Supply Chain Support Program frequently asked questions

The $22 million Supply Chain Support Program (Round 1 and 2) is one of several grants offered under the Australian and NSW Government’s $150 million Primary Industry Support Package.

The Supply Chain Support Program will provide grants to eligible processors within the targeted primary industries of aquaculture (including fisheries), horticulture (blueberries, macadamias, pecans, vegetables, tea tree), or agriculture (beef, dairy, soybeans, sugarcane, intensive livestock), for the rebuilding, repair and enhancement of assets directly damaged by the February and March 2022 floods (AGRN 1012).

Harvesters of primary produce are eligible for assistance under the Supply Chain Support Program Round 2.

Funding is also available for the first receivers and processors of primary produce that were indirectly impacted by floods through disruptions to their regular supply chains.

$18.5 million in funding is available through the Supply Chain Support Program Round 2.

Eligible processors that experienced direct damage by the February and March 2022 floods can apply for up to $2 million for projects such as the replacement of damaged plant and machinery and business and product diversification. Minimum application is $50,000.

Processors indirectly impacted by floods through supply chain disruptions can apply for up to $250,000 to subsidise the transport of produce from out-of-normal supply areas or diversification to business. Minimum application is $50,000.

Many grants request a co-contribution from applicants.

A co-contribution is an amount of either financial and/or in-kind contribution that an applicant can use to match the value of the claim (50:50 co-contribution). 

A ‘financial co-contribution’ is an amount of money that an applicant can use towards their project. You can demonstrate this by providing evidence such as bank statements showing available funds.

An ‘in-kind’ contribution is often accepted as an alternative. An in-kind co-contribution is a contribution of a good or a service other than money, such as:

• an eligible activity already undertaken (eg. to repair storm and flood damage), evidenced by invoices that you have already paid and not claimed under another Australian or NSW Government programs/insurance; and/or
• a commitment of in-kind labour and/or resources to support eligible activities.

The Supply Chain Support Program has a minimum co-contribution of 50% of the total project cost. 

For example, an applicant claiming funding for indirect damage with a total value of $200,000, would claim $100,000 in grant monies and must co-contribute at least $100,000 towards the project or activities.

Co-contributions of less than 50% may be considered in extenuating circumstances.
 

Businesses must be in one of the 62 local government areas impacted by the AGRN 1012 disaster declaration.

The Department of Regional NSW conducted extensive analysis to better understand and document the direct damage to processing facilities by the floods in February and March 2022. 

This analysis has been supported by direct engagement through state and regional recovery subcommittees, industry working groups and direct consultation with industry representative organisations. This has informed the targeted industries which are prioritised under the Primary Industry Support Package, as well as the grant amounts for each targeted industry under the overall Supply Chain Support Program.

No. Only entities in eligible industries are eligible to apply for funding under the Supply Chain Support Program. The funding provided under this Program has been designed to complement existing support measures in place.

Refer to the NSW Grants and Funding Portal for other recovery funding programs.

No. You are not eligible if you have already received funding under the Supply Chain Support Program Round 1.

No. Primary producers in a targeted primary industry may be eligible to apply for the Critical Producer Grant.

Yes. Harvesters of primary produce in targeted primary industries are eligible to apply, along with first receivers and processors.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• replacement, repair, enhancement or adaptation of existing plant and equipment, including technology or energy efficiency upgrades, that increase resilience of the supply chain 
• sourcing of alternative production inputs for transition projects including fuel switching
• transportation of primary produce from outside of usual sourcing areas
• critical private infrastructure upgrades i.e. private roads directly linked to supply chain efficiencies
• diversification to process alternate primary produce which continues to support supply chains in eligible LGA(s) and industries
• development of new manufacturing processes
• product, business or sector development
• regeneration of natural assets including site clearance
• industry feasibility, research and development studies
• business development programs such as coordination and advice to industry members on adapting to change or linking with existing or emerging opportunities
• industry wide marketing and promotion activities.

As per the program guidelines, primary producers are only eligible under the Supply Chain Support Program if they have a separate processing facility. In order for a processing facility to be considered separate, it must process primary produce from other producers, alongside its own. A separate processing facility may also:

• possess a separate address from the growing or production site
• create outputs that are significantly distinguishable from the input of primary produce.

Applicants can claim flood related costs incurred since 22 February 2022 either as a co-contribution to the grant or as part of the grant funding amount requested.

Applicants claiming on the basis of being directly damaged by AGRN 1012 will be required to provide:

• a list of the direct storm and flood-related damage (mandatory)
• photographic evidence of the direct damage (mandatory)
• balance sheet equipment schedule
• depreciation tables
• any other appropriate evidence to prove direct damage for consideration by the Department in circumstances where the direct damage is unable to be photographed or other information (e.g. receipts) is not available 
• Applicants claiming on the basis of being indirectly damaged by AGRN 1012 will be required to provide:
• Documentation showing a loss of production output in 2022
• Receipts of purchase for primary produce outside of typical supply area
• Supporting documentation to show a lack of supply of primary produce

Applicants claiming on the basis of indirect damage from AGRN 1012 will be required to provide:

• documentation showing a loss of production output in 2022
• receipts of purchase for primary produce outside of typical supply area
• supporting documentation to show a lack of supply of primary produce

Applications will be assessed in line with the Supply Chain Support Program Round 2 guidelines. (PDF 921.81KB)

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome and provided an opportunity for feedback by the Department of Regional NSW. 

Applicants are encouraged to resubmit updated applications based on the feedback provided by the closing date, however, an applicant can only have one successful application, for which they have received funding, across all Supply Chain Support Program grant rounds. 

A successful applicant/applicant is when an applicant, who has had their project approved, has received funding under the Supply Chain Support Program for their approved project. 

Applicants can only have one successful application, for which they have received funding, across all Supply Chain Support Program grant rounds.

Applications for the Supply Chain Support Program Round 2 opened on 14 August 2023 and will close at 5pm 2 October 2023 via SmartyGrants.