Established in 1997, the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) has supported environmental protection, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management across Australia.
See a snapshot of NHT phases:
| Program / phase | Period (typically 5 years) | Australian Government funding (shared between agriculture and environment) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Heritage Trust Phase 1 | 1996-97 to 2001-02 | $1.5 billion |
| Natural Heritage Trust Phase 2 | 2002-03 to 2007-08 | $1.8 billion |
| Caring for our Country Phase 1 | 2008-09 to 2012-13 | $2.0 billion |
| Caring for our Country Phase 2 | 2013 to 2014 | $0.316 billion |
| National Landcare Program Phase 1 | 2014-15 to 2017-18 | $1.0 billion |
| National Landcare Program Phase 2 | 2018-19 to 2022-23 | $1.1 billion |
| Current phase of the Natural Heritage Trust | 2023-24 to 2027-28 | $1.1 billion $302.1 million of this is allocated to the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program (agriculture component). |
Information on the previous two phases of the program is outlined below.
National Landcare Programs (2014-2023)
The National Landcare Programs (phase 1 and 2) supported a range of measures across natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
$2.1 billion was provided for phase 1 and 2 of the National Landcare Program.
The phase 2 investment included the Regional Land Partnerships Program to deliver natural resource management at a regional scale, supported through both the agriculture and environment departments. To learn more about the Regional Land Partnerships Program, visit: National Landcare Program.
Phase 2 also included the Smart Farms program, funded through the agriculture portfolio. Further information on the Smart Farms program is below, and the final report is available here:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms program 2017–18 to 2022–23 end of program final report PDF | 2.2 MB |
| Smart Farms program 2017–18 to 2022–23 end of program final report DOCX | 984KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
The Australian Government allocated over $136 million to the Smart Farms program (2017-18 to 2022-23). The funding supported the development and uptake of best practice, tools and technologies for:
- farmers and land managers
- fishers
- foresters
- regional communities.
The program supported projects intended to protect natural resources and strengthen the resilience and productive capacity of Australia’s agricultural landscapes.
Smart Farms focused on improving farming and land management practices and biodiversity. It also supported agricultural systems to adapt to significant changes in climate, weather and markets.
Smart Farms consisted of three funding streams, including Smart Farming Partnerships, Smart Farms Small Grants, and Building Landcare Community and Capacity. Further information is below.
Smart Farming Partnerships ($57.5 million over 6 years) offered grants ranging between $250,000 and $4 million (GST exclusive). These larger, innovative projects were delivered through effective partnerships between experienced and skilled organisations and individuals and were offered over two rounds. The Smart Farming Partnerships grant objectives were to:
- develop, trial and implement new and innovative tools that lead to practice change and more sustainable, productive and profitable agricultural industries and systems
- protect Australia’s biodiversity
- protect and improve the condition of natural resources
- assist Australia to meet its obligations under relevant international treaties.
Round 2
Round 2 funded 11 projects valued at up to $30.13 million (GST exclusive).
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farming Partnerships Round 2 list of successful applicants PDF | 233 KB |
| Smart Farming Partnerships Round 2 list of successful applicants DOCX | 84KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Round 1
Round 1 funded 15 projects to a value of up to $27.35 million (GST exclusive). Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farming Partnerships Round 1 list of successful applicants PDF | 404 KB |
| Smart Farming Partnerships Round 1 list of successful applicants DOCX | 44 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Smart Farms Small Grants (up to $43.5 million over 6 years) funded projects ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 (GST exclusive) per grant over rounds 1 – 5. The funding supported:
- more sustainable, productive and profitable agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and forestry industries
- protecting and improving the condition of natural resources
- assisting in protecting Australia’s biodiversity.
Organisations and individuals applying in rounds 1 – 4 were encouraged to develop projects that promoted and supported adoption of best practice sustainable farming and land management. Applicants were also able to apply for projects that strengthen the capacity of Landcare and other groups to improve adoption of best practice.
The final funding round (round 5) provided $13.80 million in funding for soil extension activity grants worth between $100,000 to $250,000 per activity for up to two years.
These two-year Soil Extension Activities were funded through the Smart Farms Small Grants program to improve our understanding of Australia’s soil condition and how to:
- better manage our soils;
- assess the impact of land management practices on soil;
- assist farmers to improve their productivity and profitability; and
- better support farmers to participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund.
These soil extension activities supported farmers and land managers to better understand the benefits of soil testing and take practical action to improve the management of their soil and land. This includes working with farmers and land managers to participate in the National Soil Monitoring and Incentives Pilot Program, assist land managers to interpret results and improve decision making as part of improving soil health and productivity.
The Soil Extension Activities round funded 32 grantees to deliver over 200 extension activities across the country to a value of $13.80 million (GST Exclusive).
Round 5
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities (final round) PDF | 220 KB |
| Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities (final round) DOCX | 84KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Round 4
Round 4 funded 84 projects to a value of $6.48 million (GST exclusive).
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 4 - list of successful projects PDF | 397 KB |
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 4 - list of successful projects DOCX | 130 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Round 3
Round 3 funded 113 projects to a value of up to $5.03 million (GST exclusive).
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 3 - list of successful projects PDF | 704 KB |
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 3 - list of successful projects DOCX | 119 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Round 2
Round 2 funded 110 projects to a value of up to $9.25 million (GST exclusive).
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 2 - list of successful projects PDF | 648 KB |
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 2 - list of successful projects DOCX | 84 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Round 1
Round 1 funded 77 projects up to a value of up to $4.75 million (GST exclusive). All projects have been completed.
Projects funded through this round are listed at the links below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 1 - list of successful projects PDF | 548 KB |
| Smart Farms Small Grants round 1 - list of successful projects DOCX | 80 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
The Building Landcare Community and Capacity (BLCC) Program allocated $39.51 million in funding over 6 years. It provided ad-hoc grants for initiatives that directly supported the Landcare community and farmer organisations. Activities suitable for funding were based on consultation and emerging issues. The BLCC program funded 53 projects, with project activities including, but not limited to:
- awards and recognition for excellence among the Landcare community
- leadership development opportunities
- conferences and networking events
- communication and community engagement activities and other projects that strengthen the social and technical capacity that underpins the delivery of Landcare
- efforts by Landcare and farming groups to deliver on-the-ground improvements in land management.
Projects funded through the BLCC Program are below:
Download
| Document | File size |
|---|---|
| Building Landcare Community Capacity Program list of successful applicants PDF | 397 KB |
| Building Landcare Community Capacity Program list of successful applicants DOCX | 71 KB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility.
Current Phase
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