The Australian Government is inviting applications through an open, competitive process for grants under Round 2 of the Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program (the program).

The program will assist livestock transport businesses, including those who have made investments in the transportation of sheep and the delivery of essential export-related goods such as feed, bedding, water systems, veterinary supplies and handling equipment specifically for the live sheep export by sea trade, to transition to other transport-related activities which may require further investment.

Grant funding can be used for planning, professional and technical advice, training and co-funded investment in asset modification and acquisition.

Grant funding of up to $40,000 (GST exclusive) over both rounds, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, is available. Cash co-contribution of 1:1 is required - the applicant must match the dollar value of the grant funding approved. In-kind contributions are not accepted as matching funding. 

Costs incurred before a grant agreement is executed or the agreed-upon activity start date are ineligible. 

You must demonstrate a connection to the live sheep export by sea trade since 1 July 2020.

 

Applicants from Round 1

• Applicants who were awarded the maximum grant of $40,000 (GST exclusive) in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for further funding under Round 2.
• Applicants awarded less than the maximum grant of $40,000 (GST exclusive) under Round 1 may apply under Round 2 for up to the remaining balance of the grant funding for different grant activities.
• Applicants who were unsuccessful in Round 1 may apply in Round 2 for the same project or a different project.

 

Eligibility:

You must satisfy eligibility requirements in parts (a), (b) and (c) of this section, and section 4.2,

4.1 (a): eligibility in relation to Round 1

• An eligible entity may apply for a grant of up to $40,000 if it did not apply under Round 1 or if it applied under Round 1 and was not successful.
• An eligible entity that received a grant of less than $40,000 in Round 1 can apply for the balance in Round 2.
• For example, an applicant awarded a $20,000 grant in Round 1 can also apply for a grant of up to $20,000 in Round 2, if successful, bringing their total grant across both rounds to $40,000 (all figures GST-exclusive).

4.1 (b): General Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the purposes of GST
• be a resident of Australia for operational and tax purposes
• have an account with an Australian financial institution, and
• be a legal entity with the capacity to enter into a legally binding agreement or contract with the Australian Government.

4.1 (c) Eligible Entity Types

To be eligible, you must be one of the following entity types:

• Company
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Indigenous Corporation
• Partnership. Individuals who are not GST-registered may apply on behalf of a GST-registered partnership. The Partnership agreement must be provided
• Person
• Sole Trader.

If you are applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust, the Trustee must be one of the eligible entity types as listed above.

Further information on entity types is available on the Community Grants Hub webpage.

 

Grant Activity Timeframe:

• Assessment of applications - Within 7 weeks from the closing date
• Approval of outcomes of the selection process - Within 10 weeks from the closing date
• Notification to applicants - Within 11 weeks from the closing date
• Negotiations and award of grant agreements - Within 15 weeks from the closing date
• Earliest start date of grant activity - November 2026
• End date of grant activity - 31 May 2027.

 

Instructions for Application Submission:

To apply, you must:

• Complete the online application form on GrantConnect 
• Provide all the information requested
• Address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria
• Include all necessary attachments
• Submit your application/s to the Community Grants Hub by 7:00 pm AWST/9:00 pm AEST on 13 July 2026.

 

For more information, click here. 

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.