Request for Applications: Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program 2025 (Australia)

The Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program allocates monies from the 4 livestock compensation funds to support programs or projects that prevent, monitor, and control diseases.

The Victorian Government, on the advice of the industry-led livestock advisory committees, provides these grants to enhance animal health, biosecurity and market access for the benefit of Victorian cattle, sheep, goat, swine and honey bee industries.

The Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program is administered by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and funds are established under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 (the Act).

Priorities 

• Priorities for funding:
  • The Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program comprises 4 streams covering the cattle, sheep and goat, swine, and honey bee industries. Each of the funds has a statement of strategic intent, outlining areas for investment and outcomes within the purpose and objectives of the Act.

Funding Information

• Available funds:
  • There is no minimum or maximum value of applications or length of a project. The respective advisory committee will recommend successful projects to the Minister for Agriculture taking account of the available balance of their respective fund at the time of recommendation and the project’s rating against the selection criteria.
• Co-funding contributions:
  • There is no requirement for matched funds from applicants. However, the assessment of a project or program application needs to include budget and collaboration considerations. This identifies financial and other in-kind support
  • Applications that require co-funding or in-kind contributions from other organisations to deliver the proposed project must include a letter of support from those organizations.
  • It is encouraged to have evidence of support from industry organisations, even where co-funding or in-kind support is not provided.
  • Project proponents may apply for funding from more than one fund. However, a separate application must be lodged to each individual fund and will be assessed against that funds’ Statement of Strategic Intent.

What might be funded?

• The Livestock Biosecurity Funds must be used for projects producing outcomes, consistent with the Act, which demonstrates the following principles:
  • Innovative solutions and emerging technologies for unsolved livestock biosecurity issues, needs or gaps.
  • Collaboration where possible across value chains.
  • Quantifiable benefits to the whole of the livestock industries, which are measured and evaluated with evidence and data.

What will not be funded?

• The Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program will not fund the following activities:
  • requests for retrospective funding
  • lobbying activities
  • funding an organisation’s core business activities
  • emergency animal disease compensation, response or recovery
  • capital expenditure
  • costs for activities which do not directly align with achievement of the outcomes stipulated by each fund
  • recurrent operating costs, for example rent and utility costs, and/or activities establishing expectations of ongoing funding
  • activities located outside the State of Victoria.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organisations and individuals can apply for funding:
  • private sector businesses and agencies
  • universities and research institutions
  • cooperatives where the objectives of the cooperative align with the Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program
  • Victorian Government department or entity
  • local government authorities
  • incorporated associations
• In addition, to be eligible for funding applicants must:
  • hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • be an incorporated body, cooperative or association (including business associations)
  • be financially solvent
  • conduct the proposed activities in Victoria
  • meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards
  • agree to participate in future program evaluation activity and public communication on the project.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following organisations and individuals cannot apply for funding:
  • individuals/sole traders
  • trusts
  • partnerships
  • federal government departments

For more information, visit DEECA.