Aquaculture Industry Development Program Frequently Asked Questions

The intended recipients of the program are businesses in aquaculture (including hatcheries) and commercial fishing, relevant natural resource management organisations, key associations, industry peak bodies, post-harvest sector organisations and research organisations including Australian universities.

Intended recipients include Aboriginal businesses and organisations in either the aquaculture or commercial fishing industries.

Detailed information on who can apply for funding is provided within the program guidelines. 

As part of the application process, applicants will need to provide their organisation’s Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) code.

Applicants must be registered in one of the following ANZSIC codes:

• 02 Aquaculture (or any sub-category or class within this code)
• 041 Fishing (or any sub-category or class within this code)
• 0529 Other Agriculture and Fishing Support Services
• 691 Scientific Research Services or 699 Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• 81 Tertiary Education (or any sub-category or class within this code)

Where an applicant is not registered in one of the above ANZSIC codes, the applicant must provide further information in their application to support their suitability for funding under this program.

The program will fund projects that enable growth or productivity improvements, lower carbon outputs, increase resilience to climate change outcomes or deliver circular economy outcomes in the NSW aquaculture and commercial fishing industries.

A list of eligible project examples is provided within the program guidelines.

Projects must be in one of the 95 regional NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs), the Unincorporated Far West region or on Lord Howe Island. Projects located in the Sydney metropolitan area are ineligible.

A list of the eligible project locations is provided within the program guidelines.

No. However, the project must be located within an eligible LGA and demonstrate clear benefits to the aquaculture and commercial fishing industries and local communities within an eligible LGA.

Applicants can only apply for funding under one stream per application. Applicants should select the stream most appropriate for their project.

Yes. There is no restriction on the number of applications submitted. Applicants are encouraged to allow sufficient time to prepare quality applications for their priority projects.

Yes, applicants must make a financial contribution towards the project of at least 20% of the total project cost.

Exemptions from all or part of the mandatory co-contribution requirement may be considered for reasons related to exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the department.

Financial contributions from other grants received from the Australian Government can be included, however grants from the NSW Government cannot be included in the minimum required amount. Grants not secured should not be relied on a as co-contribution.

Projects must start within 6 months of the commencement date of the funding deed and be completed within 4 years from this date.

Project delivery timeframes are subject to the terms and conditions of an executed funding deed.

Successful applicants must not begin their project until both the applicant and the department have executed a funding deed.

Costs incurred prior to the execution of a funding deed are ineligible for grant funding and will not be reimbursed.

This requirement does not stop an applicant from progressing project approvals such as development approval or similar regulatory requirements prior to being notified of the application outcome.

Any costs incurred prior to the execution of a funding deed must either be incurred by the applicant, or if listed in the application as an eligible cost must be from the applicant’s co-contribution and evidenced as a cash payment incurred after an offer of grant funding has been accepted

Yes. It is possible for an applicant to have a physical business/organisation location that is not within one of the eligible locations if the proposed project is being delivered in an eligible area, and provided the applicant meets all the other eligibility criteria.

Applications will need to clearly demonstrate that the majority of the project will be undertaken in, and deliver outcomes and benefits in, an eligible area as outlined in the program guidelines.

You must provide evidence, such as quotes or detailed estimates, to support your project budget.

If your application is successful, you will be required to produce receipts and/or evidence of expenditure for all project costs, dated within the project start and end dates for reimbursement.

Costs incurred prior to the execution of a funding deed are ineligible and will not be reimbursed.

The purchase of non-fixed equipment can be included as part of an application where the equipment relates specifically to the delivery of the project and is essential to its success.

For example, an applicant that proposes to construct a building can include the purchase of non-fixed equipment, plant or machinery as part of their application where the equipment is required to ensure the outcomes of the project can be achieved.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that the purchase of non-fixed equipment is essential to the project as part of their application.

Applicants can obtain technical support in preparing their applications, for example, assistance with online forms and practical guidance on how to complete an application.

Please contact the department’s program delivery team at regionaldevelopmenttrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au for support.

The guidelines for the Aquaculture Industry Development Program have been amended to include sole traders and partnerships (under Australian taxation law) as eligible entity types. This change reflects feedback received from the aquaculture industry indicating that some sole traders and partnerships may be able to apply and benefit from grants that aim to grow and develop the sector. All other eligibility criteria must still be met.