Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme - Stage 3
Stage 3 of the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme aims to provide assistance to former holders or lessees of particular primary commercial fishing licences (PCFLs) and fishery symbols. Assistance under this Scheme will offer payment for the surrender of usable gillnets, a grant for the removal of gillnet equipment fitted to vessels, and a grant for downstream businesses that have been affected by the structural adjustment to diversify their business.
Applications will close 30 January 2025, or until funds are exhausted. For more information on Stage 3 of the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme assistance, please see the guidelines for each assistance category.
For more information on previous stages of the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme, please visit the below:
Stage 1: Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme – Stage 1 webpage
Stage 2: Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme – Stage 2 webpage
Payment for surrender of particular fishing nets
Under this part of the Scheme, former holders and lessees of particular fishing symbols can receive a payment for the surrender of a usable net.
Related information
DAF Future Fishing – Background Information & FAQsFAQs - Payment for surrender of particular fishing nets
Yes. Payment for your nets will be processed when QRIDA receive confirmation of surrender of usable nets from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, up to the length specified in your application.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will organise a suitable net collection time, or advise of a local net drop off point, based on the information in your application. If you need to update your net collection information, please contact future.fishing@daf.qld.gov.au
Yes, you can surrender a usable net, however will not receive assistance for the surrender if you are not an eligible applicant. Please see more information at on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website or email future.fishing@daf.qld.gov.au
No. The payment estimated in your QRIDA application is the maximum amount of assistance that you can receive. Please make sure you accurately measure your nets before submitting an application.
Yes, if the applicant is registered for GST.
Yes, these other nets and materials can be surrendered, however, you will not receive assistance for their surrender. Please visit https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries or email future.fishing@daf.qld.gov.au for more information about how to surrender other nets and netting material.
Grant for removal of equipment related to use of relevant mesh nets
Under this part of the Scheme, former holders and lessees of particular fishery symbols can receive assistance for the removal of equipment related to the use of relevant mesh nets from their boats.
FAQs - Grant for removal of equipment related to use of relevant mesh nets
Once you have received confirmation from QRIDA that your application has been approved, you will have 12 months to supply QRIDA tax invoices detailing the works completed. Once confirmation that works completed has been approved, QRIDA will pay the approved amount of assistance into your nominated bank account.
Yes, however only the eligible work completed will be considered for assistance.
Yes, if QRIDA determines the quote reflects reasonable expenses for the costs of service.
Business Diversification Grants
Financial support is available to owners of businesses that relied on fish taken under certain PCFL’s or fishery symbols to diversify their business.
FAQs - Business Diversification Grants
A diversification plan is required for a business to be eligible for this grant. Details on the requirements of a diversification plan are detailed in the program Guidelines.
Yes. The eligible business must contribute at least 50% of the required funds to implement the diversification plan.
Yes, if you have not received assistance under any other part of the Scheme, you may be eligible to apply for assistance under the Business Diversification Grant. Please see the guidelines for more information.
For further assistance
If you require further assistance please contact the relevant agency as below:
If you have a question regarding your application - please contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 or email fisheriesstructuraladjustment@qrida.qld.gov.au
If you have not received a letter from DAF and you believe you are eligible - please contact DAF on 13 25 23 or email future.fishing@daf.qld.gov.au
If you have received a letter from DAF and wish to dispute the fishing data provided - please contact DAF on 13 25 23 or email FishDataCoordinator@daf.qld.gov.au
Additional Support
The Rural Financial Counselling Service are available to provide free financial counselling to fishing enterprises:
Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation adviser or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.
Your health and wellbeing
Need to talk? Take care of your health and wellbeing by contacting one of the many support networks available:
Stay Afloat – provides confidential mental health support and advice
Royal Flying Doctor Service mental health clinicians - For 24 hour medical and emergency help 1800 733 772.
Head to Health - free or low-cost Australian digital mental health services.
ReachOUT is a website-based mental health service for young people.
Lifeline, 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services - Call 131 114.
MensLine Australia - information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78.
Suicide Call Back Service - 24/7 telephone and online counselling. Call 1300 659 467.
Frequently asked questions - Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme
If you have queries on the catch history records that have been provided by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries please call 13 25 23 or email FishDataCoordinator@daf.qld.gov.au.
Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.
QRIDA will contact you via telephone, email, SMS or post. Should you be concerned about whether contact you have received is genuine, please contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946 and ask to speak with your Portfolio Manager.
If your application is successful QRIDA will pay the funds to your nominated bank account.
