Traceability Grants Program (TGP): Round 4

Purpose and Program Overview

The Traceability Grants Program (TGP) – Round 4 is an Australian Government initiative under the Modernising Agricultural Trade – Protecting Australia’s Clean, Green Brand initiative, designed to support collaborative agricultural traceability projects across supply chains. The program aims to assist implementation of the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033 by funding projects that improve how data is captured, shared and used to meet regulatory requirements and provide feedback to farmers.​

This round focuses on projects that better align processes and technologies for data capture and use, support agricultural industries to implement interoperable traceability systems, and strengthen awareness of agricultural traceability through communication and education activities. A total of approximately $4.4 million (GST inclusive) is available under Round 4, with individual grants ranging from $55,000 to $550,000 for projects expected to be completed by 30 June 2028.

By improving traceability systems, the program is intended to enhance export competitiveness, increase market access opportunities and support regulatory and commercial compliance across Australian agricultural industries. It also encourages collaboration between industry, research organisations, government entities and other partners to deliver scalable, interoperable solutions that can be applied across multiple commodities and supply chains.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount/funding range: From $55,000 to $550,000 (GST exclusive) per project.
• Total funding pool: $4.4 million (AUD) available under Round 4.
• Applications open: 13 January 2026.​
• Applications close: 18 February 2026, 11:00 pm AEDT / ACT local time.
• Eligible industries/business types: Agricultural and agrifood-related industries and supply chains undertaking traceability projects; eligible applicants include companies, incorporated associations, partnerships, local governments, publicly funded research organisations, not‑for‑profits, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporations.
• Required co-contributions: No mandatory cash co-contribution requirement is specified; applicants must demonstrate value for money and may provide financial and/or in-kind contributions as part of their proposal (see guidelines).​
• Location/jurisdiction: Projects and applicants can be based in any Australian state or territory – ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS.
• Administering agency: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).​

Priority Sectors

Round 4 is focused on agricultural traceability across Australia’s agriculture and agrifood supply chains rather than on specific commodity sub‑sectors. Projects must align with the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033 and its identified priority areas for action.

The program materials do not restrict funding to particular commodity groups (such as grains, meat, horticulture or seafood), so it is open to a broad range of agricultural sectors where projects can improve traceability, data sharing and system interoperability.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum grant per project:
  • Minimum grant: $55,000 (AUD).
  • Maximum grant: $550,000 (AUD).​
• Funding structure/streams:
  • Round 4 operates as a single competitive grant round rather than multiple streams.​
  • Funding supports collaborative traceability implementation projects that target at least one of three priority areas:
    • Align processes and technologies to capture and use data for multiple purposes (for regulators and farmer feedback).
    • Support the industry to implement interoperable traceability systems.
    • Implement communication and education campaigns to strengthen awareness of agricultural traceability.
• Project timeline/duration:
  • Assessment of applications: March 2026.
  • Approval of outcomes: April 2026.
  • Notification to applicants: May 2026.
  • Negotiation and execution of grant agreements and the earliest start of activities: June 2026.
  • End date for grant payments: 30 June 2027.
  • End date for grant activities: 30 June 2028.​

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements. Key criteria include:

• Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be registered for GST.
• Have an account with an Australian financial institution in the organisation’s name.
• Be one of the following eligible entity types (or lead entity in a consortium):
  • Company incorporated in Australia or a company limited by guarantee.
  • Incorporated a trustee on behalf of a trust.
  • Incorporated association.
  • Partnership.
  • Corporate or non‑corporate Commonwealth entity or statutory authority.
  • Corporate or non‑corporate State or Territory entity or statutory authority.
  • Local government entity.
  • Not‑for‑profit organisation.
  • Publicly funded research organisation.
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

Ineligible applicants include individuals, unincorporated associations, overseas organisations and any organisation listed on the National Redress Scheme website as an institution that has not joined or signalled intent to join the Scheme, as well as any entity not specified as eligible in the guidelines. Applicants must also comply with any additional insurance, governance and probity requirements set out in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Round 4 supports collaborative traceability projects that directly contribute to the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy and the three priority areas for action. While applicants must refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for a definitive list, typical eligible activities are expected to include:

• Design, development, trialling and implementation of digital and data technologies that improve capture, management and sharing of traceability information across supply chains.
• Projects that align processes and technologies between supply chain participants and regulators, including integration or interoperability of existing systems.
• Implementation of interoperable traceability platforms, standards or protocols that can be scaled or replicated across agricultural sectors.
• Communication, education and extension activities that increase awareness, understanding and adoption of traceability practices among farmers, producers, processors and other stakeholders.
• Project management, collaboration, stakeholder engagement and data governance activities are required to deliver the funded traceability project (subject to guideline conditions on administrative costs).

Applicants should consult the official guidelines for detailed rules on eligible and ineligible expenditure categories (e.g. capital items, staffing, travel and overheads).

Assessment Process

The Traceability Grants Program – Round 4 is an open, competitive grant opportunity. All eligible applications will be assessed against the published assessment criteria and compared to other applications in the round.

Eligible applications are assessed by a Selection Advisory Panel comprising DAFF staff, agricultural sector experts and other relevant Commonwealth officers, who will rate and rank proposals against the criteria and recommend which projects should be funded. The final decision to award grants is made by a departmental delegate, taking into account panel recommendations, value for money considerations and the overall objectives of the program.

Assessment criteria (summarised from program materials and earlier rounds) typically address:

• Project merit and contribution to the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy and the three priority areas for action.
• Strategic alignment with sectoral and government priorities, including benefits to industry, regulators and export competitiveness.
• Feasibility, capability and risk management, including governance and partnerships.
• Value for money, including budget realism, co‑contributions and scalability or broader applicability across agricultural sectors.

Recent Program Updates

Round 4 represents a new funding round under the established Traceability Grants Program and continues the Australian Government’s commitment to modernising agricultural trade and strengthening traceability systems. This round provides $4 million (GST exclusive) in new grants across 2025–26 and 2026–27, with an estimated total program allocation of $4.4 million (GST inclusive) available through GrantConnect.

Key updates include the focus on three priority areas for action from the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy and a defined project completion date of 30 June 2028 for all funded activities. The opening of applications on 13 January 2026, with a closing date of 18 February 2026, provides a fixed window for applicants to prepare and submit competitive proposals.

Application Tips

• Review the Traceability Grants Program – Round 4 Grant Opportunity Guidelines and all associated documents on GrantConnect to confirm eligibility, project fit and compliance obligations before commencing an application.
• Confirm that the entity type, ABN, GST registration and governance arrangements meet the eligibility criteria and that any project partners are also compliant and not listed as ineligible institutions.
• Clearly articulate how the proposed project addresses the program objectives and targets at least one of the three specified priority areas for action, using explicit links to the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033.
• Present a realistic project plan, including timelines, milestones, risk management and partnership arrangements, demonstrating organisational capability to deliver the proposed outcomes by 30 June 2028.​
• Prepare a detailed and defensible budget that demonstrates value for money, notes any cash or in-kind co‑contributions and shows how project benefits can be scaled or replicated across other sectors or supply chains.​
• Ensure all required attachments, evidence, and supporting documents (including letters of support, partnership agreements and technical material) are complete and submitted with the application by email before the closing time.

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 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 Traceability Grants Program of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.