Deadline: December 04, 2025
The Special Disaster Relief Grant Program provides relief to eligible primary producers and primary production enterprises impacted by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather event from 18 May 2025.
The focus areas of the program include: contributing to recovery costs to lower disruption in affected areas, helping eligible primary producers and primary production enterprises to recover by cleanup, removal of debris, disposal and/or replacement of dead livestock, reinstatement in cases where the impact could disrupt production and viability beyond the current season, cleanup and reinstatement of eligible infrastructure, disposing of damaged materials, crops and/or plants, restoration of pastures, and treating injured livestock.
This grant program was established by the NSW Government to assist primary producers affected by the severe weather event to clean up their properties and resume or continue their primary production enterprises. The program is open and non-competitive, funded jointly by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) administers the program on behalf of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Applicants who are eligible primary producers or primary production enterprises operating in defined disaster declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) listed in the guidelines may apply for grants of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive), including an upfront payment of $5,000 to assist with immediate cleanup and animal welfare costs. The grant aims to cover cleanup and reinstatement expenses such as hiring or purchasing cleaning equipment and materials, labor costs for cleanup and reinstatement activities, removing and disposing of debris and dead livestock, repairing essential property infrastructure like fencing and buildings used for staff accommodation, salvaging and replacing crops and plants, maintaining and replacing livestock, and other related costs necessary to restore the enterprise.
Applicants must provide photographic and financial evidence, such as tax invoices and proof of payment, to support their claims. The program also entails an assessment process reviewing eligibility criteria including income eligibility, location requirements, and damage directly caused by the eligible disaster. Applicants should intend to re-establish or continue their primary production enterprise in the affected area to qualify.
The program operates within specific timelines, and claims close by 4 September 2026. Successful grant recipients will be required to participate in evaluation activities and compliance audits as part of the grant conditions.
The Special Disaster Relief Grant Program reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting primary producers through targeted financial assistance to recover from natural disasters and ensure business continuity in the agricultural sector.
For more information, visit RAA.
