Prawn Fisher’s Financial Guidance and Training Support Program Guidelines

The intended recipients of grants under the program are commercial fishing business owners that hold Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 and Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares.

The source agency for the program is the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (the department). 

The department is administering the program.

This grant opportunity is for up to $1,000 (including GST) per impacted prawn fisher for financial guidance and up to $9,000 (including GST) per impacted prawn fisher for training.

A key principle of any grant program is to achieve value for money. This is important to ensure that the benefits of the grants are maximised for the people of NSW. Ways in which applicants may contribute to delivering value for money include, for example:

• consider the most efficient and innovative means of carrying out grant activities
• consider how government objectives and the applicant’s identified needs can be mutually achieved
• adopt an effective approach to identifying and managing risks
• collaborate with officials in monitoring and evaluation processes.

The program is designed to deliver value for money by supporting commercial fishing business owners to transition to the long-term management of white spot virus in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond River areas.

Each project funded under the program must be completed, with the best endeavours, within 30 business days following receipt of a complete application.

This program is targeted. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria may be interested in applying for alternative NSW Government grants available  on the Grants and funding finder website.

To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be one of the following:
  • a company incorporated in Australia
  • an incorporated association or co-operative
  • a partnership
  • a sole trader
  • be registered for GST
• declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
• Shares: Provide evidence of ownership of a fishing business component of which are Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares.

To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be one of the following:
  • a company incorporated in Australia  
  • an incorporated association or co-operative  
  • a partnership
  • a sole trader  
  • be registered for GST  
• declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
• own a fishing business component of which are Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares.  Provide evidence of ownership of a fishing business component of which are Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares, and the support payment conditional on the surrender of shares.

The project/activities must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible:

1. Timeframe: Apply for the grant funding by 11 June 2026.
2. Shares: Provide evidence of ownership of a fishing business component of which are Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares.
3. If applying for the Training Grants (up to $9000) the support payment details on the surrender of shares for all the Estuary General Prawning – Region 1, Estuary General Prawning – Region 2 or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares must be provided.

The project costs must support the objectives of the program.

The following types of project costs are eligible for funding: 

• Financial guidance obtained via a suitably accredited advisor
• Training from a Registered Training Organisation (“RTO”) 

Some examples of eligible project costs are as follows. They are listed as guidance only: 

• Chartered Accountant consultation business transition guidance.
• Enrolment in training with an RTO

The following project costs are ineligible for funding: 

• Financial guidance from unqualified person
• Training from an organisation that it is non-registered
• Claims for software or hardware to assist with financial and training matters.

Applicants must complete and submit the department’s application form, which should be accompanied by the documentation stated on the form. Forms can be found on the Fisheries website.

Applicants can only submit one application per financial assistance offering.

Note: Applicants can apply for both financial guidance and training in one or separate applications, subject to their needs.

Each application must include the documents listed in the Application Form, which include your NSW DPIRD issued Fishing Business Determination Certificate.

If an application is missing information or is incomplete, the department may, in its sole discretion, work with you to clarify or request any missing or incomplete information from you or any business or individual you have engaged. However, the department will not start assessing the application until, in the department’s sole opinion, the application is complete. 

The department may withdraw an application once there has been no response to 3 attempts at contact with the applicant.

You must not include false or misleading information in your application. If an application contains false or misleading information, the department may deal with it as it determines in the circumstances and may, for example, determine that the application is ineligible. 

All requests for extensions must be received in writing by 1pm on the application closing date and be approved by the Director Fisheries Management.  

Applicants will receive a notification of receipt by email.

The department may contact you to verify information or seek further information. The department may also carry out its own enquiries to validate any information provided in the course of assessing the application.

Applicants are expected to be notified of the assessment outcome by 18 June 2026.

De-identified information on applicant funding per Local Government Area will be published on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder website.

If an application is not found suitable for funding, DPIRD will inform the applicant in writing of the outcome and provide the opportunity for feedback.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility or need assistance submitting your application, please contact the department.

Phone: 1300 726 488

Email: commercialfisheries@dpird.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries 

If you need help understanding these guidelines or completing the application form, you should seek the assistance of your rural/financial counsellor, business advisor, accountant or a trusted family member/friend. 

If you need assistance with interpreting or translating, please contact Multicultural NSW on 1300 651 500 or email languageservices@multicultural.nsw.gov.au. 

Applications received after the advertised application closing date cannot be accepted, unless an extension has been agreed to.

Approved applicants will need to complete and submit the department’s claims form, which should be accompanied by the documentation stated on the form and listed in the section Eligible Costs. Forms can be found on www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

The department will pay successful applicants up to $9,000 (GST inclusive) for training. Applicants will be required to submit valid tax invoices to access payment.

The department will pay successful applicants up to $1000 (GST inclusive) for financial guidance costs upon submission of valid tax invoices. 

Applicants will be asked for their banking details (BSB and account number) on the application form for the payment to be made. 

Payments will generally be made within 15 business days. 

The department recommends individuals seek independent professional advice on their specific taxation obligations. 

The department, NSW Government agencies or their agents may audit applications to determine compliance with these Program Guidelines. 

The NSW Government may conduct audit and assurance activities to determine compliance with these Program Guidelines. 

Your application, personal information and supporting documentation may be disclosed between the department and other NSW Government agencies and their agents for the purpose of these activities, or a directly related purpose, in accordance with the terms of the Privacy Collection Notice.

The GIPA Act provides for the proactive release of government information by agencies and gives members of the public an enforceable right to access government information held by an agency (which includes Ministerial offices). Access to government information is only to be restricted if there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

The NSW Legislative Council has the power to order the production of State papers by the Executive Government. Standing Order 52 provides that the House may order documents to be tabled by the Government in the House. The Cabinet Office coordinates the preparation of the papers – that is, the return to order.  The return to order may contain privileged and public documents. Privileged documents are available only to members of the Legislative Council. 

Note that documents submitted as part of a grant application may be subject to an application under the GIPA Act or an order for papers under Standing Order 52.  
If applicants require further information about the GIPA Act and/or Standing Order 52, please contact the department using the contact information at Enquiries/Getting Support in the Key information.

You must consent to the department conducting an audit of evidentiary records to verify the amounts given under the Program have been used in accordance with the claim.

You must keep the outcome of the payment confidential until the NSW Government makes a public announcement, regardless of the outcome of your application. 

You must not offer any gifts, benefits or hospitality to any NSW Government employee at any time. Any inducement in contravention of this condition may result in your application not being considered.

The department takes fraud and corruption seriously. Suspected fraud will be assessed and investigated as appropriate, which may require the involvement of external parties such as the NSW Police Force or the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

By signing the application form, you declare that the information provided in your application form and supporting documentation is true and accurate.

Providing inaccurate, untrue or misleading information may be a breach of criminal law for which serious penalties may apply. 

The department responds to fraud by: 

1. audit and site validation of applications and claims that are of concern
2. referral to the NSW Police Force or ICAC of suspected fraud
3. recovery of any assistance provided under a fraudulent application. 

An application approval may be delayed where the outcome of relevant legal or validation actions may impact the decision to grant further assistance.

The department reserves the right to pursue and recover funding provided under fraudulent and dishonest circumstances.

The NSW Government may, in its absolute discretion, and without limiting any other rights which it may have, do all or any of the following at any time without giving notice or reasons:

• require additional information from an applicant
• change any of the requirements of these guidelines
• alter or vary any process, procedure or timing related to the grant
• suspend or terminate the grant opportunity
• consider any non-conforming application
• terminate an applicant’s further participation in the grant opportunity for any reason (including if the department considers that an application contains false or misleading statements or may damage the reputation of the department or the program).

While care has been taken in preparing these guidelines, the department will not be liable in any way for any errors, omissions or variations to information in these Program Guidelines or for not advising you of any errors, omissions or variations to details in these Program Guidelines.

Accredited financial representative: A representative of a firm that provides financial guidance to businesses and employs staff such as Chartered Accountants.

Approval: An application will be approved based on eligibility with the criteria listed in section Selection Criteria.

Impacted business: A prawn fishing business with shares held in the Clarence, Evans and/or Richmond River areas.

Proof of payment: Valid tax invoices from an RTO for training costs, and a valid tax invoice for financial costs. DPIRD reserves the right to obtain proof of payment for these tax invoices. If requested, you will be asked to provide a copy of your bank transfer(s) and/or bank statement(s) with any relevant valid tax invoice from suppliers or contractors.

Registered Training Organisation: An organisation that delivers nationally recognised training in the training and vocational education sector.

Valid tax invoice: An invoice including the name, address and ABN (if applicable) of the entity that issued the invoice and a description of each item to which the invoice relates, which is clearly identifiable as being related to approved expenditure for the applicant. The department can ask for proof of payment of the invoice.

You and your: These terms refer to the applicant in the context of these guidelines and the related application process.