Provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.

*Note: Applications close at 7 November 2025 for residents of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Applications close on 30 January 2026 for Northern Territory residents.*

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award empowering and celebrating the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities, now and into the future.

Over the past 25 years, the Award has gained a significant profile and is recognised as a program of influence among parliamentarians, industry, media and Award alumni. Each State and Territory Winner receives a $15,000 Westpac grant for their project, business or program, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks.

AgriFutures Australia is committed to the future growth and advancement of the Award as a means of identifying, celebrating and empowering women. The Rural Women’s Award is one of many AgriFutures Australia initiatives ensuring our rural industries prosper now and into the future.

In order to apply for the Rural Women’s Award, applicants must:

• Identify as female
• Be over the age of 18
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Have an existing project, business or program which is already live/up and running
• Have a project, business or program that is creating impact, making a difference and/or contributing to enhancing the prosperity of rural and emerging industries, and rural, regional, and remote businesses and communities
• Have an existing project, business or program that fits into at least one of the following categories: Community, Collaboration or Commercial
• Have a project, business or program that aligns with a minimum of two of the Award’s values: Empathetic, Authentic, Cooperative, Confident, Courageous, Grit, Resourceful, Pragmatic, Clarity of Purpose, Inclusive, and Innovative.

The grant can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; establishing business plans or pilot programs; developing educational or promotional campaigns; networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets; developing training programs; testing information technology initiatives; developing or testing a new business concept or innovation; and publishing books.

The National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant, and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.

Applicants need to be over 18 years old and identify as female.

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider's website.

Smith Thornton subscribes to a grant search provider and can help you prepare your grant application. If you have any questions, our Business Services Advisor Jenna van Nierop will be happy to assist. You can email her at jennav@smiththornton.com.au or call her on 9842 5155.