On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the Program

1. What is the On Farm Connectivity Program?

The Australian Government's On Farm Connectivity Program (the Program) is providing $53 million across three rounds across 2023-24 to 2025-26 to enable primary producers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries to extend connectivity in their fields and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology.

Funded through the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, Rounds 1 and 2 sought to assist primary producers to increase connectivity, improve safety and drive more sustainable farming practice.

The objectives of the Program are to:

• extend digital connectivity to allow primary producers to take advantage of advanced farming technology
• enhance a Primary Producers’ capacity to implement digital agribusiness solutions through improved connectivity
• support access to new communications equipment by offsetting some of the cost.

2. Why is the department undertaking public consultation for Round 3 of the Program?

Consultation with industry and stakeholders on lessons learnt from Rounds 1 and 2 have pointed to a need to prioritise addressing connectivity gaps in order to support greater uptake of new and advanced connectivity solutions.

This Discussion Paper is intended to inform a proposed re-design of Round 3 in line with this goal and specifically aims to:

• provide interested stakeholders with an overview of the proposed approach for Round 3 of the Program and seek their views; and,
• establish the connectivity solutions that are most needed by primary producers.

3. I received a rebate in a previous round, am I eligible to apply for a rebate in Round 3?

Yes, primary producers who received a rebate in previous rounds can apply in Round 3 as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements, noting these may change for Round 3.

4. When will Round 3 be open for applications?

Round 3 of the Program will open for applications later in 2025.

5. Can I buy something now and claim it when Round 3 opens?

No. Any products purchased before the round opens, or before an application has been approved under the round, is not eligible for a rebate.

The department strongly suggests you do not purchase any equipment or connectivity solutions until your rebate application has been approved following opening of the round. Prior to this point, there is no guarantee your purchase will be eligible under the Program.

Questions about proposed changes to the Program

6. Why is the department making changes to the Program?

In light of the significant demand for Round 2 of the Program, grant guidelines and processes for Round 3 are being reviewed to ensure opportunities are maximised for primary producers across Australia to take advantage of connectivity solutions. This approach will address localised connectivity gaps acting as a key barrier to the uptake of technology.   

7. Round 2 was only open for a few days before the funding was exhausted, how will the department ensure this will not happen again in Round 3?

Proposed changes to the Program, such as removing the list of approved suppliers and restricting eligible equipment to those focussed on connectivity, are expected to result in a slower intake of applications received immediately on opening the round.

8. Why is the department proposing to only fund connectivity equipment?

The objective of the Program is to enable primary producers to extend connectivity in their fields to enable the uptake of connected machinery and sensor technology. In designing Round 3 of the Program, particularly in light of the significant interest in Round 2, we are proposing to focus removing barriers to connectivity to support greater uptake of new technology.

9. Why is the department proposing to remove suppliers from the application process?

The removal of the approved suppliers list will enable primary producers to purchase from any business with an Australian Business Number (ABN), expanding opportunities to leverage a variety of purchasing options to meet their connectivity requirements. 

Primary producers will have increased opportunity to identify the best connectivity solution, price, and availability to meet their requirements. Suppliers who participated in earlier rounds of the Program will still be able to market their products to primary producers provided eligibility requirements are met.

10. How does the department expect primary producers to complete online applications if they have either poor or no connectivity on their farms?

The department recognises the connectivity challenges experienced by primary producers, while understanding most have arrangements in place to undertake business online. The public consultation process allows for stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed design changes.  

11. In previous rounds the department approved packaging of equipment, why is the department proposing to remove this in Round 3?

In Rounds 1 and 2, certain packages were approved where some equipment qualified if paired with eligible items through the initial Expression of Interest process for Suppliers.

To ensure opportunities are maximised to take advantage of connectivity solutions, only clearly identifiable eligible items included in a package will be approved for payment, and not the whole package.

12. How is the department ensuring price caps on equipment are sufficient to cover the cost of the connectivity equipment?

In Round 3 it is proposed the department will set price caps on each type of equipment, informed by average unit prices over the preceding quarter. The rebates will be up to 50% of the price cap, as applicable against your purchase price. If the purchased equipment is higher than the price cap, you will still be able to purchase the product but would be required to pay the difference.  

13. In previous rounds primary producers only had to pay 50% of the cost of the equipment, why do they need to make the full payment in Round 3 before they claim their rebate?

In previous rounds suppliers, as applicants for the rebate, covered the full cost of the equipment receiving 50% of the purchase price from primary producers, and 50% rebate from the department on completion of the claim. The proposed removal of suppliers from the process means primary producers will now cover the full cost of the purchase, and receive the 50% rebate once the equipment is installed.

14. Why is the department proposing to cap installation costs at 15%?

In order to maintain an appropriate balance between the product cost and associated supply charges, it is proposed in Round 3 the costs for delivery and installation be capped at 15% of the total cost of the purchase price for the connectivity solution. This will ensure sufficient funding is directed to the connectivity products themselves.

15. What is geotagging, and why do I need to provide it?

Geotagging is the process of adding information to a photo or video which provides geographic coordinates as well as time stamps, dates or other information.

The department requests geotagging evidence of installation where a single piece of equipment or connectivity solution exceeds $10,000 as proof the equipment has been received and installed prior to finalising the claim for rebate payment.

You can find information about how to provide geotagged evidence on line depending on the device you are using:

iPhone: How to manage location metadata in Photos

Android phone: How to manage location data on an Android phone

16. What will be the outcome of this consultation?

Your feedback will help inform the design and grant opportunity guidelines for Round 3 of the Program. The next step will be the release of the grant opportunity guidelines and the opening of Round 3 later in 2025.

Questions about completing the Survey

17. How can I get access to the survey?

You can access the survey by clicking on the below link

OFCP Round 3 Survey

18. The survey link is not working, who can I contact for help?

If you are having difficulty accessing the survey, contact us at OFCP@infrastructure.gov.au and we will provide assistance.

19. Is the survey confidential?

The Privacy Disclaimer on the department’s Have Your Say page - On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 consultation applies to submissions made through this survey.

The survey is not intended to collect personal information. However, if identifying or personal information is provided in response to survey questions, it will not be made public.

20. What happens to the information I provide?

The Privacy Disclaimer on the department’s Have Your Say page - On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 consultation applies to submissions made through this survey.

The department may use your survey submission for the purpose of developing the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, and to inform consideration of issues associated with the On Farm Connectivity Program and other regional connectivity programs.

21. How can I provide my feedback if I am unable to complete the survey?

If you are unable to complete the survey you can provide written feedback by email to:  OFCP@infrastructure.gov.au

22. When will the survey close for input?

The survey opened on Thursday, 09:00 17 July 2025 and will close on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 17:00