Growing Regional Economies Fund

Eligible applicants are:

• local councils
• Lord Howe Island Board (in its capacity as a service provider for an eligible location not covered by a local government entity)
• RDA Far West (in its capacity as a service provider for an eligible location not covered by a local government entity)
• joint organisations of councils, or regional organisations of councils
• Australian universities
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Applicants must provide evidence that they are an incorporated entity by providing either an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Australian Company Number (ACN). Eligible organisations that are unincorporated must provide evidence that they are registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or another Act.

Projects must be in one or more of the 93 regional Local Government Areas, in the Unincorporated Far West region, or on Lord Howe Island.

Read the list of Eligible Local Government Areas.

• Enabling infrastructure such as roads, bridges and other services to develop housing and investment precincts that can be linked to economic growth and employment
• Education, research and development facilities to drive innovation in engine or emerging industries
• Airport upgrades and expansions
• Enabling infrastructure that will support increased investment and employment opportunities. 

Project types and costs that are not eligible for funding include:

• costs that would be considered business-as-usual activities and operations
• projects or activities already funded or expecting to receive NSW Government funding, with the exception of new stages of a previously funded project or activity
• marketing, advertising, or product promotion including signage
• costs associated with recruiting employees, staff development and training
• activities, equipment or supplies that are already being supported through other sources
• financing costs, including interest and debt financing
• costs involved in the purchase or hire of software (including user licenses) and ICT equipment, with the exception of equipment and software specifically related to the project and essential to its success
• costs such as rent and utilities unless specifically related to the project
• insurance costs (applicants must hold and maintain adequate insurance coverage for any liability arising from their participation in funded activities)
• depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project
• opportunity costs relating to allocating resources to the agreed grant project
• projects that require ongoing grant funding from the NSW or Australian government
• projects that are likely to proceed without any NSW Government financial assistance
• buying or upgrading equipment that is not fixed to a particular site, with the exception of equipment specifically related to the project and essential to its success
• retrospective funding to cover any project component that is already complete before funding is announced.

For all information about the Growing Regional Economies Fund, including further details about program eligibility and assessment criteria, please see the Program Guidelines (PDF 12.42MB).

The Department of Regional NSW hosted two online information sessions for the Growing Regional Economies Fund (GREF) on Wednesday 15 February and Friday 17 February.

The sessions included an overview of the Program Guidelines (PDF 12.42MB) and participants were able to ask questions about the program and the application process.

• A recording of the session on 15 February is now available to view.
• A recording of the Local Aboriginal Land Council Growing Regional Economies Fund Session on 17 February is now available to view.

View Frequently Asked Questions to assist in preparing your application.