NSW Rural Assistance Authority – Transport Subsidy (Animal Welfare)

This program aims to provide a subsidy on the transport of stock to sale or slaughter for animal welfare reasons.

A subsidy is permanently available where:
- Animals are at significant risk in terms of animal welfare.
- There is little or no feed and/or water available. (This includes both pasture and stored fodder).
- Animals leave the farming enterprise permanently.
- The enterprise demonstrates a significant financial need.

A subsidy of up to 50% of the total freight cost to a maximum of $20,000 per farm enterprise per financial year is available.

Claims may be submitted no more than six months after movement of the stock.

A total funding pool of $500,000 is available per financial year.

Before applying for financial assistance under this program or making any decision, applicants should seek advice from their legal, business and financial advisers to determine their eligibility for and the terms of the financial assistance.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate that:
- They are the owner and/or operator (e.g. lessee) of a farm business in NSW.
- The business operates as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company and trades agricultural products.
- They are claiming in relation to farmed animals appearing on the most recent Land & Stock Return.
- The business is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a primary producer, and have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- The owners and operators of the business earn more than 50% of gross income from the primary production enterprise under normal seasonal conditions.
- They can provide confirmation that they are in financial need by either being in receipt of a Farm Household Allowance (FHA) or being an eligible client of the Rural Financial Counselling (RFC) service.

Eligible activities include the transport of:
- Stock to slaughter
- Stock to sale

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible costs.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Transport of fodder for stock (including bees) to drought affected properties.
- Transport of domestic water to drought affected properties.
- Transport of drinking water for stock (including bees) to drought affected properties.
- Transport of stock to or from agistment.
- Commercial feedlots.