Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Program 2026

Activities completed outside the funding agreement

• Activities carried out before the funding agreement is signed or after the funding agreement has ended are not eligible for funding under this program.

Administration – non-project related

• Operational costs of organisations that are not project specific are not eligible for funding under this program. Project-related administration cannot exceed 10% of the total grant funds.

Aesthetics, amenity and recreation

• Activities focused solely on improving aesthetics, local amenity, or recreational opportunities, such as gardening or grounds management, are not eligible for funding under this program. The Trust's funding is intended to support projects that deliver positive environmental outcomes for New South Wales, with a clear focus on conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of natural ecosystems.

For example, upgrading or constructing tracks solely for amenity or recreation purposes is not eligible for funding. For more information, refer to Track management for conservation.

Capital purchases

• Grant funds cannot be used for capital purchases, which are defined as equipment or assets with a long-term useful life and substantial cost, typically retained beyond the duration of the project. This includes purchasing major equipment or assets that have value beyond the project period.
• However, small capital equipment purchases are allowed if it can be demonstrated purchasing the equipment is more cost-effective than leasing it for the life of the project. Generally, the cost of capital items should not exceed 20% of the total project budget.
• Essential project equipment may still be eligible for funding if leased or rented, as outlined in Equipment hire.

Changes of land tenure or resource licensing

• Expenses associated with activities involving the transfer of land or resource licences (for example, water extraction licences, whether private or public) between landholders are not eligible for funding under this program.

Core business

• Activities that are typically the core responsibility of local or state government authorities or educational institutions are not eligible for funding under this program. The concept of ‘core business’ can vary between organisations but generally refers to the essential or legal responsibilities an organisation must fulfil.
• While we can fund projects that relate to an organisation's core business, we will only support work that goes beyond the organisation’s usual duties or day-to-day operations.
• In your application, you must demonstrate the proposed activities are not part of your core business. This could include providing evidence of unfunded activities outlined in strategic or operational plans, or activities that fall outside your typical responsibilities.

Devolved grants

• Devolved grants (that is, grants administered by a third party that is not an approved external manager) are not eligible for funding under this program. Grantees are fully responsible for managing and spending all awarded funds.
• In cases where a project involves multiple landholders in a catchment or regional scale, with a coordinating grantee overseeing the project, it is considered a partnership project, not a devolved-grant project. In this scenario, the coordinating grantee will be responsible for procurement, contractor payments, and the purchase of materials for work carried out on landholders' properties, as well as managing the Trust funds.
• Lump-sum payments cannot be made directly to project partners or stakeholders for activities on their properties. If activities are to take place on stakeholder land, the grantee must organise, manage and pay for these activities (including contractor labour) directly, without providing funds to the stakeholders.

Employment of project staff

• Salaries of staff not covered under either options 1 or 2, as defined above in
  Employing project management staff (see the ‘Eligible project activities’ section of these guidelines), are not eligible for funding under this program.

Insurance

• The cost of association liability insurance is not eligible for funding under this program.

Lethal control methods of pest animal management

• Lethal control methods — including shooting, trapping, or any measures that harm or kill animals — are strictly prohibited.
• Strategic, long-term control, exclusion and monitoring of feral pest animal species through non-lethal, physical interventions are eligible activities under this grant. See Pest animal management for pest management activities that are eligible for funding.

Maintenance

• Continued maintenance of projects previously undertaken by your organisation are not eligible for funding under this program.

Project planning

• Grant funds cannot be used to fund the development of overarching project plans. However, site management plans that are integral to the project and will be implemented as part of the work may be eligible for funding. See the Contractors and Consultants sections for more guidance.

Research activities

• Project activities focused solely on research or data collection that do not directly contribute to on-ground outcomes are not eligible for funding under this program.
• Surveys, data collection or mapping (for example) may be carried out to gather evidence required to demonstrate the effectiveness of on-ground works and approved project activities.

Stewardship, subsidy or incentive payments

• Stewardship, subsidy or incentive payments, including monetary compensation to organisations or individuals for maintaining or improving the environmental values of their land, are not eligible for funding under this program.
• Payments made as incentives to landholders for environmental stewardship are not permitted under this program.
• Trust funds must be managed directly by your organisation or your external manager. All financial transactions must adhere to the approved budget.

Waste management

• Projects that primarily focus on clean-up activities, litter collection, or waste management are not eligible for funding under this program. For more information on waste programs, refer to the Waste grant programs webpage.

Weed management

• Project activities that focus on implementing weed control activities covered by biosecurity directions or biosecurity undertakings under the Biosecurity Act are ineligible for funding under this program. These activities fall under the core responsibility of landowners and are enforceable by local control authorities.
• Weed control activities aimed at achieving economic outcomes, such as addressing issues that impact primary production, are also ineligible for funding under this program.

For more information, refer to the Biosecurity Act and relevant regional strategic weed management plans.