Farms of the Future (Agtech) Grant 2026

Executive Summary (Overview): The NSW Farms of the Future Agtech Grant provided up to $35,000 (70% funding) for primary producers to adopt agricultural technology, connectivity solutions, and IoT devices. Applications closed August 2023. This comprehensive guide examines eligibility criteria, application killers, and lessons for future agtech funding opportunities across Australia.

At a Glance: Farms of the Future Agtech Grant

Understanding the Farms of the Future Agtech Program: What Made It Different

The Farms of the Future program represented a strategic shift in how Australian state governments approached agricultural modernisation. Unlike traditional capital grants that simply handed over funds for equipment purchases, this program embedded mandatory education as a prerequisite, ensuring farmers understood how to maximise their technology investments.

The Core Mission

This wasn’t just about buying sensors or installing weather stations. The program aimed to create a network of tech-enabled farms that could:

1. Improve drought preparedness through real-time environmental monitoring
2. Enhance water efficiency using precision irrigation technologies
3. Boost productivity across four key sectors: cotton, livestock (sheep and beef), grains, and horticulture (tree crops and vines)
4. Generate valuable weather data that would feed back into regional forecasting systems

The data-sharing component was particularly innovative. By requiring grant recipients to provide weather data from their IoT devices back to the Department of Primary Industries, the program created a distributed network of monitoring stations across regional NSW, benefiting the entire agricultural community.

The “Hard” Eligibility Filter: Must-Haves vs Dealbreakers

Understanding what made an applicant eligible versus ineligible was crucial to success. Here’s the breakdown:

✅ Absolute Must-Haves (All Required)

1. Geographic Requirement Your primary production enterprise had to operate within one of these 11 Local Government Areas:

• Armidale Regional
• Ballina
• Byron
• Cabonne
• Carrathool
• Griffith
• Leeton
• Lismore
• Moree Plains
• Narrabri
• Orange

Real-World Example: A cotton grower with 500 hectares in Narrabri qualified geographically. A neighbouring producer 15 kilometres outside the boundary in an adjacent LGA did not, regardless of farm size or productivity.

2. Active ABN Requirement You needed an active Australian Business Number specifically registered to your primary production enterprise. This ABN had to demonstrate genuine farming activity.
3. Business Structure Compliance Acceptable structures included:

• Sole traders
• Partnerships
• Family trusts
• Private companies
• Hybrid combinations (e.g., trust operating through a company)

Corporate entities, publicly listed companies, and non-profit organisations were ineligible.

4. Revenue Threshold Minimum $40,000 annual turnover from primary production OR recognition as a bona fide primary production enterprise by the Australian Taxation Office. This protected against hobby farms accessing funds intended for commercial operations.
5. Training Completion Mandate This was non-negotiable. You had to:

• Attend the Farms of the Future training program by 30 June 2023, OR
• Enrol in the online Canvas training by 30 June 2023 AND complete by 31 July 2023
• Receive an official Certificate of Completion

Why This Mattered: The training wasn’t ceremonial. It covered agtech selection, data interpretation, connectivity options, and integration with existing farm management systems. Applicants who skipped or failed the training were automatically disqualified, regardless of farm size or potential project merit.

6. Data Sharing Agreement Recipients had to agree to provide weather data from approved Ag IoT devices to DPI. This wasn’t optional consultation; it was contractual obligation.
7. Approved Technology Catalogue All purchases had to come from the pre-vetted Farms of the Future Agtech Catalogue. Custom solutions, grey imports, or non-approved suppliers were ineligible.

❌ Automatic Dealbreakers

1. The Pre-Purchase Trap If you purchased ANY agtech, connectivity solutions, or IoT devices before receiving your training certification, those purchases were permanently ineligible for reimbursement. This caught numerous applicants who, excited about the program, bought equipment immediately after reading the guidelines.

Case Study: A Cabonne grain grower purchased a $15,000 soil moisture monitoring system in late February 2023, planning to claim it after attending March training. The purchase predated certification by three weeks. Despite completing training and submitting a thorough application, the entire system was disallowed. He had to either absorb the full cost or purchase different equipment post-certification.

2. The Double-Dipping Prohibition Technology already covered by NSW Government grants or insurance policies was ineligible. This included:

• Equipment claimed under previous drought relief programs
• Items replaced via insurance following flood, fire, or storm damage
• Devices funded through other DPI or Regional NSW initiatives

3. The “One ABN, One Grant” Limitation (First Round) In the initial funding round, each ABN could only submit one application. Family farming operations with multiple ABNs (e.g., parents operating a cattle enterprise separately from adult children’s cropping operation) could each apply, but a single business couldn’t submit multiple applications even if operating diverse enterprises.

Subsequent rounds allowed additional applications provided the total didn’t exceed the $35,000 cap per ABN.

4. Non-Catalogue Equipment Any device, software, or connectivity solution not specifically listed in the approved catalogue was categorically ineligible. This protected against inferior products but frustrated applicants who’d identified cutting-edge technologies from international suppliers.

The “Application Killer” Section: Non-Obvious Rejection Triggers

Even applicants who met all eligibility criteria faced hidden pitfalls. Here are three critical failure points that rejected otherwise-qualified applications:

Application Killer #1: The Invoice Date Trap

The Problem: Many farmers operated on informal purchasing arrangements with suppliers. A grower might verbally commit to a sensor package in March, receive delivery in April, but not receive formal invoicing until June. If that invoice predated their 30 June training certification date, the entire purchase became ineligible.

What Went Wrong: The Rural Assistance Authority assessed eligibility based on invoice issue dates, not delivery dates or verbal commitments. An invoice dated 28 June 2023 for equipment that wasn’t even delivered yet would disqualify that purchase if the applicant’s training certificate was dated 2 July 2023.

The Solution That Worked: Successful applicants coordinated with suppliers to structure invoicing around their certification timeline. This meant:

• Completing training FIRST
• Obtaining certificate before any purchasing discussions
• Requesting suppliers to hold formal invoicing until after certificate receipt
• Getting invoice date confirmation in writing before finalising purchases

Real-World Impact: A Leeton horticulturalist lost $8,400 in potential grant funding because three invoices in his claim were dated two days before his training certificate. The RAA rejected those items without exceptions, despite his completing training and the equipment being catalogue-approved.

Application Killer #2: The Primary Producer Status Grey Zone

The Problem: Not all farming operations clearly fit ATO’s “primary producer” definition. Agritourism ventures, farm-gate sales operations, and diversified rural enterprises often blurred lines between primary production and retail/tourism activities.

What Went Wrong: The RAA conducted thorough verification of primary producer status using tax returns, financial statements, and BAS records. Operations generating substantial income from non-farming activities sometimes failed this test.

Example Scenario: A Byron Bay macadamia farm generating $120,000 from nut production but also running a $180,000 farm-stay accommodation business. Despite the farming component exceeding the $40,000 threshold, the RAA questioned whether the enterprise’s primary purpose was agricultural production or tourism.

How This Manifested:

• Applications delayed 4-6 weeks for additional documentation
• Requests for accountant verification letters
• ATO activity statement reviews to determine income source breakdown
• In borderline cases, outright rejection

The Protective Strategy: Successful mixed-use operations:

• Maintained completely separate ABNs for farming vs tourism/retail activities
• Applied using the ABN exclusively linked to primary production
• Provided tax returns showing farming as the dominant income source
• Included Local Land Services rate notices proving agricultural land classification

Application Killer #3: The Connectivity Cap Confusion

The Problem: The program imposed a specific sub-limit of $15,000 for connectivity solutions within the overall $35,000 cap. Many applicants misunderstood how this worked, leading to rejected claims or reduced funding.

What Went Wrong: Applicants frequently:

• Assumed the $15,000 was IN ADDITION to the $35,000 (creating a theoretical $50,000 total)
• Applied connectivity costs incorrectly across multiple categories
• Failed to distinguish between “connectivity infrastructure” and “devices requiring connectivity”

The Actual Rules: Your total grant could be UP TO $35,000, but:

• Maximum $15,000 of that could go to connectivity (towers, repeaters, satellite links, ongoing data subscriptions)
• Remaining $20,000 could fund IoT devices, sensors, integration dashboards

Failed Application Example: An Armidale sheep producer submitted a $38,000 application:

• $18,000 for LoRaWAN infrastructure (over the $15,000 connectivity cap)
• $20,000 for sensors and livestock monitoring devices

The RAA approved only $33,000:

• $15,000 for connectivity (capped)
• $18,000 for devices (reducing from requested $20,000 to stay within overall limit)

The producer had to either:

• Accept reduced funding and pay $5,000 out of pocket
• Restructure the application (if timing allowed)
• Abandon some planned technology purchases

The Winning Formula: Top applicants pre-calculated their split:

• Prioritised highest-ROI devices first
• Budgeted connectivity realistically (most actual connectivity needs were $8,000-$12,000)
• Left buffer room under caps for price fluctuations

Step-by-Step Submission Guide: Navigating the Portal and Documentation

Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation (Before Touching the Application)

Step 1: Training Enrollment and Completion This was your absolute first action. Nothing else mattered until you held that certificate.

Timeline Planning:

• Face-to-face training sessions: Scheduled quarterly (checked DPI website for dates)
• Online Canvas course: Self-paced, but required 12-15 hours over 4-6 weeks
• Certificate processing: Issued digitally within 72 hours of course completion

Training Content Overview: The curriculum covered:

• IoT fundamentals for agriculture (sensors, gateways, connectivity protocols)
• Data collection, storage, and interpretation
• Integration with existing farm management software
• Agtech product selection frameworks
• Connectivity options (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, satellite, 4G/5G)
• Return on investment calculations for precision agriculture

Step 2: Develop Your Agtech Plan Post-training, you created a formal Agtech Plan identifying:

• Current farm productivity metrics and challenges
• Specific technologies from the approved catalogue
• Expected outcomes (water savings, yield improvements, labour efficiency)
• Integration approach with existing systems
• Data utilisation strategy

This plan required endorsement (typically from your trainer or a DPI extension officer).

Step 3: Gather Financial Documentation Assemble before starting the online application:

• Latest farm business tax returns
• Financial statements (profit and loss, balance sheet)
• Local Land Services rates notice OR local council rates notice
• Lease agreement (if leasing the property rather than owning)

Existing Grant Recipients Exemption: If you’d previously submitted tax returns to NSW RAA for any grants since 2020-21, you could reference those instead of uploading duplicates.

Step 4: Catalogue Review and Supplier Coordination Log into the Farms of the Future Agtech Catalogue (hosted at agtech.dpi.nsw.gov.au) and:

• Identify specific products matched to your Agtech Plan
• Contact approved suppliers for current pricing
• Confirm supplier stock availability
• Request quotations with itemised breakdowns
• Critically: Coordinate invoice timing relative to your certificate date

Phase 2: Online Application Submission

Step 5: Access the Rural Assistance Authority Application Portal Applications were submitted through the RAA’s Terraform Forms platform, accessed via: [Link was provided in original program materials]

Required Information Fields:

Section A: Applicant Details

• Legal business name
• Trading name (if different)
• ABN (validated in real-time against ABR)
• Business structure type
• Contact person details
• Physical farm address (verified against eligible LGA list)

Section B: Primary Production Verification

• ANZSIC code confirmation (from approved list in guidelines)
• Annual turnover declaration
• Primary production percentage of overall business income
• Number of years operating
• Property size (hectares)

Section C: Training Certification

• Certificate number
• Completion date
• Training mode (face-to-face vs online Canvas)
• Upload certificate PDF

Section D: Agtech Plan

• Upload endorsed plan document
• Summary of proposed technologies (200-word limit)
• Expected outcomes description
• Integration timeline

Section E: Technology Specification For each item:

• Product name (exactly as listed in catalogue)
• Catalogue reference number
• Approved supplier name
• Quantity
• Unit cost
• Subtotal
• Whether item constitutes “connectivity” for cap purposes

Section F: Budget Breakdown Automated calculation from Section E:

• Total eligible costs
• Connectivity subset total
• Requested grant amount (70% of total, respecting caps)
• Applicant co-contribution (30%)
• GST treatment

Section G: Data Sharing Agreement

• Electronic acceptance of data provision terms
• Confirmation of compatible devices
• Acknowledgment of data use for research and forecasting

Section H: Declarations Standard compliance declarations:

• Information accuracy
• No double-dipping confirmation
• Authority to commit the business
• Understanding of program terms

Step 6: Document Upload PDF uploads required:

• Training certificate
• Endorsed Agtech Plan
• Tax returns (unless previously submitted)
• Financial statements
• Rates notice
• Lease agreement (if applicable)

File Requirements:

• PDF format only
• Maximum 5MB per file
• Clear, readable scans (RAA rejected blurry or incomplete documents)

Phase 3: Post-Submission Process

Step 7: Acknowledgment and Initial Review Within 48 hours:

• Automated email confirmation of submission
• Application reference number assignment
• Access to applicant portal for status tracking

Step 8: DPI Preliminary Assessment (5-10 business days) DPI staff verified:

• Training certificate authenticity
• Agtech Plan endorsement
• Technology alignment with approved catalogue
• Eligible LGA confirmation

Incomplete Applications: Placed in “holding” status with email notification specifying missing elements. Clock stopped until information provided.

Step 9: RAA Financial Assessment (10-20 business days) Rural Assistance Authority review included:

• Primary producer status verification
• Financial viability assessment
• ABN validation against ASIC records
• Prior grant history check
• Fraud and investigation screening

Complex Applications: Extended to 30 business days for operations with:

• Mixed income sources
• Complex trust structures
• First-time grant applicants
• High-value claims near $35,000 cap

Step 10: Approval Notification Successful applications received:

• Formal approval letter (PDF)
• Approved amount (sometimes less than requested if RAA identified ineligible items)
• Conditions of funding
• Claim submission instructions
• Deadline for invoice submission

Minister’s Office Protocol: Details of approved grants were provided to the responsible Minister’s office five working days before applicants were notified (standard government transparency procedure).

Phase 4: Claiming Your Grant (Post-Approval)

Step 11: Making Eligible Purchases Following approval:

• Purchase approved items from catalogue suppliers
• Ensure invoices clearly itemise each product
• Confirm invoice dates are POST-certification
• Request Tax Invoices showing GST breakdown
• Retain proof of payment

Step 12: Claim Submission Upload to RAA portal:

• Original supplier invoices (PDF)
• Proof of payment (bank statements, receipts)
• Delivery documentation (where applicable)
• Installation confirmation for connectivity infrastructure

Claim Processing Timeline: RAA committed to:

• 15 business days for straightforward claims
• Up to 20 business days for complex multi-supplier claims

Step 13: Payment Once verified:

• Electronic funds transfer to nominated bank account
• Remittance advice via email
• Obligation to maintain equipment and provide data as agreed

Why Applications Failed: The Top Rejection Reasons 

Of 415 applications, 29 were declined (7%). Post-program analysis revealed:

1. Training Non-Completion (34% of rejections) Applicants who enrolled but never finished, missed deadlines, or failed to obtain certificates.
2. Geographic Ineligibility (24% of rejections) Properties straddling LGA boundaries where the majority of landholding fell outside eligible areas.
3. Pre-Purchase Violations (17% of rejections) Invoices or purchase commitments predating training certification.
4. Primary Producer Verification Failure (14% of rejections) Inability to demonstrate qualifying agricultural income or operations.
5. Catalogue Non-Compliance (7% of rejections) Requested technologies not listed in approved catalogue.
6. Incomplete Documentation (4% of rejections) Failure to provide required financial records despite multiple requests.

Unsure of your eligibility? Check Your Eligibility Probability Here.

Eligible vs Ineligible Expenses: The Comprehensive Breakdown

✅ What the Grant COULD Fund (Up to 70% of Costs)

Category 1: Agricultural IoT Devices From the approved catalogue:

• Soil moisture sensors (capacitance, neutron probe, TDR systems)
• Weather stations (rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation)
• Livestock monitoring (GPS ear tags, virtual fencing collars, automated weighing)
• Crop monitoring (NDVI sensors, thermal cameras, multispectral imaging)
• Water monitoring (flow meters, tank level sensors, pump efficiency monitors)
• Pasture biomass sensors
• Frost prediction and warning systems
• Evapotranspiration monitoring equipment

Real-World Application – Cotton Farm, Narrabri: Approved purchase: $24,500 for comprehensive monitoring suite

• 30x soil moisture sensors across three fields: $12,000
• Weather station with 4G connectivity: $4,500
• 6x water flow meters on irrigation channels: $5,500
• Integration dashboard (3-year subscription): $2,500 Grant funded: $17,150 (70%) Grower co-contribution: $7,350 (30%)

Category 2: Connectivity Solutions (Capped at $15,000)

• LoRaWAN gateway towers and repeaters
• NB-IoT base stations
• Satellite communication infrastructure (StarLink, NBN SkyMuster setups)
• 4G/5G signal boosters and antennas
• Mesh network equipment
• Ongoing data subscription costs (up to program end date: 30 June 2025)

Note on Subscriptions: Monthly or annual subscription fees for data transmission, cloud storage, and software licenses were eligible IF the subscription period ended by or before 30 June 2025.

Real-World Application – Sheep Station, Armidale: Approved connectivity spend: $13,200

• LoRaWAN gateway tower (solar-powered): $7,500
• 3x range extenders for 8,000-hectare coverage: $3,900
• 24-month data subscription: $1,800 Grant funded: $9,240 (70%) Grower co-contribution: $3,960 (30%)

Category 3: Data Integration Dashboards

• Cloud-based farm management platforms with IoT integration
• Decision support software combining weather, soil, and crop data
• Automated alert systems
• Historical data analysis and reporting tools

Critical Requirement: Dashboard software had to integrate with catalogue-approved devices. Custom-built or proprietary closed systems from non-approved vendors were ineligible.

Real-World Application – Citrus Orchard, Cabonne: Approved dashboard integration: $4,800

• Precision agriculture platform (36-month subscription): $3,600
• Initial setup and configuration: $800
• Training modules: $400 Grant funded: $3,360 (70%) Grower co-contribution: $1,440 (30%)

❌ What the Grant WOULD NOT Fund

1. Equipment Already Owned or Replaced

• Devices purchased before training certification
• Replacements for equipment covered by insurance claims
• Upgrades to existing systems if original purchase was grant-funded elsewhere

2. Non-Catalogue Items

• International agtech products not vetted by DPI
• Prototype or beta-stage technologies
• Consumer-grade equipment (even if functionally similar to approved agricultural variants)

Example: A farmer wanted to use consumer-grade Ecowitt weather stations ($300 each) instead of catalogue-approved agricultural stations ($1,200 each). Despite Ecowitt devices measuring the same parameters, they were ineligible because they weren’t in the catalogue. The additional cost difference of $900 per station couldn’t be offset by the grant.

3. Labour, Installation, and Services

• Professional installation fees
• Electrician costs for power supply
• IT contractor fees for network configuration
• Training beyond the mandatory Farms of the Future program
• Consulting fees for farm system design

Workaround That Worked: Some approved suppliers included basic installation in their product pricing. A solar-powered weather station priced at $5,200 “including standard installation” was eligible because installation was bundled into the device cost, not billed separately.

4. Infrastructure Beyond Connectivity

• Farm roads or vehicle access for sensor installation
• Buildings or sheds to house equipment
• Power supply infrastructure (trenching, cabling, switchboards)
• Irrigation system upgrades (even if needed to utilise new sensors)

5. Retrospective Purchases Any invoice dated before the applicant’s training certificate was permanently ineligible, regardless of delivery date or payment timing.
6. Repairs, Maintenance, and Warranties

• Extended warranty purchases
• Ongoing maintenance agreements
• Replacement parts for approved equipment
• Calibration services

7. Non-Primary Production Applications Equipment for:

• Hobby farms or lifestyle properties
• Agricultural education institutions
• Research facilities (unless also operating commercial production)
• Agritourism attractions using farming as a theme

Sector-Specific Agtech Opportunities: What Worked Best by Industry

The program targeted four primary sectors. Here’s how successful applicants in each category maximised their grants:

Cotton Sector

Top Technologies:

• Soil moisture monitoring for precision irrigation
• Weather station networks for heat stress prediction
• Water flow meters for regulatory compliance

Success Story – Moree Plains Cotton Operation: 2,400-hectare farm deployed:

• 45 soil moisture sensors across 8 irrigation bays: $18,000
• Weather station with evapotranspiration calculation: $6,500
• 12 flow meters on irrigation channels: $8,200
• Integration platform (3-year subscription): $2,800 Total cost: $35,500 Grant funding: $24,850 (70% of eligible $35,500) Grower contribution: $10,650

ROI Achievement: Within one season:

• 22% reduction in irrigation water use
• $31,000 annual water cost savings
• Improved plant health scores
• Grant payback period: 10 months

Livestock (Sheep and Beef)

Top Technologies:

• GPS livestock tracking and virtual fencing
• Automated water point monitoring
• Pasture biomass measurement

Success Story – Armidale Beef Cattle Enterprise: 6,000-hectare property implemented:

• 200 GPS ear tags with virtual fencing: $20,000
• 15 water tank level sensors: $6,750
• Pasture biomass monitoring system: $5,500
• Connectivity (LoRaWAN): $8,000 Total cost: $40,250 Grant funding: $24,500 (70% of $35,000 cap, connectivity capped at $15,000) Grower contribution: $15,750

ROI Achievement: First 18 months:

• 40% reduction in mustering labour hours (saved $28,000 annually)
• Prevented two major water shortage incidents
• Improved pasture utilisation by 15%
• Grant payback period: 15 months

Grains

Top Technologies:

• Weather station networks for frost prediction
• Soil moisture monitoring for planting decisions
• Grain storage temperature and moisture sensors

Success Story – Narrabri Wheat and Barley Farm: 1,800-hectare grain operation installed:

• Weather station with frost prediction: $7,200
• 25 soil moisture sensors for variable rate seeding: $13,500
• Grain storage monitoring (2 silos): $4,800
• Dashboard integration: $3,200
• Connectivity (4G booster): $6,000 Total cost: $34,700 Grant funding: $24,290 Grower contribution: $10,410

ROI Achievement: Two seasons:

• Avoided $45,000 in frost damage through early warning
• Optimised seeding timing, increasing yield 8%
• Prevented grain spoilage worth $12,000
• Grant payback period: 8 months

Horticulture (Tree Crops and Vines)

Top Technologies:

• Precision irrigation scheduling
• Frost and heat stress monitoring
• Pest and disease prediction systems

Success Story – Orange Cherry Orchard: 22-hectare intensive cherry production deployed:

• 60 soil moisture sensors: $18,000
• Micro-climate weather stations (4 units): $11,200
• Automated irrigation control system: $8,500
• Connectivity (mesh network): $4,500 Total cost: $42,200 Grant funding: $29,540 (70% of capped $35,000, connectivity at $4,500 within $15,000 limit) Grower contribution: $12,660

ROI Achievement: First season:

• 18% water savings ($8,900 value)
• Optimised fruit sizing, increasing premium grade by 12%
• Additional revenue: $34,000
• Grant payback period: 4 months

Unsure of your eligibility? Check Your Eligibility Probability Here.

Lessons for Future Agtech Funding Opportunities

While Farms of the Future has closed, several state and federal agtech programs follow similar structures. Key transferable lessons:

Lesson 1: Training Prerequisites Are Non-Negotiable Modern grant programs increasingly require proof of capability before funding equipment. Start with education.

Lesson 2: Invoice Timing Is Critical Coordinate with suppliers to ensure all invoicing occurs AFTER you’ve met all prerequisites. A few days’ difference can disqualify thousands in funding.

Lesson 3: Understand Sub-Limits and Caps Read fine print about category-specific limits within overall caps. Don’t assume totals are additive.

Lesson 4: Primary Producer Status Requires Documentation Maintain clear separation between agricultural and non-agricultural business activities. Use separate ABNs where possible.

Lesson 5: Catalogue Restrictions Protect and Limit Approved supplier lists ensure quality but restrict choice. Research catalogue thoroughly before planning purchases.

Lesson 6: Data Sharing Is Increasingly Common Expect future programs to require reciprocal benefit (data, case studies, monitoring) in exchange for funding.

FAQ: Farms of the Future Agtech Grant

Q: Is the Farms of the Future grant still accepting applications? A: No. Applications closed on 31 August 2023 and the claims period ended 29 February 2024. The program is permanently closed.

Q: Will there be another round of Farms of the Future funding? A: As of February 2025, NSW Government has not announced a second round. Monitor the Department of Primary Industries website and subscribe to our grant alerts for updates on similar programs.

Q: Was the grant funding taxable income? A: Generally, yes. Grants received for business purposes are assessable income under Australian tax law. However, tax treatment varies based on individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional familiar with primary production taxation.

Q: What happened if my application was approved but I couldn’t purchase equipment before the deadline? A: Claims had to be lodged by 29 February 2024. Approved applicants who missed this deadline forfeited their funding. Extensions were not granted.

Q: Could I claim GST on the grant amount? A: No. The grant was based on GST-exclusive costs and was not subject to GST. Your 30% co-contribution may have been GST-claimable depending on your business structure.

Q: What if my farm straddled multiple LGAs, some eligible and some not? A: Eligibility was determined by where the majority of your agricultural operation occurred. If most of your productive area fell within an eligible LGA, you could apply. RAA used rates notices and property titles to verify.

Q: Were subscription costs for agtech platforms eligible even though the program ended 30 June 2025? A: Yes, subscription costs up to and including the program end date (30 June 2025) were eligible. Subscriptions extending beyond that date were only funded for the period until 30 June 2025.

Q: What happened to the data collected from grant-funded devices? A: Grant recipients were contractually obligated to provide weather data to DPI for research and regional forecasting purposes. This data was anonymised and aggregated for public weather prediction services.

Q: Could I sell my farm after receiving the grant? A: There were no explicit restrictions on property sale in the program guidelines. However, you remained obligated to provide data for the equipment’s operational life. Check your specific funding agreement for any clawback clauses.

Q: What similar programs are currently available? A: Several alternatives exist in 2025:

• Federal Agriculture Technology and Equipment Grants
• State-specific precision agriculture rebates
• Industry-funded agtech adoption programs

Check our comprehensive guide to current agricultural funding opportunities for details.

Glossary of Agtech and Grant Terms

ABN (Australian Business Number): Unique 11-digit identifier for businesses operating in Australia, issued by the Australian Business Register.

Ag IoT (Agricultural Internet of Things): Network of sensors, devices, and systems that collect and exchange agricultural data for farm management.

ANZSIC Code: Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification code identifying business activity type.

Bona Fide Primary Production Enterprise: Business recognized by the ATO as genuinely engaged in agricultural production for profit, regardless of annual turnover.

Capacitance Sensor: Soil moisture measurement device using electrical capacitance to estimate water content.

Dashboard (Agtech Context): Software interface displaying integrated data from multiple farm sensors and systems.

Evapotranspiration (ET): Combined water loss from soil evaporation and plant transpiration, critical for irrigation scheduling.

LoRaWAN: Long Range Wide Area Network, low-power wireless communication protocol ideal for farm sensor networks.

LGA (Local Government Area): Administrative region managed by local council in NSW.

NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index): Measure of plant health and biomass using reflected light spectrums.

NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things): Cellular communication standard designed for low-power, long-range IoT devices.

Primary Production: Agricultural activities including growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting natural resources.

RAA (Rural Assistance Authority): NSW Government body administering grants and loans to primary producers.

TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry): Advanced soil moisture measurement technique using electromagnetic pulse reflection.

What Current Agtech Programs Can Learn From Farms of the Future

The program’s 93% approval rate (386 of 415 applications) demonstrates several design successes:

1. Mandatory Training Created Quality Applications By requiring education first, most applicants submitted well-informed, realistic proposals. This reduced back-and-forth clarifications and reassessments.
2. Pre-Approved Catalogues Streamlined Assessment DPI’s vetting of suppliers and products eliminated lengthy technical evaluations during application review.
3. Clear Geographic Boundaries Prevented Disputes Unlike programs with vague “regional” or “disadvantaged area” criteria, LGA-specific eligibility was unambiguous.
4. Data Sharing Created Public Value The reciprocal weather data requirement transformed a subsidy into a research investment benefiting the entire agricultural sector.
5. Co-Contribution Ensured Serious Commitment The 30% cost-share requirement screened out speculative applications while remaining accessible to viable operations.

Areas for Improvement in Future Programs:

1. More Flexible Installation Support Many farmers struggled with the prohibition on installation labour funding, particularly for complex connectivity infrastructure in remote locations.
2. Longer Implementation Timeframes The February-August application window was tight for producers managing seasonal operations. Some missed out simply due to harvest or planting timing conflicts.
3. Clearer Subscription Cost Guidelines Confusion about which ongoing costs were eligible (data plans, cloud storage, software licenses) required significant clarification resources.
4. Better Support for Complex Business Structures Applications from family trusts, corporate farms, and partnership arrangements often required extensive supplementary documentation.

Current Agtech Funding Alternatives (2025 Programs)

While Farms of the Future has closed, several active programs support agricultural technology adoption:

Federal Programs

Agriculture Stewardship Package – Technology Stream

• Up to $50,000 for precision agriculture technology
• National eligibility
• Focus on emissions reduction and sustainability

Export Market Development Grants (Agtech Category)

• Funding for technology enabling export growth
• Up to $100,000 over two years
• Requires demonstrated export activity

NSW State Programs

Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund – Primary Industries

• Project-based funding for agricultural innovation
• Minimum $50,000, maximum $5 million
• Competitive assessment process

Climate-Smart Agriculture Program

• Focus on climate adaptation technologies
• Rolling applications
• 50-75% funding depending on project

Industry-Specific Programs

Cotton Australia Precision Agriculture Initiative

• Member-exclusive grants
• Focus on water efficiency technology
• Up to $25,000

Meat and Livestock Australia Producer Innovation Fast-Track

• Livestock technology grants
• Rapid assessment (30 days)
• Up to $35,000

Private Sector Initiatives

AgTech Incubator Grants (Various)

• Startup-focused agtech development
• Mentorship + funding packages
• Typically $10,000-$75,000

For comprehensive details on current programs, consult our searchable grants database or contact Australian Grants for personalised assistance.

Unsure of your eligibility? Check Your Eligibility Probability Here.

Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Farms of the Future

Though closed, Farms of the Future established important precedents for Australian agricultural policy:

1. Education-First Funding The model of requiring capability-building before capital deployment is now common across government grants.
2. Data as Public Infrastructure The concept of grant-funded equipment generating publicly beneficial data has influenced subsequent environmental monitoring programs.
3. Sector-Specific Technology Targeting Rather than generic “innovation” funding, focusing on proven technologies for specific industries (cotton, grains, livestock, horticulture) created measurable impacts.
4. Regional Precision Concentrating funding in specific LGAs allowed for dense technology deployment, creating network effects and shared learning communities.

The program’s learnings now inform federal and state agtech strategies, particularly around drought resilience and climate adaptation.

Internal Resources for Grant Seekers

For comprehensive grant support, explore these Australian Grants resources:

• Agricultural and Primary Producer Grants – Current farming sector funding opportunities
• Government Business Loans – Alternative financing for agtech purchases
• Small Business Grants NSW – State-specific funding programs
• Grants for Green Energy Projects – Renewable energy integration for farms