Deadline: December 01, 2025
The Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, is offering the Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program grant opportunity to assist livestock transport businesses affected by the planned phase-out of live sheep exports by sea commencing May 1, 2028, by providing co-funded support to enable them to adapt and transition their operations to other transport-related activities.
The program’s objective is to support livestock transport businesses, including those transporting essential export related goods impacted by the phase out, by enabling a range of planning, professional and technical advice, training and co-funded investment in asset modification and acquisition. The intended outcome is that livestock transport businesses impacted by the phase out access transition funding to obtain advice and make changes to their business operations.
The Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program forms part of a broader $139.7 million transition assistance package announced by the Australian Government aimed at aiding individuals, businesses, and communities to confidently plan and adjust to new laws ending live sheep exports by sea from May 2028. This specific grant opportunity, administered by the Community Grants Hub on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, aims to provide support for the short-term impacts of this phase-out, targeting transport businesses that have investments related to the live sheep export supply chain, such as transportation of sheep and delivery of essential export-related goods including feed, bedding, water systems, veterinary supplies, and handling equipment.
Transition funding will assist businesses to pivot towards alternative transport activities, possibly requiring additional investment. Applicants must provide co-funding at a 1:1 ratio to the grant funding approved, ensuring applicants financially match the government contribution. The total available grant pool for this program is up to $1.5 million (GST exclusive) across 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years, with individual grants capped at $40,000 (GST exclusive).
Eligible applicants must operate legal entities registered in Australia and demonstrate active participation in the live sheep export by sea industry within the last three financial years. Evidence such as contracts or invoices related to sheep transportation or essential goods delivery is required to establish eligibility. Certain entities, such as unincorporated associations without legal representation or those receiving funding for the same purpose from other government programs, are ineligible.
Grant funding can be utilized for a range of activities strictly related to business transition, including engaging professional services for planning and technical advice, participating in accredited training, retrofitting or acquiring transport trailers and equipment, improving infrastructure or systems on depots, adopting compliance and traceability technologies, and implementing safety improvements. Expenditures directly related to these activities are eligible, while costs like general business operations, debt repayments, travel not associated with training, and regulatory or compliance costs are excluded.
Applications are assessed on criteria including the impact of the live sheep export phase-out on the applicant’s business, alignment of proposed activities with program objectives, and the project’s budget and delivery timeline. A competitive and transparent selection process involving a Selection Advisory Panel will determine successful applicants, with decisions finalized by the Department’s empowered delegate.
Successful applicants will enter into legally binding grant agreements, subject to Commonwealth grant terms and public accountability standards such as workplace gender equality compliance and child safety frameworks. Reporting and monitoring processes will ensure funds are used appropriately, with periodic progress reports required and potential compliance visits conducted.
This program reflects a commitment to supporting transition in affected industries by providing targeted, practical assistance to mitigate disruption, promote business sustainability, and facilitate adaptation to regulatory changes impacting the live sheep export sector.
For more information, visit GrantConnect.
