NSW Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program – Planning and Transition Grants

Purpose and Program Overview

The Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program: Planning and Transition Grants is a New South Wales Government initiative administered by Fisheries and Forestry, part of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The Program was established to support businesses affected by the moratorium on timber harvesting in the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), which has disrupted supply chains for sawmills, harvest contractors, and haulage operators across the region.

The Program’s objective is to help impacted businesses remain viable where feasible, and to support regional economies and jobs in affected areas. It does this by funding two complementary streams: professional business planning advice, and financial support to implement an approved transition, diversification, downscaling, or closure plan. Up to $275,000 in total funding is available per eligible business across both streams.

The Program forms part of the broader government response to structural change in the forestry sector following the GKNP harvesting moratorium, giving affected operators a pathway to either restructure for continued viability or manage an orderly exit from the industry.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $275,000 (GST exclusive) per business
• Application opened: 7 May 2026
• Application closes: 8 September 2026, 4:00 pm AEST.
• Eligible business types: Sole traders, partnerships, trusts, and companies operating in Australia
• Co-contribution required: Not specified in published guidelines; applicants should confirm via the official program guidelines.
• Location applicability: New South Wales, for businesses impacted by the GKNP harvesting moratorium

Priority Sectors

The Program is specifically targeted at the forestry supply chain, including sawmills, harvest contractors, and haulage contractors in New South Wales whose operations have been affected by the GKNP harvesting moratorium. It is not open to businesses outside this sector.

Funding Scope

The Program is structured around two grant categories:

• Business Planning Grants: Up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) to engage professionals for financial analysis, business viability assessments, and transition or closure advice.
• Transition Support Grants: Up to $250,000 (GST exclusive) to implement an approved business plan, covering activities such as diversification, downscaling, equipment upgrades, tax and legal advice, and site remediation, or to support business closure.

Transition Support Grants are contingent on a detailed business plan being submitted and assessed prior to funding approval. Applications are processed and funding allocated in the order they are received, as Program funding is limited.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following:

• Operate as a sole trader, partnership, trust, or company in Australia.
• Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be registered with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
• Either have previously received approval under the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Grant Program, or
• Demonstrate a greater than 25% reduction in business revenue, or a greater than 25% increase in operating costs, linked to dealings with a sawmill, harvest contractor, or haulage contractor affected by the GKNP moratorium.

Applicants must address each eligibility criterion in full within their application, as incomplete responses may be excluded from assessment at the department’s discretion.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Funded activities include:

• Financial analysis, strategic advice, and business viability assessments
• Transition planning, market analysis, and diversification advice
• Business closure advice, including formal advice from a financial professional
• Business diversification or downscaling, where supported by an approved business plan
• Equipment upgrades, tax and legal advice, and site remediation tied to a transition or closure plan

The Program does not fund non-cash expenses such as depreciation, tax liabilities, loan repayments, salaries or wages of staff or contractors, loss of income, or expenses already covered under Round 1 of the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program.

Assessment Process

The Program operates on an order-of-receipt basis rather than a competitive merit round. Applications are processed as they are submitted, and funding is allocated until the available pool is exhausted. Applicants must provide supporting evidence, including financial statements, historical tax invoices demonstrating revenue impact, and, for Transition Support Grants, a detailed business plan submitted prior to assessment.

Recent Program Updates

• The Program opened for applications on 7 May 2026 and remains open, with a closing date of 8 September 2026 at 4:00 pm AEST
• Applicants who previously received approval under the earlier Forestry Industry Supply Chain Grant Program may be eligible to apply under this Program without needing to re-demonstrate the revenue or cost impact threshold
• Funding is capped and allocated in order of application receipt, so early submission is advantageous

Application Tips

• Confirm eligibility against all criteria, including ABN status, ATO registration, and the revenue or cost impact threshold, before applying
• Prepare financial statements for the 2024–25 financial year and BAS lodgements from Q1 2025–26 onward in advance
• Gather historical tax invoices that clearly link revenue decline to affected sawmill, harvest, or haulage contractor relationships
• For Transition Support Grants, ensure a detailed business plan is finalised before submitting, as this is a prerequisite for assessment
• Have bank account verification documents ready, such as the front page of a recent bank statement
• Submit early, as applications are assessed in the order received and funding is limited

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected 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 official website of the Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program – Planning and Transition Grants and other associated Australian government websites.