Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub

On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3

Agriculture InnovationAustralian / Victorian Government Sources
Vic Drought Hub - Farmland 1
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14 January 2025 update:

 

On 14 January 2025, the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications, announced $20 million toward a third round of the On Farm Connectivity Program. Round 3 will open for applications later in 2025, with funding to be delivered across 2025-26.

Consultation with stakeholders will inform the design of Round 3, to ensure lessons and feedback from the previous rounds are well considered.

Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Julie Collins MP, said, “The On Farm Connectivity Program is already supporting thousands of farmers around the country to adopt ag-tech solutions to boost productivity and efficiency. The huge response to this program shows just how innovative Aussie farmers and primary producers are. This additional $20m will enable even more farmers to invest in their future.”

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, added,“Our farmers and primary producers feed millions of Australians and generate billions for the economy. To assist them with cost of living, they need access to affordable, cutting-edge connectivity and ag-tech solutions. This is why the Albanese Government is providing an additional $20m for a new round of our hugely popular On Farm Connectivity Program.”
You can find the Michelle Rowland’s full media release here: Backing Aussie farmers with an additional $20 million for ag-tech connectivity | Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure

If you’d like to be included on the department’s email list to receive updates or information about consultation for Round 3, please send an email to OFCP@infrastructure.gov.au.

 

What does this grant cover?

 

Opening date: TBA

The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.

 

What do you get?

A rebate of up to $30,000 to cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible digital farming technology.

Who is this for?

Approved Suppliers who sell connectivity solutions to eligible Primary Producers.

 

Overview

The On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 (the program) will run over 1 year in 2025-26. This program forms part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia (Better Connectivity Plan) and assists Primary Producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety.

The objectives of the program are:

  • extend digital connectivity and take advantage of advanced farming technology
  • enhance a Primary Producers’ capacity to implement digital agribusiness solutions through improved connectivity
  • capitalise on the agricultural sector’s potential for increased productivity and growth
  • support access to new communications equipment by offsetting some of the cost.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

  • increased investment in equipment to support operations of the agricultural sector
  • increased efficiency, competitiveness, productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector
  • improved safety on farm
  • increased use of advanced farming technology
  • improved knowledge of advanced farming technology and digital literacy.

Eligible Primary Producers can only access the program (and rebate) through an Approved Supplier.

The Australian Government announced $30 million for the On Farm Connectivity program in the October 2023 budget with $15 million available for Round 1 and Round 2 of the program, and a further $3 million for Round 2.

For Round 3 of this grant opportunity $20 million will be  available in 2025-26.

The grant (rebate) amount will be up to 50% of the cost of eligible equipment item/s listed at Appendix B of the grant opportunity guidelines.

  • The minimum grant (rebate) amount is $1,000 (GST exclusive).
  • The maximum grant (rebate) amount is $30,000 (GST exclusive).

As an Approved Supplier listed at Appendix A, you can claim up to the maximum rebate amount for each eligible Primary Producer with an Australian Business Number (ABN).

 

Check if you can apply

You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:

  • are an Approved Supplier
  • supply an eligible connectivity solution and the associated eligible equipment
  • be able to supply (including delivery and installation if applicable) the eligible connectivity solution and associated eligible equipment to the eligible Primary Producer within the 120 calendar day period of approval
  • ensure the Primary Producer’s ABN has been registered for 12 months prior to application submission and be at different locations if submitting multiple applications.

The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.