Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2

Purpose and Program Overview

The Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2 is a targeted funding initiative by the Northern Territory (NT) Government, dedicated to supporting NT agribusinesses and primary producers. The core purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to set up or expand the value-add capabilities of these Territory enterprises.

This program is aligned with the NT Government’s key priority of rebuilding the economy, specifically by recognising and investing in the agriculture sector as an essential development sector. By funding value-adding steps—such as production improvements, logistics enhancements, marketing activities, or processing—the program intends to increase the gross value of agribusiness production.

The grant program offers a total funding pool of $250,000 for this competitive round. The intended outcomes include increased unit value, decreased unit cost, increased enterprise return, and overall increased Territory production and employment within the agricultural value chain.

Key Grant Details

Key details for the Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2 are as follows:

• Grant amount or funding range: Maximum grant funding of $50,000 (GST exclusive) per successful application.
• Application open and close dates: Applications opened on 6 October 2025 and closed on Monday 3 November 2025.
• Eligible industries or business types: Primary producers and agribusinesses engaged in linked industries.
• Required co-contributions: Co-funding of up to 50% of total project costs is required from the applicant.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Strictly limited to Territory enterprises located in the Northern Territory (NT).

Priority Sectors

The grant is highly focused on the Agriculture and Value-Add Agribusiness sectors within the Northern Territory.

Priority areas for investment include:

• Value-Add Activities: Projects related to production improvement, input/logistics improvement, marketing activity, or some form of processing.
• Economic Outcomes: Projects demonstrating potential for increased production volume, increased unit value, decreased unit cost, or increased Territory production and employment.

Funding Scope

The $250,000 competitive grant pool offers a maximum grant amount of $50,000 per business, subject to a co-contribution requirement.

• Minimum and maximum amounts: The maximum grant amount is $50,000. The minimum grant is not specified, but the applicant must be able to fund at least 50% of the project cost.
• Funding Structure: The program offers up to a 50% co-contribution from the NT Government toward the project costs.
• Eligible Funding Focus: Funding supports capital works, the purchase and installation of capital items/equipment, and service delivery (such as training or consultancy) that directly support the value-add project.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: This is a one-off funding program, and the project timeline is not explicitly defined but is expected to align with the scope of the project and the grant agreement.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2, applicants must meet specific business and location criteria:

• Registered business location: Must be a Territory enterprise (located in the Northern Territory).
• Industry Focus: Must be a primary producer or engaged in a linked industry.
• Financial Status: Must be financially stable and solvent.
• ABN Status: Must hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supports capital expenditure and service costs directly enabling the development or expansion of a business’s value-add capabilities.

Eligible Activities include:

• Capital Works: Construction of new facilities or extension/upgrade of existing facilities.
• Processing/Production: Implementing production or input improvements.
• Logistics and Marketing: Activities to improve logistics or undertake targeted marketing to demonstrate value-add.

Eligible Expenditures include:

• Purchase of capital items (e.g., equipment).
• Installation of capital items.
• Service delivery costs, such as engaging consultants or training staff, provided they directly support the project.
• Capital works costs.

Assessment Process

The Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2 is a Competitive Grant Program. Applicants compete for the limited $250,000 funding pool, and applications are assessed against criteria focused on project merit and alignment with program outcomes.

While detailed weighted criteria are not provided, the assessment is based on the following implied factors:

• Project Merit: The proposed activity’s capacity to increase the gross value of agribusiness production (e.g., increased volume, unit value, or employment).
• Financial Viability: The applicant’s financial stability and solvency, coupled with their ability to meet the 50% co-contribution requirement.
• Territory Impact: The extent to which the project contributes to the NT Government’s economic rebuilding priorities within the agriculture sector.

Recent Program Updates

The Agricultural Value-Add Grant Round 2 is the latest instalment of this program. It follows a successful Round 1, in which 14 local businesses were awarded a total of $509,808. Round 2 provides a further $250,000 in co-contribution funding to stimulate growth in the NT agricultural sector. This grant round is currently open and has a short application window, closing on 3 November 2025.

Application Tips

NT agribusinesses preparing to apply for this funding should heed the following practical advice:

• Focus on Value-Add Metrics: Clearly quantify how the proposed project will lead to demonstrable value-add, such as a specific percentage increase in unit value or production volume, or a clear increase in employment.
• Confirm Financial Capacity: Ensure the business is financially stable and has secured the necessary funding to cover the minimum 50% co-contribution required for the project.
• Review Opportunity Documents: Thoroughly read the terms and conditions and familiarise the application with the identified value-add opportunities published by the NT Government to ensure maximum alignment.
• Address Eligibility: Double-check that all core eligibility criteria, including ABN status and definition as a Territory enterprise/primary producer, are fully met before submission.

Where to get help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.