The NSW and Australian Governments have announced an additional $742 million to further support primary industry, businesses, rural landholders, councils and residents affected by catastrophic flooding across NSW which began in February 2022.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available for landholders and oyster farmers in declared Local Government Areas (LGAs), who have holdings of at least 10ha of rural land or a Class A aquaculture permit authorising at least 1ha; and receive at least $20,000 in income from primary production per annum.
Applications for the RLG program are open until 30 June 2023. All activities and expenditure funded under this program must be complete, and all invoices to claim payment must be submitted to the RAA by 30 September 2023.
Once approved, eligible primary producers can access $5,000 in assistance up-front, with a further $20,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.
Landholders are encouraged not to self-assess and to apply for the scheme so the RAA can determine eligibility.
Local Government Areas eligible for the Rural Landholders Grant program | Closing date for applications | Closing date for claims |
---|---|---|
Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Bayside, Bega Valley, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Byron, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Cumberland, Dungog, Eurobodalla, Fairfield City, Georges River, Glen Innes, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Inner West, Kempsey, Kiama, Ku-ring-gai, Kyogle, Lismore, Lithgow, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Sutherland, Tenterfield, The Hills, Tweed, Upper Hunter, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong. | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
DPI Rural Recovery Support Services - The Rural Recovery Support Service is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and funded by Resilience NSW, to provide assistance to rural landholders and primary producers who have been impacted by the recent floods. DPI Recovery Workers are a single point of contact, providing information and referrals to support you on your recovery journey.
You can also give the RAA permission to work with your own private financial advisor or accountant to assist you, however you will be liable for any professional fees charged. Contact the Rural Assistance Authority team on 1800 678 593.
The Rural Landholders Grant is available to eligible landholders and oyster farmers who were affected by the NSW severe weather and floods that occurred from 22 February 2022 onwards, and who are not eligible for existing flood support programs (Primary Producer Special Disaster Grants).
Applicants within the declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) and minimum primary production income of $20,000 per annum can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to support their recovery.
Download the Rural Landholders Grant guidelines (PDF, 400.82 KB) for full details of what you can claim.
Applicants must provide a complete application form and:
If you have previously submitted tax returns to the NSW RAA for the financial year 2019/2020 or more recently, you will not need to provide further information. If we do not have your previous financial information, we will seek your permission to contact your accountant directly if this is easiest for you.
The online application form has been designed to make the process as simple as possible. You will be required to upload digital copies of supporting documentation (please refer to the 'What you will need section') so please have these ready before commencing your application.
It is recommended that you await the outcome of your application before submitting invoices. Once your application has been assessed an assessment officer will advise you of the process with your upfront payment and how to verify this later when you need to claim more funds.
You will need:
*Note that the RAA can ask for proof of payment (receipts, bank statements) against invoices, either at the point of submitting a claim, or at audit.
The RAA understands that you may have been impacted by a number of declared disaster events over the past 18 months and that allocating a claim (i.e. an invoice) to any one of these events may be difficult, or in some instances may not be possible. We ask that you use your best endeavours to ensure proper record keeping and can work with you to ensure the process of lodging your claim is as easy as possible.
If you are unsure at any stage of the process as to how to complete the online claim form, please use this Example Claims Request Form (PDF, 377.63 KB).
To read the FAQs for this program please click here.