- First round of grants now open under the $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program
- Grants of up to $2 million for producers for on-farm finishing systems
- Up to $5 million available for processors for capacity enhancement
Funding is now available to Western Australian sheep producers and processors to build capacity under the $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program.
The program forms part of the Albanese Labor Government's $139.7 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package to assist businesses to adjust to the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.
The program, administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation, aims to increase onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity in WA.
The program will fund capital works through two competitive grant rounds of $20 million each.
The first round is now open to eligible businesses that are, or will be, involved in production and processing in the sheep supply chain, including farmers, processors, feedlotters, and infrastructure providers such as cold storage and lairage providers.
On-farm producers and smaller-scale abattoirs are encouraged to apply.
Producers can apply for grants of up to $2 million towards finishing and feedlotting developments.
Grants of up to $5 million are available to processors to enhance processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate matching co-contributions. Applications close 5pm, 22 October 2025.
More information about the grants program is available from https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/supply-chain-capacity-program .
Quotes As put by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins MP:
"Australia's sheep industry is a proud and important part of our agricultural sector and the grant funding we are opening today will help ensure this continues into the future.
"The funding opening today will mean the industry can capitalise on consumer demand in Australia and overseas for high-quality and ethically produced food and fibre.
"This funding has been co-designed with industry to deliver the best possible investments as they move away from live sheep exports by sea, and I encourage WA farmers to take advantage of these new opportunities."
Quotes As put by WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"The WA Government is committed to supporting a stronger, more resilient sheep industry and supply chain.
"The Supply Chain Capacity Program, as part of the Australian Government's broader sheep transition plan, will assist Western Australian sheep producers and supply chain businesses to adjust to the ending of live sheep exports by sea and help mitigate the impact of the change.
"The program will incentivise investment in on-farm and processing supply chain capital infrastructure, to build confidence in the sheep industry and capture future opportunities."
