Components

Rural Agricultural Development Grants

The Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grants offer up to $200,000 as a co-contribution grant to support economic development in relevant rural areas and support growth within the industry.

RAD Grant

Program information

Co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 are available to eligible applicants to carry out activities which will create employment relating to, or increase the sale and value of products or materials derived from sheep or goats.

Applications for Round Two of this Scheme closed on 2 June 2023.

This scheme had a two-step application process. Applicants had to first submit an expression of interest (EOI) form, then successful EOI participants were invited to submit a full application for the grant. See below for key dates.

An amount of $1.9 million has been made available to fund grants under Round Two of the Scheme. Grants are subject to the availability of funding and applying for a grant is no guarantee funding will be approved.

QRIDA administers the Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Eligibility criteria

Grant funding may be used for an eligible activity, including, but not limited to:

  • developing a new market for a product derived from sheep and goats; or
  • expanding the capabilities of businesses within the supply chain for production, processing, manufacturing or selling products derived from sheep or goats; or
  • providing specialised training or equipment to an eligible primary production enterprise.

How funding may not be used

Grant funding may not be used for the following activities:

  • funding an activity which has already commenced, or been completed;
  • funding an activity associated with installing or maintaining cluster fencing or predator-proof fencing;
  • making payments towards debt;
  • purchasing land;
  • undertaking training and paying professional costs which are not related to the eligible project activity to which the application relates;
  • conducting feasibility studies; or
  • paying administration costs. 

Key dates

23 February 2023

Expressions of interest opened

31 March 2023

Expressions of interest closed at 11:59pm

01 May 2023

EOI outcomes will be advised by this date and successful submissions will receive an invitation to submit a full application including an application pack

02 June 2023

Applications to apply close at 11:59pm.

17 July 2023

Applicants will be notified of application outcomes by this date.

Following this, successful applicants will be announced by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.

Upon approval and funding agreement

Successful applicants will receive funding to agreed milestones as their project progresses.

Applications are now closed for Round Two

You can download and read the guidelines here. 

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

If you are successful in receiving a grant you will be required to enter into a legally binding funding agreement with QRIDA. For more information on your grant obligations please read the guidelines.

You may use government loan assistance towards your co-contribution to help to fund project activities, for instance, a Sustainability Loan from QRIDA.

However, funding from another government grant program is unable to be used as a co-contribution to fund project activities under the scheme.

Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week, equates to two full time employees.

Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.

You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project. Contact us here.

Freecall 1800 623 946 for assistance with your loan application. Alternatively, your accountant, bank or financial or business advisor may also be able to assist with your application also.

Primary production enterprises and small to medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST in the form.

Program information

Co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 are available to eligible applicants to carry out activities which will create employment relating to, or increase the sale and value of products or materials derived from sheep or goats.

Applications for Round Two of this Scheme closed on 2 June 2023.

This scheme had a two-step application process. Applicants had to first submit an expression of interest (EOI) form, then successful EOI participants were invited to submit a full application for the grant. See below for key dates.

An amount of $1.9 million has been made available to fund grants under Round Two of the Scheme. Grants are subject to the availability of funding and applying for a grant is no guarantee funding will be approved.

QRIDA administers the Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Eligibility criteria

Grant funding may be used for an eligible activity, including, but not limited to:

  • developing a new market for a product derived from sheep and goats; or
  • expanding the capabilities of businesses within the supply chain for production, processing, manufacturing or selling products derived from sheep or goats; or
  • providing specialised training or equipment to an eligible primary production enterprise.

How funding may not be used

Grant funding may not be used for the following activities:

  • funding an activity which has already commenced, or been completed;
  • funding an activity associated with installing or maintaining cluster fencing or predator-proof fencing;
  • making payments towards debt;
  • purchasing land;
  • undertaking training and paying professional costs which are not related to the eligible project activity to which the application relates;
  • conducting feasibility studies; or
  • paying administration costs. 

Key dates

23 February 2023

Expressions of Interest open.

31 March 2023

Expressions of interest close at 11:59pm.

01 May 2023

EOI outcomes will be advised by this date and successful submissions will receive an invitation to submit a full application including an application pack.

02 June 2023

Applications to apply close at 11:59pm.

17 July 2023

Applicants will be notified of application outcomes by this date.

Following this, successful applicants will be announced by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.

Upon approval and funding agreement

Successful applicants will receive funding to agreed milestones as their project progresses

Applications are now closed for Round Two

You can download and read the guidelines here. 

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

Primary production enterprises and small to medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST in the form.

You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project. Contact us here.

If you are successful in receiving a grant you will be required to enter into a legally binding funding agreement with QRIDA. For more information on your grant obligations please read the guidelines.

Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.

Freecall 1800 623 946 for assistance with your loan application. Alternatively, your accountant, bank or financial or business advisor may also be able to assist with your application also.

You may use government loan assistance towards your co-contribution to help to fund project activities, for instance, a Sustainability Loan from QRIDA.

However, funding from another government grant program is unable to be used as a co-contribution to fund project activities under the scheme.

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Grant

Last updated: 03 June 2023