Apply Now: On Farm Connectivity Program (Australia)

This program forms part of the Better Connectivity for Rural and Regional Australia Plan (Better Connectivity Plan) and assists primary producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety.

Objectives

• The objectives of the program are:
  • extend digital connectivity and take advantage of advanced farming technology
  • enhance a primary producers’ capacity to implement digital agribusiness solutions through improved connectivity
  • capitalise on the agricultural sector’s potential for increased productivity and growth
  • support access to new communications equipment by offsetting some of the cost

Funding Information

• The Australian Government has announced a total of $30 million for the On Farm Connectivity Rebate Program. For Round 1 of the grant (rebate) opportunity, $15 million is available in 2023-24, or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
• The grant (rebate) amount will be up to 50 per cent of the cost of eligible equipment item/s.
  • The minimum grant (rebate) amount is $3,000.
  • The maximum grant (rebate) amount is $30,000.
• As an eligible Equipment Supplier, you can claim up to the maximum rebate amount for each eligible Primary Producer with an ABN.
• You can claim more than one rebate where the eligible Primary Producer has multiple properties with a separate ABN for each primary production property.

Intended Outcomes

• The intended outcomes of the program are:
  • increased investment in equipment to support operations of the agricultural sector
  • increased efficiency, competitiveness, productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector
  • improved safety on farm
  • increased use of advanced farming technology
  • improved knowledge of advanced farming technology and digital literacy

Eligible Activities

• To be eligible your project must:
  • assist Primary Producers to take advantage of agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety
  • supply eligible connectivity solutions and associated eligible equipment to an eligible Primary Producer
  • sell, install and deliver eligible connectivity solutions and associated eligible equipment to the eligible Primary Producer at 50 per cent of the purchase price up to $60,000 (Primary Producers may spend more than $60,000, and there is no limit to the amount they may spend, however the rebate will not exceed $30,000)
  • have at least $6,000 (GST exclusive) in total eligible expenditure.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible you must:
  • be an eligible Equipment Supplier
  • supply an eligible connectivity solution and the associated eligible equipment
  • be able to supply the eligible connectivity solution and associated eligible equipment to the eligible Primary Producer within 60 days of the sale/purchase.
• Additional Eligibility Requirements
  • They  can only accept applications where:
    • the eligible Primary Producer provides a declaration that they meet the eligibility criteria confirming that they:
      • are a registered business and have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
      • have an annual average gross income (i.e. total revenue before expenses and tax) from primary production of between $40,000 and $2 million. Annual average income is calculated as the average of the previous three full financial years’ income for each ABN
      • are not a hobby farmer
      • operate an eligible primary production activity

Ineligibility Criteria

• You are not eligible to apply if you are:
  • an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’
  • an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)

For more information, visit Australian Government.