The Australian Government has committed $139.7 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
Supply Chain Capacity Program - $40 million
Open: 27 August to 22 October 2025
The 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 and to apply, visit SmartyGrants or contact the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Applications close 22 October 2025.
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program - $4.4 million
Open: 23 September to 4 November 2025
The Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program is now open to eligible peak industry bodies, RDCs, consultants (specialising in agriculture, economics, markets, trade and/or food security) and research providers.
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 and to apply, visit GrantConnect. Applications close 4 November 2025.
Grant opportunities coming soon
Farm Business Transition Program - $30 million
Open: 7 October to 1 December 2025
The Farm Business Transition Program encourages sheep producers to increase on-farm adoption and uptake of alternative farming systems and practices.
Previews of the draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines are available on GrantConnect.
A range of on-farm activities will be eligible that relate to improving sheep quality and integrated farming systems. Matching co-contributions from grant applicants will be required with grants capped up to $75,000 per applicant.
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.
Previews of the draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the $1.5 million competitive grants are available on GrantConnect.
Matching co-contributions from grant applicants will be required with grants capped up to $40,000 per applicant.
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.
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.
This closed, non-competitive process opened on 31 July and closed on 28 August 2025. Only organisations invited to apply were eligible. Sheep Producers Australia have been awarded the grant. For more details visit GrantConnect.
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 program will close on 25 September 2025. The closed, non-competitive process is only available to invited organisations. 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.
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.