Disaster Ready Fund

On 7 September 2022, the Australian Government announced their flagship disaster resilience and risk reduction initiative, committing $1 billion to be made available nationally through the DRF over five years, from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.

The DRF provides investment in disaster mitigation across infrastructure and systemic disaster risk reduction projects, to address any, or multiple, natural hazards including extreme weather events and geological hazards.

Only Australian state and territory governments are eligible to apply to the DRF and the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is the jurisdictional lead agency and ‘applicant’ on behalf of NSW.

The DRF supports projects that:

• increase the understanding of natural hazard impacts, as a first step towards reducing disaster impacts in the future;
• increase the resilience, adaptive capacity and/or preparedness of governments, community service organisations and affected communities to minimise the potential impact of natural hazards and avert disasters; and
• reduce the exposure to risk, harm and/or severity of a natural hazard’s impacts, including reducing the recovery burden for governments and vulnerable and/or affected communities.

A mandatory EOI is open from 6 November 2023 to 12 noon, 8 December 2023 for applicants to submit projects to be considered for the DRF Round 2 2024-25. If you do not participate in the NSW EOI, you will not be considered for the Round 2 NSW application. The NSW EOI Guidance is available to provide guidance applicants.  

The EOI will be followed by an invitation-only Final Proposal stage, that will be implemented in early 2024 in line with timeframes established by the Australian Government. 

The rationale for conducting the two-stage process, prior to the Commonwealth Round 2 DRF Guidelines being published, is to increase overall efficiency of effort for NSW applicants, through early selection of project concepts that are most aligned to the Commonwealth criteria. The NSW EOI is a mandatory stage of the application process in NSW. Only successful EOI applicants will be able to submit an application to Round 2 when this opens in January 2024. 

Further guidance and screening criteria is available in the NSW EOI Guidance. 

NSW Round 2 eligibility criteria can be found in the NSW EOI Guidance in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ and ‘Project eligibility criteria sections’ Applicants should read all sections of the NSW EOI Guidance before starting an EOI application, including the ‘What to consider when submitting an EOI’ section. 

Eligible funding streams and categories can be found in the NSW EOI Guidance in the ‘Project eligibility criteria – further information’ section. Applicants should read all sections of the NSW EOI Guidance before starting an EOI application. 

For the definitions grey infrastructure is outlined in the Round 1 Guidelines Glossary, Section 15 (page 37) in the Australian Government guidelines.

For the purposes of the DRF, grey infrastructure involves engineered assets that reduce the risk of hazards for a particular community or communities. This includes for example but is not limited to levies, culverts or stormwater drains. 

The definitions of green-blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions are outlined in the Round 1 Guidelines Glossary, Section 15 (page 37-38) in the Australian Government guidelines. 

For the purposes of the DRF, green blue Infrastructure is infrastructure that reduces risk of hazards for a particular community or communities, by delivering a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. It incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas. This includes, for example but not limited to, mangrove reforestation, greenways along floodplains or nature planning for heat management. 

Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. In the context of the DRF, nature-based solutions refers to actions to protect, sustainably manage, conserve and restore natural or modified ecosystems to reduce disaster risk, with the aim to achieve sustainable and resilient development. 

Eligible natural hazard types can be found in the NSW EOI Guidance in the ‘Project eligibility criteria – further information’ section. 

Projects must target at least one Natural Hazard type/s:

Geological hazards, such as, but not limited to:

• Landslides (including avalanches, mudslides, sinkholes)
• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis

Extreme weather and climate-driven hazards, such as but not limited to:

• Bushfires (including wildfires)
• Heatwaves
• Tornados (including damaging wind incidents and dust storms)
• Storms (including severe thunderstorms, hailstorms and blizzards; East coast lows; geomagnetic solar storms (X or M Class))
• Cyclones
• Floods (including flash flooding)
• Coastal hazards (including coastal erosion, and coastal inundation; sea level change)
• Pollen storms

Note that drought is excluded as an eligible hazard type. The Australian Government’s Future DroughtFundprovides $100 million each year to support initiatives that build drought resilience.

The maximum project term is three (3) years. 

An applicant based in another state or territory and/or with a multi-jurisdictional or national project is eligible to apply in the NSW EOI provided that:

• the multi-jurisdictional or national project has a significant NSW-based component, and;
• the applicant submits their project through the NSW EOI submission form to the RA by the submission deadline.

The RA will collaborate with other jurisdictions regarding cross-jurisdictional applications submitted via other states. If an applicant intends to submit a cross-jurisdictional project via another state, they do not need to participate in the NSW EOI. 

NSW Round 2 eligibility criteria can be found in the NSW EOI Guidance in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ and ‘Project eligibility criteria sections’ 

Universities that meet the EOI eligibility criteria may submit a NSW EOI. 

For-profit businesses are not eligible applicants in the NSW EOI solely or as the lead organisation. For-profit businesses may be listed as a project partner led by an eligible applicant.

Social enterprise entities with a certification through social Traders are eligible, in line with the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ in the NSW EOI Guidance. 

Small organisations that meet ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ in the NSW EOI Guidance are eligible to submit an EOI. 

A consortium of organisations and/or groups are able to apply ensuring that the lead applicant meets all applicant eligibility criteria. The RA encourages the consolidation of projects and, where feasible, under one project submission with a single management structure.

Yes, not-for-profits registered with ORIC are eligible to apply in the EOI. ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ can be found in the NSW EOI Guidance. 

The below is given as guidance for total project value ranges within the NSW EOI Guidance. Applicants should consider these funding ranges when submitted an EOI:  

Applicants should also ensure that their project budget is appropriate and proportionate to the project deliverables and ensure that co-contribution requirements are met.

No, there is no limit on the number of proposals that an eligible applicant can submit. The RA encourages the consolidation of projects where feasible under one project submission, with a single management structure.

NSW EOIs close 12 noon on 8 December 2023. 

It is mandatory to submit a NSW EOI. The NSW final proposal stage is invite-only. NSW final proposals will not be accepted from projects that did not submit a successful NSW EOI.  

Late EOI submissions will not be accepted unless RA is satisfied that the acceptance of a late submission would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process.  

No, applicants must submit an NSW EOI in order to be considered to be invited to submit a NSW final proposal. Projects that are unable to submit an NSW EOI by the deadline would need to consider applying for funding in Round 3 (2025-2026). 

To fulfill probity requirements of transparency and fairness, projects must undergo the screening and determination process in line with the timeframes set by RA and the Commonwealth. If applicants have ideas they consider address urgent risks associated with the upcoming bushfire season, please email the drfnsw@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au so your enquiry can be appropriately directed.

Evidence required for projects involving construction is outlined in the NSW EOI application form. 

Infrastructure projects will need to demonstrate land ownership or land-owner consent, as well as any other required regulatory approvals. Requirements on how to demonstrate land ownership or land-owner consent is outlined in the NSW EOI application form. 

EOI screening criteria includes all ‘Applicant eligibility criteria’ and ‘Project eligibility criteria and 'Additional inclusion screening’ specified in the NSW EOI Guidance.  

There is no defined allocation of funding to the two Streams.

In Round 2 of the DRF, the Australian Government has so far advised projects must align to the Investment Principles. The list of Investment Principles can be found in the ‘Project eligibility criteria – further information’ section in the NSW EOI Guidance.  

NSW focus areas have been developed as part of the NSW EOI for the DRF Round 2 to give applicants an additional guidance on NSW State areas of focus. Please review the NSW EOI Guidance for further information on NSW focus areas and how they may apply to your project. 

Applicants are required to read this NSW EOI Guidance in full to self-assess whether the applicant and project meet the NSW eligibility criteria and screening inclusions. Projects that meet criteria in the NSW EOI Guidance may submit an EOI by the submission deadline, using the NSW EOI application form. 

Questions on Round 1 submissions may be sent to drfnsw@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au. 

An applicant based in another state or territory is eligible to apply for funding under the NSW Application and/or request a NSW Lead Agency 25% co-contribution provided that: 

• the multi-jurisdictional project has a significant NSW-based component, and; 

• the applicant submits their project through the NSW EOI application form to the RA by the submission deadline. 

Place-based projects are defined by a specific location/s and focus on practical on-the-ground impacts in one or more locations. They generally involve collaboration with critical stakeholders essential to the success of the project. Infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects can be place-based projects. 
Place-based projects must demonstrate initial consultation with relevant impacted stakeholders including First Nations peoples and communities. This may include projects with practical on-ground impacts in one or more local government areas, where those entities are impacted (e.g., infrastructure projects). 
While an infrastructure project with state-wide impacts or construction works across multiple regions may not meet the definition of place-based, it would still require stakeholder consultation.
Further information on consultation with First Nations peoples or communities can be sought through the NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council. 
If initial consultation is not demonstrated, the EOI submission may be excluded from the process at the discretion of the RA.

The NSW EOI Guidance states that projects must target at least one eligible category in Stream One or Stream Two, as part of the Project Eligibility Criteria. In the application form, only one Stream can be selected, thereby projects will need to select the Stream they best align with.
Please note that all eligibility criteria is outlined in the NSW EOI Guidance.
 

For the purposes of the DRF, infrastructure projects generally involve construction and on-ground works to be considered an infrastructure project that aligns to Stream 1. Projects that fall into the grey infrastructure, green blue infrastructure and/or hazard monitoring infrastructure refer to projects that involve construction and on-ground works relevant to each category. Please see the definitions of grey infrastructure and green-blue infrastructure included in these FAQs for further explanation on these types of infrastructure.  

Infrastructure projects that involve investigation, planning and design to resolve emerging risks (i.e. condition surveys, infrastructure design, data collection/analysis) would fall into the Stream 1 category of ‘business case development for future infrastructure (including investigation, modelling, concept and detailed design activities)’. Applicants may select more than one category within the selected Stream if applicable – e.g. the project involves development of a business case and construction. 

Work which is expected to support DAP development will be considered eligible. However, please note the DAP guidelines will not be available until sometime in 2024, which may limit the specificity of work possible via Round 2 of the DRF. At this stage, we would suggest that high priorities include building the requisite capacities and capabilities for the development of DAPs and ensuring there is adequate and granular understanding of disaster risk in your region or LGA. This could include individual hazard studies, demographics and knowing your community.  

Depending on the type of project, this may best align with the Commonwealths Stream 2 categories of:  

• Projects that deliver inclusive plans at the household, community, regional and state levels to mitigate identified risks and impacts 
• Strengthening decision making by enhancing governance networks and communities of practice, including the development and/or alignment of resilience and risk reduction strategies 
• Adaptation projects that improve land use planning and development practice projects, including but not limited to the preparation of regional or local plans and updating land use planning instruments and building codes 

The NSW EOI Guidance provides further information on the development on DAPs in relation to the ‘aligned with plans’ investment criteria, which is a mandatory requirement for Round 2 DRF projects (page 10-11). Projects are required to be ‘aligned with plans’, meaning they must align with existing national, state and territory, and local hazard mitigation and resilience plans, or provide evidence that planning process is underway. Where plans do not exist or are in development, proposals could support the development of those plans. 

The NSW EOI Guidance also acknowledges that disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies in NSW are evolving and new plans, such as the State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP), and Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs) are in development. Please ensure alignment with existing local and regional plans and other relevant plans. Work which is expected to support and accelerate the development of state endorsed plans (e.g. DAPs) will also be viewed favourably. This could include ensuring the requisite capabilities, capacities and data are in place to develop effective plans. RA will work closely with successful applicants to also ensure alignment to priorities of the SDMP and Disaster Adaptation Plans as they become available. 

Upgrade of community owned facilities may be applied for, provided that the project addresses all eligibility criteria and screening criteria specified in the NSW EOI Guidance. Projects must also align with eligible expenditure items listed in the NSW EOI Guidance. All project expenditure must be incurred on eligible expenditure items that are directly attributed to the delivery of the project. This may include “upgrading of existing materials and assets so long as the upgrades meet the intent of the DRF Objectives” and “construction and/or procurement of materials, including supply costs, in order to deliver the project”. 

Applicants should review the NSW EOI Guidance and determine which Stream and category their project best aligns with. Projects that involve engineered assets that reduce the risk of hazards for a particular community or communities would best align with Stream 1 (investment in grey infrastructure category). Social projects that build the capacity and capability of businesses, community sector organisations and/or at-risk communities to improve their preparedness and resilience to the impacts of future disasters would best align with this category in Stream 2. 

An applicant must submit an EOI that will be subject to review and screening by the RA, using the NSW EOI application form. Based on screening outcomes, the RA will invite suitable projects to submit a Final Proposal. Applicants must first submit an EOI to be considered for invitation to the Final Proposal stage. 

The RA will open the mandatory EOI application process on 6 November 2023 and close at 12 noon on 8 December 2023. Applicants will need to submit an EOI via the SmartyGrants online platform.  

Submission of an EOI does not guarantee an invitation to submit a Final Proposal or inclusion in the NSW Application and/or assessment by the Australian Government. The RA have absolute discretion on the projects that will be invited to submit a Final Proposal and projects that will be included in the NSW Application and submitted to the Australian Government for assessment and awarding of funding. 

Please see the NSW EOI Guidance for further guidance and information on submitting a project. 

No, only Australian state and territory government lead agencies are eligible to apply for funding via an overarching state Application to the Australian Government comprising of all project proposals.

The RA is the jurisdictional lead agency and ‘applicant’ on behalf of NSW. The RA will conduct the mandatory EOI and Final Proposal process to identify suitable projects for inclusion in the NSW Application to be submitted to the Australian Government. The Australian Government is the final decision maker on assessment of projects and awarding of funding. ​

As part of the NSW EOI applicants will be asked to select from three co-contribution options found in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria - further information’ section of the NSW EOI Guidance.  

Co-contribution costs can include, but are not limited to: 

• a direct (cash) funding contribution provided at the time of project commencement; 

• funds the Project has already invested in a program or project on or any time after 1 July 2020 (only where the Commonwealth’s DRF contribution is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives) 

• any costs associated with the project’s delivery, for example construction or project delivery; and 

• other in-kind costs, such as wages directly attributable to the delivery of the project, and/ or supplies, materials, and specific equipment required to execute the project. 

Note that Commonwealth funding from any source (including historical) cannot be used to cover the co-contribution, either fully or in-part. 

Applicants are encouraged to consider eligible in-kind co-contributions that could accumulate to meet the 50% co-contribution, including: 

• funds the Project has already invested in a program or project on or any time after 1 July 2020 (only where the Commonwealth’s DRF contribution is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives) 

• any costs associated with the project’s delivery, for example construction or project delivery; and 

• other in-kind costs, such as wages directly attributable to the delivery of the project, and/ or supplies, materials, and specific equipment required to execute the project. 

As part of the NSW EOI application form applicants will be asked to select from three co-contribution options found in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria - further information’ section of the NSW EOI Guidance, including the option to request 25% State co-contribution or request a Commonwealth Government waiver or co-contribution reduction (in rare and exceptional circumstances). 

While applicants may apply for the 25% State co-contribution, there is no guarantee that this request will be approved and any requests that are approved will be at RA’s complete discretion. Requests for Commonwealth Government waivers or co-contribution reductions will only be considered in rare and exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Commonwealth. 

Applicants may request a waiver or partial-waiver (co-contribution reduction) from the Commonwealth Government in the NSW EOI application form. 

Requests for waivers or co-contribution reductions will only be considered in rare and exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Commonwealth. Recent natural disasters or high recent disaster expenditure will not qualify as exceptional circumstances. 

Additional information on the waiver request will be required as part of the Final Proposal, in line with requirements set by the Commonwealth Government. Additional information may include evidence justifying the waiver request, demonstrated need, project impacts, delivery challenges, remoteness and/or vulnerability of the community. 

Further information Commonwealth Government co-contribution waivers will be made available during the Final Proposal stage. 

NSW state funding or other funding source approved for a project after 1 July 2020 is eligible as a co-contribution source (only where the Commonwealth’s contribution from the DRF is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives). If the original source of this State funding is grant funding, please ensure that the guidelines for the grant funding allow it to be used as a co-contribution.

Some applicants may need to seek formal advice from NSW Treasury regarding suitability of using NSW Treasury funding for co-contributions where relevant. Please note Commonwealth funding sources are not eligible co-contribution sources for the DRF.

Applicants are permitted to provide an in-principle co-contribution (i.e. a co-contribution pending formal approval) when submitting a project, while the co-contribution is being approved to secure the formal (actual) co-contribution. Applicants must be able to commit to the formal co-contribution prior to the signing of Funding Agreements. If an in-principle co-contribution does not result in the actual co-contribution prior to the signing of Funding Agreements, the offer for funding will be withdrawn. Applicants are advised to be clear when and how co-contributions will be available to provide the Commonwealth Panel assurance that the in-principle co-contribution will eventuate.

Yes. Eligible lead applicants that are awarded DRF funding by the Commonwealth may establish sub-contracting arrangements with project partners under the project governance structure, including for any co-contribution arrangements provided by partners.

Eligible expenditure items are listed in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria - further information’ section of the NSW EOI Guidance. 

Staff salaries and on-costs that are directly attributed to the provision of the project are eligible expenditure items. This includes staff, contractor and consultancy salaries and on-costs, including administration costs such as training, utilities and travel, that are directly attributed to the provision of the project. 

Capital purchases are considered to be eligible expenditure if they are for the purpose of direct project delivery. Where a capital purchase would only be used occasionally or indirectly to deliver the project, the capital purchase would not be considered as an eligible expenditure item. Applicants should consider whether the capital item is more cost effective to hire and request funding accordingly. 

All eligible expenditure items are listed in the ‘Applicant eligibility criteria - further information’ section of the NSW EOI Guidance.  

The NSW EOI Guidance specifies that co-contributions for funds the project has already invested in a program or project may be on or any time after 1 July 2020, and only where the Commonwealth’s contribution from the DRF is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives. 

The development of a business case or preliminary work directly related to the delivery of the project may be included as part of the co-contribution. Applicants may be required to provide additional information to evidence the previous work and how it is related to the direct delivery of the project. 

The NSW EOI Guidance specifies that co-contributions for funds the project has already invested in a program or project may be on or any time after 1 July 2020, and only where the Commonwealth’s contribution from the DRF is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives. 

Volunteer hours contributed from 1 July 2020 that are directly related to delivery of the project would be considered an acceptable co-contribution, provided they are appropriately costed. Applicants must be able to justify the hourly rate or dollar value attributed to the volunteer work. 

Repair, recovery or relief works will not be funded as part of the DRF. The DRF is a disaster resilience and risk reduction initiative that was established to reduce the impacts of future disasters predicated by natural hazards. The NSW EOI Guidance specifies the funding Streams and categories that projects must align to (at least one category within Stream 1 or Stream 2), which does not include repair, recovery or relief works. 

Repair, recovery and relief works as a guide would include works covered through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. This may include the following examples: the repair or restoration of infrastructure and/or assets, materials or equipment damaged by natural hazard/s; recovery and relief efforts managing the disruptions and changes caused by natural disaster impacts; emergency response works such as clean-up, aid, relief, community recovery work such as work with individuals or families experiencing personal hardship or distress due to a recent natural disaster, or essential services post a natural hazard event; and, works associated with past natural hazards that does not relate to preparedness, resilience and/or risk reduction for future natural hazard impacts. 

RA can also submit and EOI for a project proposal for inclusion in the NSW Application. As RA is the Lead Agency for the NSW Application, probity measures have been implemented to ensure that there is a complete separation between RA staff who will be undertaking the EOI assessment and screening, and the individuals who will be involved in the development of the RA EOI submission.

Technical experts and an executive panel (including external members) will also conduct screening, scoring and a recommendation of projects to be invited to submit final proposals. Separation of roles will be maintained throughout these processes, whereby any staff involved in an RA application will not be involved in the screening or recommendation of that project. Established probity protocols will be adhered to including Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest protocols. The DRF Probity Advisor (refer below) will also be providing oversight of the process to ensure this separation is maintained.  

The Commonwealth Government are the final decision maker in awarding funding. The Commonwealth assessment process and criteria will be detailed in the Round 2 DRF Guidelines that will be available in January 2024.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has appointed O’Connor Marsden & Associates as the probity advisor for the NSW application process.

Should you have any concerns regarding the probity or integrity of the NSW application please email the RA in the first instance at: drfnsw@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

Detailed information on how to submit an EOI, applicant eligibility, project eligibility, and screening criteria, is available in the NSW EOI Guidance.  

Frequently asked questions will be updated regularly to provide all potential applicants with the same information. 

Please note that the NSW DRF Team cannot provide advice on project ideas and the development of project concepts. 

EOI support sessions were held on 13, 15 and 17 November to help potential applicants to understand the EOI application form requirements, and ultimately to submit a high quality EOI that addresses the screening criteria.  

EOI support session presentation slides and recordings are available in the Document for Download section below. 

Applicant support to develop Final Proposals may be provided. Information on this will be released in time.  

Potential applicants may ask any questions or request to be added to the mailing list by contacting drfnsw@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.