in megawatt hours (MWh) the system generates or displaces over the course of its deemed generation period.

Owners of eligible systems may be eligible to receive either an upfront discount off the total cost of their system, or a quantity of small-scale technology certificates which can be created and sold following installation to recoup some of the cost.

Further information & eligibility

New Business Assistance with NEIS

Open: Now
Closes: Ongoing
Value: NEIS Allowance & Rental Assistance on approval. Business advice. 
Run By: Australian Government - Department of Education, Skills and Employment

New Business Assistance with NEIS can help you turn your business idea into a viable business. Over the last 36 years, NEIS has helped over 194,000 people become their own boss by starting their own business. NEIS offers free accredited small business training, business plan development, business mentoring and, if eligible, NEIS Allowance.

A NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks is available (if eligible).

Further information & eligibility

Workforce Australia Youth Jobs PaTH – Funded Internships

Open: Now
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $11,000
Run By: Australian Government – Workforce Australia

Give a young person a valuable chance in life through a work trial at your business. During the trial, you don't pay the young person. Instead, the Australian Government gives them $200 a fortnight on top of their income support and covers their insurance.

Businesses can also receive up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) through a Youth Bonus wage subsidy if they hire an eligible young person between 15 and 24 years of age.

Further information & eligibility

Infrastructure Grants

Regional Investment Activation Fund – Stream Two

Open: Now
Closes: 5pm, 31 December 2024
Value: From $1,000,000 to $10 million
Run By: NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW

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.
To be eligible to apply for funding through Stream Two of the Regional Investment Activation Fund, applicants must: 
  • 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

Off-farm Efficiency Program – Water Infrastructure

Open: Now
Closes: Not specified
Value: Not specified
Run By: NSW Government - Department of Water

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 February 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  Australian Government – Department of Veterans’ Affairs, NSW Government – Service NSW, NSW Government – Department of Veteran’s Affairs,  National Indigenous Australians Agency, Federation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), Australian Government – Australian Council for the Arts, Australian Government - Sport Australia, NSW Government – Department of Regional NSW, Qantas, NSW Government – Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, NSW Government – Transport for NSW, Australian Government – Services Australia, Australian Government -  Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, NSW Government - Rural Assistance Authority, NSW Government – Revenue, Legal Aid NSW, Australian Government – Clean Energy Regulator, Australian Government - Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government – Workforce Australia, and NSW Government – Department of Water.

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