Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy?

The Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy (NDTS) provides a subsidy to eligible primary producers and primary production enterprises for the cost of transporting fodder and/or water to a property, moving stock to/from agistment, transporting stock to sale or slaughter, or bee or oyster movements following a declared natural disaster.

What is considered a declared natural disaster?

The Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) defines a natural disaster as one or a combination of the following rapid onset events:

bushfire
earthquake
flood
storm
cyclone
storm surge
landslide
tsunami
meteorite strike, or
tornado.

Why is drought not a declared natural disaster?

In 2013, the Australian Government commissioned a national review of drought policy which resulted in state and territory primary industries ministers agreeing that drought would no longer be declared or treated the same way as other natural disaster events.

As such, Natural Disaster Declarations are not made for areas in drought and the financial assistance offered under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements is not activated for drought in the way it is for floods, storms or fires.

In NSW, the Combined Drought Indicator is used to classify the severity of drought conditions across the state. This system integrates weather, climate, soil, and land-use datasets into a single framework to help decision making.

Who can apply for the transport subsidy?

Primary producers and primary production enterprises impacted by a declared natural disaster may be eligible for the subsidy. Detailed eligibility criteria are provided in the Program Guidelines.

What information must I provide when applying?

Applicants must complete an online application form and upload the following documentation:

Local Land Services rates notice or Local Government rates notice
owner-carrier registration papers (for private truck or vessel movements) or aquaculture permits and aquaculture leases
proof of expenditure, such as valid tax invoices for fodder, bee and/or transport costs
a copy of your agistment agreement or valid tax invoice (where relevant)
evidence of sale or slaughter (where relevant).

What happens if I forget to attach documents or make a mistake in my application?

Incomplete applications will not be assessed until all required documents and details are provided. The RAA may contact you for information or to request missing documentation, but assessment will only begin once the application is complete.

You can contact our team on 1800 678 593 or email us at assessments@raa.nsw.gov.au.

How much can I claim?

Approved applicants can claim up to $15,000 (GST-exclusive) per financial year. This cap applies even if a disaster spans two financial years or multiple events are declared in your LGA.

Can I submit more than one application for a single disaster event?

Yes. You can submit multiple applications for the same declared natural disaster event. However, the combined total of all claims for that event and financial year must not exceed $15,000 (GST-exclusive).

What costs are covered by the subsidy?

The transport of:

fodder for stock (including bees)
stock drinking water
stock to agistment
stock from agistment
stock to sale or slaughter.

What is not covered by the subsidy?

You cannot claim for:

transporting stock away from a property for agistment that is not within a natural disaster declared LGA
transporting fodder to a property that is not within a natural disaster declared LGA
transporting fencing and other materials to assist with the containment of stock after a declared natural disaster event
roadside or public land grazing stock movements (e.g. droving costs)
transporting feed supplements or herd health supplies
transporting fodder weighing less than one tonne or water under 1,000 litres
movement of stock that are not fit to travel (stock owners must always comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) provisions)
movements over 1,500km
return journey costs (only the loaded portion of the transport is claimable).

How do I know if my property is in an eligible area?

Your farm must be located within a natural disaster-declared LGA for you to be eligible. Visit our Declarations webpage for a list of current declarations or call us on 1800 678 593 for further information.

Is GST included in any payment received?

No. The GST component of any invoices received can be claimed on completion of your Business Activity Statement (BAS). The RAA will not issue a Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI) on payment of the rebate, and you should retain the ‘Payment Advice’ that is forwarded as a record for taxation purposes.

Should the subsidy be treated as taxable income when my income tax return is completed?

Please consult your accountant or financial advisor for advice specific to your tax circumstances.

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications for the Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy are open for 9 months following the declaration of a natural disaster. Any invoices that you would like to claim must be submitted to the RAA at the point of application.

When can I complete transport movements?

The first movement must occur within 3 months of the natural disaster event date (not the declaration date). The final movement must be completed and applications submitted before the application close date, listed on the RAA website.

What is the difference between the event date and the declaration date?

The ‘event date’ is the date when the natural disaster, such as a bushfire, storm or flood, actually occurs or begins. The ‘declaration date’ is the date when the NSW Government officially issues a Natural Disaster Declaration for the event. This declaration activates various assistance measures for the Local Government Areas included in the declaration.

Can I claim movements undertaken in preparation for a natural disaster?

No. Only movements from the event date until the application close date can be claimed. Movements that occurred outside of this period are not eligible.

Do I need to submit a new application for each movement?

Yes. Every time you apply, you must provide a completed Movement Sheet along with supporting documentation, including invoices and/or proof of expenditure. This will be treated as one application and, if approved, will be finalised and paid accordingly. If you incur additional eligible expenses for the same event at a later point in time, you will need to submit a new application and supply the relevant supporting documentation.

If I have an application that has been approved and I submitted a tax invoice dated within 3 months of the declaration with that application, do my subsequent applications for the same disaster event also need invoices dated within the same 3-month period?

No. Your first application for a particular disaster event must include an invoice showing the first movement occurred within 3 months of the disaster declaration date (as required by the Program Guidelines). Any subsequent applications can include invoices dated at any time within the 9-month application period.

Are owner-drivers eligible to claim the transport subsidy?

Yes. Owner-drivers can claim the subsidy using standard rates per kilometre based on vehicle weight – these can be found in the Program Guidelines. For trips over 100kms, you must provide logbook entries. A vehicle registration certificate is also required.

What supporting documents do owner-drivers need to include?

Owner-drivers will need to provide:

Logbook entries for trips over 100kms
Vehicle registration certificate
Movement sheet
Valid tax invoices or fuel receipts.

Can I get approval before transporting my stock or the fodder?

No. Applications must be submitted after transport has occurred and valid tax invoices must be supplied at the point of application.

Can I claim for the transport of fodder supplements and/or herd health supplies?

You can claim for the transportation of fodder, which includes crops that are cultivated primarily for animal feed, such as green feed, hay and or silage products. However, feed supplements (including lick blocks) are not eligible to be claimed.

How far am I able to move my stock or obtain fodder?

A maximum distance of 1,500 kms applies.

What are the minimum load sizes?

Water: Minimum of 1,000 litres per trip and only one movement per day is eligible
Fodder: Minimum of 1 tonne
Stock: Minimum of 70 Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) (exceptions assessed case-by-case)
Bees: Minimum of 1 tonne.

From what distance can I obtain water?

A maximum distance of 1,500kms applies, noting the water must be carted from the nearest practicable source to be eligible.

How many loads of stock drinking water can be transported per day?

Only one movement per day will be subsidised.

Am I able to move fodder and/or water within my property?

Yes. Genuine smaller vehicle movements within a property are allowed where the initial delivery vehicle transporting the fodder to the property is too large to access the storage location on the property.

Can I claim movements of stock between my own properties?

This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Movements of stock between your own properties may be eligible if it addresses an animal welfare need that is a direct result of the declared natural disaster event.

For example, you have stock on a property owned by you that was severely burnt in a declared bushfire event. You need to move your stock to another property owned by you to ensure they have access to feed.

Can I move stock to a feedlot and claim the transportation costs?

Yes, if the movement is for maintenance rations and is disaster related. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Can a company or incorporated body apply?

Yes, however, please note that the company must have a right or interest in the land used for the purpose of a farm enterprise.

Are oyster growers eligible for the Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy?

Yes, oyster growers may be eligible if they are in a declared natural disaster area and the movement undertaken is a direct result of the declared natural disaster. Stock must be transported from within an eligible LGA within 3 months of the declaration date.

What documentation do oyster growers need to provide when applying?

Oyster growers must submit copies of the following:

aquaculture permits and leases
completed movement sheet
owner-carrier registration papers (for private truck of vessel movements)
fuel invoices and receipts.

What can oyster growers claim?

Eligible oyster growers can claim up to 50% of the total eligible fuel costs for transporting oysters, including:

owner carrier movements of transporting dead stock (as a result of the natural disaster)
owner carrier movements transporting stock to or from agistment.

For oysters, movement to or from agistment refers to oysters being transported to another oyster lease registered to the applying oyster grower, or moving oysters to another oyster lease registered to another oyster grower where there is a sub-lease agreement in place.

What costs are not eligible to be claimed by oyster growers?