Pilot Soil Monitoring and Incentives Program

The Australian Government is providing $54.4 million over two years to support farmers and land managers to access low-cost soil sampling and certified testing in exchange for sharing their data under the Pilot Soil Monitoring and Incentives Program.

Farmers and land managers may be eligible for benefits of up to $10,000 and receive assistance from Commonwealth-funded soil extension officers to interpret their soil test results.

The program may assist farmers to gather data for Emissions Reduction Fund projects.

Southern Cross University has been engaged to deliver the program, including arranging soil sampling and testing for land managers who have successfully applied for assistance.

The Department intends to issue another tender in mid-2022 to engage additional service providers to deliver the program in tranche two. Providers are encouraged to register with AusTender to be notified when the tender is released. This will provide farmers with a greater choice of service providers and testing laboratories.

For more information on the program, including for farmers and land managers wanting to register: https://www.scu.edu.au/pilot-soils-program/

Additional information on the program including eligibility criteria can be found in the fact sheets below and in Frequently Asked Questions.