Caring for Country Business Development Grant Program

This is a competitive grants program and submitting an application does not guarantee funding. The Caring for Country Grant Program has two funding streams:

“Accelerate Your Start-up”
Project funding of up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) is available for businesses that:
• Are in the early operational phase of their business,
• Need support in accelerating their business and
• Have been operating for less than 2 years.

“Scale up and Grow”
Project funding of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive) is available for businesses that have:
• Have been operating their business for at least 2 years,
• Need support in scaling-up their business,
• Have had an annual turnover of less than $5 million for each of the previous two
financial years, and
• Have set solid foundations for their business.

Business Eligibility

Businesses that are eligible to apply:
• Must be at least 50% Aboriginal owned, managed and controlled (proof required),
• Must be based in Greater Sydney,
• Must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW or
demonstrate their business was primarily operating in NSW as of 1 January
2022, and
• Must meet all conditions of funding as outlined in the Grant Guidelines.
Eligible business can come from a range of sectors including:
• Ecological restoration including tree planting
• Capital works such as fencing to support land management activities
• Natural resource management
• Cultural land management activities such as cultural burning
• Cultural heritage assessment
• Cultural tourism
• Environmental impact assessment or site assessment
• Education and engagement
• Pest and weed management
• Biodiversity assessment services

Businesses NOT eligible to apply:
• An income tax exempt corporation
• A trust
• Federal, State and Local Government agency and/or body, including a government
business enterprise.
• Eligible organisations can submit no more than one application each.

Project Eligibility

The following projects WILL be considered for funding:
• Upgrading equipment (purchasing or leasing);
• Development of non-material assets including but not limited to environmental
management, quality assurance and risk assessment policies
• ISO accreditation
• Upskilling staff
• Training and development, including conference attendance
• Coaching and mentoring
• Qualifications and licensing
• Acquiring specialised services to strengthen the capability of the business, including
but not limited to:
• Strategic planning,
• Capability statements,
• Graphic design,
• Web design and development
• Marketing and communications.
• Implementation of IT systems, services, and equipment

Projects that WILL NOT be considered for funding include:
• General operating costs;
• Wages, salaries, and on-costs for ongoing staff;
• Administration costs related to the normal operations of a business;
• Activities primarily associated with housing management and housing related
infrastructure including on former reserves and missions;
• Purchase of vehicles;
• Purchase of land;
• International travel costs. Proposals for domestic travel costs need to demonstrate
the benefits of travel to the project;
• Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the project that is funded
by the grant;
• Costs that are supported by another grant, subsidy, or financial assistance;
• Costs incurred prior to signing of the funding agreement between successful
businesses and NSWALC (no retrospective funding will be awarded); and
• Costs to cover existing debts or budget deficits.

Applications Open: 15th of May 2023

Applications Close: 9th of June 2023

Applications Reviewed: 12th - 16th of June 2023

Feedback Round: 19th - 30th of June 2023

Successful Applicants Notified: 3rd - 7th of July 2023

Project Commencement: 7th of August 2023 

Project Completion: 30th of April 2024