The Australian Government has committed $139.8 million in transition assistance for individuals, businesses and communities to confidently plan and adapt to laws passed by the Australian Parliament to end live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028.
The funding will assist the sector to:
- collaborate on a long-term strategy, supported by investment
- enhance the profitability of the farm to feedlot end of the supply chain, ensuring continuity and quality of supply
- leverage technology to improve feedback loops and position producers to best meet market and consumer requirements
- strengthen business resilience and support vibrant local communities.
Current grant opportunities
Farm Business Transition Program - $30 million
Open: 7 October to 1 December 2025
The Farm Business Transition Program supports sheep producers to increase on-farm adoption and uptake of alternative farming systems and practices.
Funding is available to support the development of business plans tailored to individual farm business circumstances and for a range of activities including infrastructure upgrades, equipment purchases, training, adoption of innovation and alternative management practices amongst others. Matching co-contributions from grant applicants will be required with grants capped at $75,000 per applicant.
For more information and to apply, visit GrantConnect. Applications close 1 December 2025.
This recorded webinar provides an overview of the grant program, including eligible activities with examples, frequently asked questions and key resources to support your application. The recording contains general information only and does not form part of the guidelines or assessment process.
Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program - $1.5 million
Open: 7 October to 1 December 2025
The Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program assists livestock transport operators to transition to other transport-related activities, which may require further investment in preparation for the end of the trade.
Matching co-contributions from grant applicants will be required with grants capped at $40,000 per applicant.
For more information and to apply, visit GrantConnect. Applications close 1 December 2025.
This recorded webinar provides an overview of the grant program, including eligible activities with examples, frequently asked questions and key resources to support your application. The recording contains general information only and does not form part of the guidelines or assessment process.
Examples of eligible and ineligible projects
This document details examples of eligible and ineligible projects for the Supply Chain Capacity, Farm Business Transition and Livestock Industry Transition programs.
- Examples of eligible and ineligible projects (PDF 213 KB)
- Examples of eligible and ineligible projects (DOCX 304 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Closed grant opportunities
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program - $4.4 million
Applications closed 4 November 2025. Eligible peak industry bodies, RDCs, consultants (specialising in agriculture, economics, markets, trade and/or food security) and research providers were invited to apply for grants totalling up to $4.4 million.
The department received a number of applications, which are now being processed.
The program is designed to increase information available to Australian sheep, agriculture, food and fibre industries on market opportunities and/or stronger business-to-business relationships for interstate and overseas markets for sheep products; and for markets for Australian agri-food in the Middle East and North Africa region.
For more information visit GrantConnect.
Other programs
Sheep Industry Strategy and Implementation Plan
Funding of $0.8 million to deliver an industry-led, government supported strategy, underpinned by robust economic analysis, that promotes direction, confidence and growth in the national and Western Australian sheep meat and wool industry.
A priority action plan to support industry activities that implement the strategy will also be developed, including research and development priorities and other producer and supply chain needs.
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) were awarded the grant in a closed, non-competitive process. For more details visit GrantConnect.
SPA will lead The Future Flock, a national project to set the direction for Australia’s sheep industry, in addition to delivering a WA roadmap.
The Future Flock will bring producers and supply chain operators together to tackle shared challenges and opportunities — developing solutions and shaping the industry’s future.
This project combines national consultation and economic modelling, addressing national and state priorities in parallel while WA-specific insights will tailor a state strategy and action and investment roadmap for Western Australia.
As part of The Future Flock, SPA will also work with the Transition Advocate (an independent voice appointed to facilitate two-way communication between industry and government) and the Strategic Steering Group (a panel of industry leaders) to develop a WA roadmap. The WA roadmap has been initiated to guide the development of a medium-long term industry strategy and priority action plan for, and supported by, the state’s sheep and wool sector.
Visit The Future Flock to find out more and sign up to have your say.
Implementation Fund
To implement priority actions arising from the industry strategy $5.0 million is available. This could include, for example, grants to support research and development priorities, training and capacity building, industry leadership, or to embed new practices across the supply chain.
Extension Program
The $4 million Support for Research and Development Extension program is designed to expand extension services and grower group activities that showcase alternative sheep farming systems and practices.
This may include on-farm demonstrations, feed, pasture management, genetics, and nutrition.
The closed, non-competitive process closed on 25 September 2025. Only organisations invited to apply were eligible. For more details visit GrantConnect.
Market Feedback and Forward Contracts Program
To enable increased producer use of existing processor feedback and data tools that support continuous improvement of the sheep flock $2 million has been allocated for training. This would include developing guidance material and training support for the use of forward contracts through the sheep supply chain.
Supply Chain Capacity Program
The $40.0 million Supply Chain Capacity Program is delivered by the Western Australian Government. The program, for producers and processors, is designed to encourage capital investment and enhance processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity.
For more information , visit SmartyGrants or contact the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Applications for round 1 closed on 22 October 2025. Applications for round 2 is planned to open in early 2026.
Enhancing Market Demand Program
The $27.0 million Enhancing Market Demand (EMD) program began in 2024-25 and will run over 4 years to 2027-28. The program is focused on enhancing demand within Australia and internationally for Australian sheep products and supporting diversification opportunities for Australian agri-food businesses that export to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The EMD program is intended to grow the profile of Australian sheep products, aid the diversification of markets for sheep and broader agrifood products to the MENA region, boost confidence in the domestic sheep industry and assist the industry to adjust through transitioning to other opportunities in Australia and overseas.
Shearing Industry Transition Program
The $2.2 million Shearing Industry Transition Program assists shearing businesses to develop a new approach to expanded employment services in the Western Australian agricultural sector.
The closed, non-competitive process closed on 11 September 2025. Only organisations invited to apply were eligible. For more details visit GrantConnect.
Financial Counselling Services
The Rural Financial Counselling Service in Western Australia has received $2.4 million to provide additional counselling services in the region.
Community Wellbeing Program
$1.5 million for activities in affected regions to foster community wellbeing and connections and strengthen community resilience (previously announced).
Grants application process
Eligibility for grants will vary based on the program. These will be detailed in the relevant grant guidelines.
Examples of eligible and ineligible projects for the Supply Chain Capacity, Farm Business Transition and Livestock Industry Transition programs can be found at the end of this page.
All grant details and applications administered by the department will be available via GrantConnect, the Australian Government central grants portal.
Grant opportunities administered by the Western Australian Government will be advertised on WA DPIRD’s online platform, SmartyGrants.
Advice for applicants
Before you start, take time to understand the grant opportunity.
Each grant has different criteria for assessment. Any grant process will require you to explain your proposed use, show how it will help achieve the grant’s objectives, and how you will keep track of how the funds are spent.
Follow these steps to ensure you meet all assessment criteria:
- Read the grant guidelines – these outline the program objectives, eligibility requirements, and application process.
- Address the assessment criteria – you’ll need to clearly explain how your proposal meets each criterion.
- Check the deadline – give yourself enough time to prepare and submit a strong application.
- Follow submission instructions – each grant opportunity will outline specific instructions on how and where to submit your application.
Resources
Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package: Transition assistance for sheep producers and the supply chain for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea
This document sets out how funding will assist farmers and the rest of the supply chain to capitalise on the opportunities from this transition and the increasing demand for sheep meat domestically and globally.
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Co-design themes
This document details program components under each theme, including the funding allocation, timing of activities and grant opportunities and how these program features relate to the co-design outcomes.
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.