Grants Hub

There are many potential sources of grants or funding for community projects. These include; government funding (state and federal), private philanthropic organisations and even private companies who may offer sponsorship. To get you started on your grants journey click on the category below that matches your project and have a browse. If you are unsure about which category is a match contact our grants officers for some advice.

Please note - Council does not provide funding to individuals. Twice a year applications are taken for Council's Community Funding Program. Click here for more information.

Grants Officer

Forbes Shire Council has a Grants Officer available to assist residents in finding and preparing grant applications. The Grants Officer can not only assist you to find a funding source but can give you some great tips on giving yourself the best chance of success. Hint – number one is about committing to planning your project well before you start to even think about how you are going to pay for it!

To learn more about the grants available and other great tips make an appointment to discuss by contacting Council 02 6850 2300 or email grants@forbes.nsw.gov.au

Monthly Grants Newsletter - The Grants Feed

Community

These grants provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. The grants form part of the State and Federal Government's work to support volunteers, as well as to encourage and increase participation in volunteering.

31 October 2024 Evolution Mining Northparkes has two Community Investment Program rounds each year with $50,000 awarded to successful applicants each round – that’s a total of $100,000 in funding. Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed after the closing dates of 30 April and 31 October each year. They support initiatives which contribute to the Parkes and Forbes local government areas in the following categories: economic development, culture and recreation, education and youth, environment and health.

Closes	Grant	Description

Ongoing	Strengthening Rural Communities - Prepare and Recover	The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover program supports communities in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters through the medium to long term process. Grants up to $25,000 are available for a broad range of initiatives that focus on community-led resilience building in recovery or preparedness to strengthen the capacity and capability of local people and systems, especially to manage the impact of future disasters. Projects that focus on strengthening local inclusion, networks, communication, information sharing, self-organising systems, local decision making, resourcing, tools and support will be prioritised. Demonstration of project need must reference a specific climate impact or event, either historic or likely to occur in the future.
Ongoing	Strengthening Rural Communities - Small & Vital Grants	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. There are two tiers of Small & Vital funding available: Small 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). The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 12 months. Targeted larger leverage grants up to $50,000 are available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults enabling them to get online, build social connections, and access services, information, education and employment through training, as well as acquiring the digital and connectivity infrastructure where needed. The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 18 months.
Ongoing	IOOF Foundation Community Grant	The IOOF Foundation provides grants that support Australian not-for-profit organisations working with disadvantaged families, children and youth. The general grant program is for funding on average for $75,000 per year for up to two years. Please ensure you provide as much budget information as possible to enable us to evaluate the grant amount requested against funds available to distribute. Whilst our initial general grants are on average $75,000, we do have current grants ranging from $10,000 - $150,000 pa.
Ongoing	CFC Foundation Community Grants	The Foundation is responsive to requests that contribute to increasing access to opportunities and is dedicated to supporting charities, non-profit organisations, and social enterprises that work within the four primary focus areas: Education Medical Research & Health Disadvantage Youth Arts & Culture
Ongoing	Inland Rail Community Grants Program	Funding will be available to short-term projects and activities that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing and sustainability, such as upgrading community facilities and equipment, implementing unique STEM project in schools, mentoring and developing local business communities and hosting community events.
Ongoing	Building Better Communities Program	Bernardi's invites the community to nominate local organisations who need a helping hand! Bernardi's will then choose three beneficiaries every six months who will share in $5000, recipients are selected through in store voting. At the end of the six-month voting period, the beneficiaries will receive; First vote holder $2,500 Second vote holder $1,500 Third vote holder $1,000
Ongoing	Graincorp Sponsorships	GrainCorp's sponsorships program is designed to specifically support regional sporting clubs and community events to ensure social inclusion and positive health outcomes for our employees, customers, and broader communities. Sponsorships are awarded as a financial contribution, in exchange for promotion of the GrainCorp brand or services. Applications will be accepted any time as it is open year-round. Sponsorships available: Community events Sporting club and leagues
26 September 2025	Revive Live \| Office for the Arts	The program will provide essential support to established live music venues and music festivals to assist them to continue to operate in the current operating climate, limiting venue closures and event cancellations, and stimulating long-term sustainability. Applications for grant funding will be accepted under two streams: Live music venues - with a maximum grant amount of $150,000. Music festivals - with a maximum grant amount dependent on proven audience size: Festivals with 10,00 or less attendees, the maximum grant amount is $150,000. Festivals with greater than 10,000 attendees, the maximum grant amount is $250,000.
30 September 2025	Education Grants	CWA of NSW offers a variety of Education Grants to students from NSW. For more information click on the link. Application forms are available from State Office or from your local Branch. All applications must be sent directly to State Office, by email or mail, including a brief outline of the applicant’s goals and aims and two letters of recommendation – one educational and one other (eg CWA of NSW member, sports coach, Minister of Religion, employer etc but not a family member). For the contact details of your local Branch, visit the Branches and Groups page on this website or call State Office on (02) 8337 0200.
12 October 2025	Innovate with NBN Grants Program	Delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, this grant supports regional businesses that are using the nbn® network to drive innovation, improve productivity, and deliver meaningful social and economic outcomes in their communities. Aligned to the nbn® purpose to elevate Australia by connecting people and powering progress, this year’s program features seven categories, including a new Sport & Recreation category and a combined Arts & Tourism category. Each category winner will receive $15,000, with an additional $20,000 awarded to the overall winner. We're looking for digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who are: making the most of the nbn network to help enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society challenging the traditional markets in regional Australia lifting digital participation and stimulating regional economies championing digital adoption for regional and remote communities
20 October 2025	RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships	Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW and the ACT, who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Scholarships of up to $7,000 are available for full-time students and up to $3,500 for part-time students. The scholarships are paid in three instalments throughout the year, with the first instalment paid in April of each year.There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the applicant. You could be studying anything from physiotherapy, engineering, teaching, agricultural science, horticulture, medicine and commerce - and almost everything in between. You could be studying at University, TAFE or VET courses, on campus or by distance learning. However applicants all have one thing in common - a desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW.
Opens 24 November 2025 Closes 15 December 2025	Clubgrants Category 3 - Disaster Readiness	Funding to support disaster readiness infrastructure such as evacuation centres, capital equipment or a multipurpose community facility. The objective of the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program is to fund the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure to deliver outcomes for disadvantaged NSW communities including regional, remote and drought-affected areas, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disaster-affected communities. Disaster Readiness - $50,000 to $200,000 available per project
Opens 24 November 2025 Closes 15 December 2025	Clubgrants Category 3 - Community Infrastructure	Funding to support community infrastructure such as a multipurpose community hub or a service for an eligible community group. The objective of the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program is to fund the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure to deliver outcomes for disadvantaged NSW communities including regional, remote and drought-affected areas, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disaster-affected communities. Community Infrastructure - $50,000 to $250,000 available per project
31 December 2025	Tertiary Access Payment	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 or equivalent. If you are a student from outer regional, remote, or very remote areas you can apply for up to $5,000 to relocate to participate in tertiary education in your first year of study. The payment is made in two instalments the first payment being made 42 days (six weeks) after the qualifying tertiary course start date.If you are a student from an inner regional area you can apply for $3,000 to relocate to participate in tertiary education in your first year of study. A single instalment is made 42 days (six weeks) after the qualifying tertiary course start date.You can apply for the TAP in the calendar year you commence your first year of study in a qualifying tertiary course until the age of 22 (inclusive). You must apply between the applicable opening and closing dates.The TAP is intended to help you with the costs of relocating to access and participate in tertiary education. Eligible students are not restricted as to how the payment can be used.
31 January 2025	Community Funding Program	Council provides support to encourage and assist community groups and organisations to make a positive and ongoing contribution to the community's wellbeing, cultural life, environmental sustainability and economic growth. The Community Funding Program is open twice annually and a total of $150,000 is available across two rounds for projects (including programs, activities, events and capital works) in four categories: Sport and Recreation; Culture and the Arts; Community Services; and Rural Village Enhancement. Not-for-profit community groups and organisations can access up to $5,000 in assistance for each project as either a cash contribution, in-kind support, or a combination of both.
05 February 2026	Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program	The objective of the program is to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia's service personnel who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations, including National Service personnel, and their families. The intended outcome of the program is to provide funding for projects and activities that: promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service, and the role of service personnel preserve, add to the sum of knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage. There are 2 categories of grants available under the program: 1. Community Grants (STS-CG)Grants up to $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities. 2. Major Grants (STS- MG) Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or broader regional perspective.
01 July 2026	Resilient Homes Program - Central West	The Resilient Homes Program helps communities recover from disasters. It also makes eligible homes in high-risk areas more resilient to the impacts of future disasters. This program is being delivered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA). What help can I get? Home Buyback – a buyback of the property whereby the homeowner receives a payment for the purchase of the property Home Raising – a grant payment of up to $100,000 including GST towards the cost of elevating the liveable areas of the home and associated consequential works Home Rebuild – a grant payment of up to $100,000 including GST towards the cost of rebuilding a more resilient home where the property was destroyed or uninhabitable Home Relocation – a grant of up to $100,000 including GST to help homeowners relocate their current home to a safer location on their property, or to another property in the region Home Retrofit – a grant payment up to $50,000 including GST towards the cost of retrofitting and/or repair work of on the home to incorporate flood resilient design and materials in eligible areas. Where the estimated costs for the Resilient Measures (i.e. Home Raising, Home Rebuild, Home Relocation and Home Retrofit) is more than the available grant value, RA will match financial contributions provided by the homeowner for eligible activities (co-contribution) up to a maximum of 100% of the available grant value. The maximum for a single home is: Home Raising or Home Rebuild - $100,000 including GST plus $100,000 in co-contribution up to the maximum grant value of $200,000 in total including GST. Home Retrofit - $50,000 including GST plus $50,000 in co-contribution up to a maximum grant value of $100,000 in total. Free Home Assessments are also available for homeowners who may be eligible for Resilient Measures. In the Central West, homeowners within the Home Assessment stream will also eligible for a Home Assessment.

Sports

Various grants are available for encouraging sporting pursuits of all ages. They can provide funds to buy equipment and uniforms through to infrastructure and maintenance of grounds.

Closes	Grant	Description
Opens 01 October 2025	Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund	Provides funding for community cricket facility projects, with a focus on growing participation and promoting accessibility and inclusivity. The objectives of the ACIF are to: Improve the quantity, quality, innovation and consistency of cricket infrastructure across all levels of community cricket Support the development of community cricket facilities that contribute to the delivery of Australian Cricket's strategic priorities (e.g. supporting the attraction and retention of 5-12 year old participants) Support cricket facility development in areas of demand, particularly areas of significant participation and population growth Create inclusive and accessible environments for cricket participants and the broader community Collaborate with all levels of government and funding partners to invest in strategic infrastructure priorities.
Opens 24 November 2025 Closes 15 December 2025	Clubgrants Category 3 - Sport & Recreation	Funding to support sport and recreation infrastructure such as sports centres, playgrounds and swimming pools. The objective of the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program is to fund the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure to deliver outcomes for disadvantaged NSW communities including regional, remote and drought-affected areas, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disaster-affected communities. Sport & Recreation - $50,000 to $300,000 available per project
Ongoing	Local Para Champions	The Local Para Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national or international championships for athletes with a disability. If successful, applicants will receive $750-$1000 towards the cost of attending their championships Base Grant: $750 Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: +$100 Applicants travelling internationally or greater that 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200 Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50
Ongoing	Local Sporting Champions	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: $750 Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: +$100 Applicants travelling internationally or greater that 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200 Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

Arts

Art Grants offer support to artists in all fields of the arts to support them in creating their work, and free them up to concentrate on creating. These grants can cover all forms of the Arts including performance, collaborations, productions, publishing, recording and creative development.

Closes	Grant	Description
07 October 2025	Next Steps - Professional Development	This funding focuses on professional development for individual artists, arts and cultural workers to enable participation in skills development opportunities, workshops, courses and creative sector conferences and networking events. This funding will: enable career development for artists and arts and cultural workers support opportunities that develop cultural leadership capacities, skills and knowledge promote professional networking and collaboration encourage personal wellbeing and resilience. The project is your professional development activity. It must be a clearly defined arts and cultural activity. It must benefit individual NSW artists or arts and cultural workers. It must provide professional and/or skills development opportunities to advance their careers. These activities might include: research, training, coaching, or mentoring, or attending workshops, conferences, nationally or internationally.
Opens 24 November 2025 Closes 15 December 2025	Clubgrants Category 3 - Arts and Culture	Funding to support arts and culture infrastructure such as museums, art galleries or cultural centres. The objective of the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program is to fund the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure to deliver outcomes for disadvantaged NSW communities including regional, remote and drought-affected areas, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disaster-affected communities. Arts & Culture - $50,000 to $200,000 available per project
Ongoing	Quick response Grant NSW	Quick Response Grants offer funding for regional artists, arts organisations and communities to respond to unique arts opportunities that present themselves at very short notice. You can apply for Quick Response Grants up to $3,000 for individuals and $5,000 for organisations. There is no minimum grant amount. Assessors will make decisions around funding allocated to successful applicants, taking into consideration the quantum of funds available in the individual state/territory. In exceptional circumstances, applicants located in very remote areas may be permitted to apply for larger grants. Please note: There are no rounds in December and January.
Ongoing	Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups	Up to $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all art forms. This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Supported activities must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date. If you need advice about applying, contact an Artists Services Officer.

Environment

Environmental Grants can support community groups undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, on land or in air, rural or urban. We will direct organisations and individuals to the right support grants available.

Closes	Grant Title	Description
Ongoing	Small Environment Grants	Wettenhall Environment Trust are providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. The Trust support grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. The Trust are looking for projects around about flora and fauna conservation around Australia. These projects should involve any of the following: monitoring, recording and sharing data; delivering community education; providing community capacity building (e.g. training); research and science. Grants are usually under $10,000. Wettenhall also grants on behalf of donors, and sometimes these programs can be over $10,000. If you have a project over $10,000, check with the Executive Director. Universities and academics can only apply for up to $5,000.

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Grant Title

Description

Ongoing

Small Environment Grants

Wettenhall Environment Trust are providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. The Trust support grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. The Trust are looking for projects around about flora and fauna conservation around Australia. These projects should involve any of the following: monitoring, recording and sharing data; delivering community education; providing community capacity building (e.g. training); research and science.

Grants are usually under $10,000. Wettenhall also grants on behalf of donors, and sometimes these programs can be over $10,000. If you have a project over $10,000, check with the Executive Director. Universities and academics can only apply for up to $5,000.

Agriculture

Funding, grants and assistance for agriculture industries can be found here.

Closes	Grant	Description
Opens 10 September 2025	Rural Women's Award	The AgriFuture Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities. The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities. A $15,000 Westpac grant is awarded to each state/territory winner, providing the financial resources to support a project, business or program that will benefit rural industries, businesses and/or communities. The grant can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; establishing business plans or pilot programs; developing educational or promotional campaigns; networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets; developing training programs; testing information technology initiatives; developing or testing a new business concept or innovation; and publishing books. Winners will also have the opportunity to complete a professional development training course and will attend a three-day workshop with all other state/territory winners, to focus on further professional development skills and refinement of their winning project, business or program.
Ongoing	Drought Ready and Resilient Fund	The NSW Government has committed $250 million to establish the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, an initiative designed to bolster the resilience of NSW farmers to future adverse weather events and climatic conditions, such as drought. Through the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, eligible primary producers can access a low interest loan up to $250,000 to help prepare for, manage and recover from drought. The loan can be used for products, activities and services relating to animal welfare, farm preparedness, income diversification, environmental improvements as well as training and business development. The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loan facility has been designed to complement the existing Drought Infrastructure Fund loan product, formerly known as the Farm Innovation Fund. (See Drought Infrastructure Fund here) The current interest rate for Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loans is: 5.10% per annum for a 5-year loan; 5.60% per annum for a 10-year loan Customers will be provided with an indicative interest rate at the point of application, however the rate applied to the loan will not be determined until the date of first drawn down. The interest rate applied to the loan is fixed for the term of the loan. Applications are now open and will continue to be accepted until program funding is exhausted.
Ongoing	One-off Community Assistance - Primary Producers	Rural Aid provides critical support of farmers and rural communities suffering the effects of drought, flood, fire or natural disaster. If you're a farming family in need of help, please let us know. If you know a farming family that needs help, tell them about this campaign. Upon successful completion of the registration form, please contact the Rural Aid team on 1300 327 624 during business hours. A member of our friendly team will then verify your registration details and help guide you through your application for the assistance. You must contact Rural Aid following your online or postal registration. Dependent on the farmer's eligibility and current situation, Rural Aid's assistance includes fodder supplies, domestic water, counselling services and more.

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Grant

Description

Opens 10 September 2025

Rural Women's Award

The AgriFuture Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities. The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.

A $15,000 Westpac grant is awarded to each state/territory winner, providing the financial resources to support a project, business or program that will benefit rural industries, businesses and/or communities. The grant can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; establishing business plans or pilot programs; developing educational or promotional campaigns; networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets; developing training programs; testing information technology initiatives; developing or testing a new business concept or innovation; and publishing books.

Winners will also have the opportunity to complete a professional development training course and will attend a three-day workshop with all other state/territory winners, to focus on further professional development skills and refinement of their winning project, business or program.

Ongoing

Drought Ready and Resilient Fund

The NSW Government has committed $250 million to establish the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, an initiative designed to bolster the resilience of NSW farmers to future adverse weather events and climatic conditions, such as drought. Through the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, eligible primary producers can access a low interest loan up to $250,000 to help prepare for, manage and recover from drought. The loan can be used for products, activities and services relating to animal welfare, farm preparedness, income diversification, environmental improvements as well as training and business development. The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loan facility has been designed to complement the existing Drought Infrastructure Fund loan product, formerly known as the Farm Innovation Fund. (See Drought Infrastructure Fund here) The current interest rate for Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loans is: 5.10% per annum for a 5-year loan; 5.60% per annum for a 10-year loan

Customers will be provided with an indicative interest rate at the point of application, however the rate applied to the loan will not be determined until the date of first drawn down. The interest rate applied to the loan is fixed for the term of the loan. Applications are now open and will continue to be accepted until program funding is exhausted.

Ongoing

One-off Community Assistance - Primary Producers

Rural Aid provides critical support of farmers and rural communities suffering the effects of drought, flood, fire or natural disaster.

If you're a farming family in need of help, please let us know. If you know a farming family that needs help, tell them about this campaign.

Upon successful completion of the registration form, please contact the Rural Aid team on 1300 327 624 during business hours. A member of our friendly team will then verify your registration details and help guide you through your application for the assistance.

You must contact Rural Aid following your online or postal registration. Dependent on the farmer's eligibility and current situation, Rural Aid's assistance includes fodder supplies, domestic water, counselling services and more.

Emergency Assistance

Funding, grants and assistance for those affected by natural disaster can be found here: Support and Assistance

Business

Funding, grants and assistance for businesses can be found here.

Closes	Grant	Description
Ongoing	SafeWork Small Business Rebate	If you are a small business owner in NSW, this $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers. This program is administered by SafeWork NSW.
Ongoing	First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program	The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by connecting you with expert advice, tailored learning and access to culturally respectful industry specialists. If you are a First Nations tourism business and you have aspirations to grow, the FNTMP will give you access to free one-on-one mentoring, delivered in a way which suits your needs. The FNTMP can support you to grow your tourism business by: connecting you with industry professionals who can provide free, one-on-one advice; and culturally respectful support; providing access to a suite of learning supports and resources developed for and tailored to the First Nations tourism sector. The mentoring will be delivered by industry specialists who have: tourism industry knowledge and experience including understanding of local tourism opportunities; experience working in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner with First Nations businesses and/or communities; previous experience providing business advice and support (including mentoring) and/or owning and operating a business. It is a flexible program and the mentoring will be a mixture of face to face and online as preferred. Mentees will have an initial, one-on-one meeting with their mentor to discuss the current state of their business, their goals and objectives and to agree on the duration and frequency of mentoring as per the table below.
Ongoing	Small Business Skills and Training Boost	Through the Australian Taxation Office, this initiative provides small businesses with a bonus tax deduction to help them train new staff and upskill existing staff. Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will be allowed an additional 20% tax deduction for external training courses delivered to employees by registered training providers. The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred from 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 until 30 June 2024. The expenditure must be: for the provision of training to employees of your business, either in-person in Australia, or online; charged, directly or indirectly, by a registered external training provider that is not you or an associate of yours; already deductible for your business under taxation law; incurred within a specified period (between 7:30 pm AEDT or by legal time in the ACT on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2024).
Ongoing	Small Business Technology Investment Boost	This initiative allows small businesses to claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise their business. Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will be allowed an additional 20% tax deduction to support their digital operations and digitise their operations. The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred between 7:30 pm AEDT on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2023. The boost is for business expenses and depreciating assets and is capped at $100,000 of expenditure per income year. You can receive a maximum bonus deduction of $20,000 per income year. Eligible expenditure includes, but is not limited to: digital enabling items – computer and telecommunications hardware and equipment, software, internet costs, systems and services that form and facilitate the use of computer networks; digital media and marketing – audio and visual content that can be created, accessed, stored or viewed on digital devices, including web page design; e-commerce – goods or services supporting digitally ordered or platform-enabled online transactions, portable payment devices, digital inventory management, subscriptions to cloud-based services, and advice on digital operations or digitising operations, such as advice about digital tools to support business continuity and growth; cyber security – cyber security systems, backup management and monitoring services.
Ongoing	Self Employment Assistance Program	Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. Self-Employment Assistance can help you with your business idea or existing business through its flexible services including: Exploring Self-Employment Workshops; Business Plan Development; free accredited Small Business Training; Business Advice Sessions; Business Health Checks; Small Business Coaching.
Ongoing	Industry Growth Program	The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. The NRF priority areas are: value-add in resources; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; transport; medical science; renewables and low emission technologies; defence capability; enabling capabilities.
When Funds Exhausted	Engine and Emerging Industries Loan Pilot	The Department of Regional NSW has recently announced in Orange through the Regional Development Trust Fund, a $5m investment into engine and emerging industries in regional NSW centred on the food & beverage (F&B) industry. The Engine and Emerging Industries Loan Pilot provides low interest loans of between $100,000 and $1 million are now available to eligible regional enterprises to fund activities that support investment in new technologies and equipment that will increase efficiency and productivity. This is a particularly important for our Central West footprint as the F&B industry provides significant contribution to our GVA. Applicants can apply for funding for activities that commenced on or after 1 April 2024. The loan can be used to fund investments that will result in: implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques and technology expansion of existing advanced manufacturing capabilities access to external expertise that is directly related to delivery of the project purchase and/or installation of specialist equipment and/or infrastructure necessary to progress the project including mobile equipment intellectual property protection or advice increased capabilities/efficiencies of pre or post-production phases, for example, implementation of pre-market and/or after-market service activities.

Grant Success Stories

In the 2024/25 financial year, eight grants have been successful to a total value: $22,495,014. We continue to strive for more success stories for our community. Please contact us if you need help with your next grant application.

Community Funding Program

Congratulations to the 14 community groups that received funding in Round 1 of the 2024/25 Community Funding Program. A total of $54,712 going toward local initiatives is a great boost for community development.