Questions about the Program
1. What is the On Farm Connectivity Program?
2. Why is the department undertaking public consultation for Round 3 of the Program?
3. What will be the outcome of this consultation?
4. How can I find out if the equipment I sell will be eligible in Round 3?
5. I received a rebate in a previous round, am I eligible to apply for a rebate in Round 3?
6. Can I buy something now and claim it when Round 3 opens?
7. When will Round 3 be open for applications?
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 soughtto 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.
The consultation process was 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
- establish the connectivity solutions that are most needed by primary producers.
3. What will be the outcome of this consultation?
Feedback received 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.
4. How can I find out if the equipment I sell will be eligible in Round 3?
The department is unable to provide specific details about what will be included in the final list of approved equipment for Round 3, as this is dependent on the outcomes of the public consultation process,, Once finalised, the grant opportunity guidelines will be released later in 2025.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. When will Round 3 be open for applications?
Round 3 of the Program will open for applications later in 2025.