Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants 2026-27 Program Guidelines

What is the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program?

Agricultural and Pastoral Societies contribute significantly to Victoria’s vibrant culture and social well-being by promoting the agricultural sector to rural and city communities.

The Victorian Government provides funding to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to support infrastructure development and show delivery to celebrate Victoria’s agricultural communities, industries and produce.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants (Program) are administered by Agriculture Victoria, which is part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) (the Department).

The Program aims to support Agricultural and Pastoral Societies (Societies) by providing funding to stimulate community involvement across Victoria in activities that promote agriculture. The Program aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• greater community engagement in agricultural activities that bring people together and celebrate Victoria’s agricultural heritage
• stimulate local economies by attracting visitors, creating tourism opportunities, and providing a platform for local businesses and producers
• improved infrastructure and accessibility by enabling upgrades to facilities, public amenities and essential services for community use during annual agricultural shows and events
• enhanced biosecurity and animal welfare to protect livestock health and meet modern biosecurity standards
• build resilience and wellbeing by creating spaces for social connection, reducing isolation in regional communities and supporting mental health
• maintain momentum, relevance and safety on key agricultural activities, including agricultural workforce and education
• improve First Nations cultural awareness and safety at shows.

Program dates and the application process

Please ensure you read these Program guidelines thoroughly. Queries may be directed to the program team at agricultural.grants@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Applications open
9 am Friday 31 July 2026

Applications close
5 pm Friday 11 September 2026

Applications must be submitted online using the Grants Online portal.

To apply, visit the grant program web page for more details.

The online application format allows applications to be saved and completed later. It is recommended that applicants start the process early to allow enough time to obtain necessary supporting documents. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Make sure your application is submitted by the closing date. No hard copy applications will be accepted.

Who can apply?

The following organisations can apply for funding:

• a company incorporated pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001 and registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission; or
• an incorporated association incorporated pursuant to the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012; or
• another incorporated entity approved by the Department,

AND must satisfy one of the following:

• be a not-for-profit entity and operate for a purpose related to agriculture, horticulture or pastoral outcomes and/or fostering community involvement in these areas including, for example, by holding regional field days. Entities may include incorporated associations which are Victorian Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Societies; or
• be a peak body involved in providing support to other entities in the area of pastoral activities, agriculture or horticulture including for example Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd; or
• be a registered member of Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd.

Who cannot apply?

The following entities are ineligible to apply:

• Agricultural and Pastoral Societies that have not fully completed and acquitted projects under the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants 2025-26 program or previous rounds
• government agencies
• local government authorities
• individuals
• unincorporated entities
• entities carrying on a commercial business
• entities currently in breach of funding agreements with the State of Victoria, unless the Department decides otherwise, in its sole and absolute discretion, due to the existence of exceptional circumstances.

What might be funded?

The grant may support projects that have an emphasis on upgrading or establishing new facilities for community use during annual agricultural shows and events.

Projects that will be considered may include initiatives that:

• provide new, or improved or upgraded facilities for exhibitions, competitions and displays, such as upgrading fencing and stables, or areas used for shearing demonstrations and wool exhibits and/or judging of commercial and stud animals
• enhance public amenities at showgrounds such as toilets, seating, and disabled access or projects that enable safe movement of visitors, improve accessibility and reduce traffic congestion
• improve essential infrastructure for electricity and water supply
• enhance biosecurity planning such as a written biosecurity plan, signage, or improved facilities to create separate housing of different species of animals for biosecurity purposes
• create spaces for social connection, education and youth engagement opportunities
• recognise and celebrate First Nations culture such as Acknowledgement of Country signage and construction of dedicated First Nations art and performance spaces.

What will not be funded?

Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• repairs caused by the neglect of facilities or for routine maintenance work on facilities and equipment
• the purchase, lease or acquisition of land
• activities that have already started; funding will not be provided for retrospective projects/activities that occurred prior to the execution of a funding agreement
• activities located outside the State of Victoria
• print costs of promotional flyers for a show or event, for example posters, tickets and show books
• the hire of vehicles and fuel to transport goods unless transport costs are included in contractor quotes
• any vehicles (including trailers, forklifts, tractors and lawn mowers)
• one time use items, such as toilet paper, paper towels and disposable cutlery
• cost associated with one off events, including catering
• portable assets (including portable trestle tables, stackable or single chairs, laptops, printers and other computer hardware)
• portable toilets, that require waste management services
• items without a quote or rationale as to why no quote can be provided.

What are the funding details?

Applications for funding will be accepted for up to $10,000 (GST exclusive). Applicants must submit one application per Agricultural and Pastoral Society. The application may include multiple projects. Grant funds may be used to fund up to 75% of eligible total project costs.

Recipients will be required to contribute 25% of the total project cost. All or part of this co-contribution may be provided in-kind.

In-kind contributions may include donated labour and/or equipment usage, valued at no more than $30 per hour. In their application, applicants should estimate the labour costs i.e. the hours and number of people involved and/or equipment that may be required.

For example:

• Labour: 2 people x 10 hours @ $30 per hour = $600
• Front end loader: 6 hours @ $30 per hour = $180

If in-kind support is included in the grant application, a summary list of volunteers and time/equipment is required.
Applicants will be responsible for any cost overruns for a project.

Note: It is expected that there will be a high level of demand for funding under this Program. Applicants must not assume they will be successful or enter into commitments based on that assumption before receiving formal notification of their application outcome.

Tax and GST Implications

The Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants are GST exclusive.

If Applicants are registered for GST, the application amount stated as the total project cost should be the ^*GST exclusive amount i.e. the Society can claim an input tax credit in respect of the GST that is paid.

If Applicants are not registered for GST, the application amount stated as the total project cost should ^**include GST as shown in the examples below.

* total project cost stated in the application should be GST exclusive if a Society is registered for GST.
** total project cost stated in the application should be GST inclusive if a Society is not registered for GST.

Applicants should consult the Australian Taxation Office or seek professional advice on any taxation implications that may arise from this grant funding.

What supporting documents will need to be provided?

Applicants will be required to submit:

• Quotes from suppliers for the proposed project which include a description of the work and all material and construction costs. Suppliers must be registered business entities.
• Detailed plans and specifications, including a description of any required council permits. All works must be completed in accordance with Victoria’s WorkSafe regulations.

Attaching required documents:

• Supporting documents must be in an acceptable file type, such as Word, Excel, PDF, or JPEG. The maximum file size for each file is 10MB.
• You will receive an application number when you submit an application online. Please quote this number in all communications with the Department relating to your application.
• If you have documents to submit that cannot be attached to your online application you can email them to agricultural.grants@agriculture.vic.gov.au, quoting your application number. Attach all documents to one email, zipping the files if required.

What is the assessment process?

After that, eligible applications will be assessed on merit using the criteria listed below.

• Applications must demonstrate the project supports activities that promote Victoria’s agricultural communities, industry and produce.
• Applications must demonstrate the project is well planned, with realistic goals and timelines.
• Applications must demonstrate cost efficiency, with overall return on investment, after Societies’ in-kind and or cash co-contributions are made. In-kind contributions should reflect reasonable costs for goods and services.
• Applications must demonstrate the project will positively impact the local community providing broad, sustainable, long-term benefits.

All supplementary attachments and information provided as part of the application will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.

If the program is oversubscribed, partial funding may be approved for successful applicants. Applications may also be prioritised for funding if they:

• provide a broader community benefit and critical need
• have not received funding in the last two years.

What is the notification process?

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application within 3 months from the closing date.

All decisions are final and are not subject to further review. Unsuccessful applicants can ask for feedback on their application.

What are the funding conditions?

Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The Victorian Common Funding Agreement is used for funding agreements with not-for-profit organisation and Local Government Authorities.

It is recommended that applicants review the terms and conditions before applying. Visit the Victorian Common Funding Agreement web page for more information.

Recipients must attest to having obtained all relevant permits and approvals for the project to commence (where applicable).

The project must be concluded within 6 months of the signing of the Grant Agreement by all parties.

The activity does not include using the Funding for political campaigning or advocacy activities for political parties.

Monitoring

Grant recipients are required to comply with project monitoring and reporting requirements as outlined in the funding agreement. This may include completion reports and acquittal documentation.

Payments

A payment of 75% of the grant amount will be made upon receipt of the executed funding agreement. The final 25% of the grant money will be paid on successful completion of the project including submission of the following:

• a completion report as per template provided by the Department, including details of any in-kind support calculated at $30 per hour for labour and equipment
• paid supplier/contractor tax invoices/receipts for all contracted work, addressed to the respective successful applicant
• paid tax invoices/receipts for any items purchased toward the project
• photographs showing the completed project
• a statutory declaration.

Payment of grant instalments is made via electronic funds transfer to a nominated bank account and may take up to 4 weeks to process.

Legislative and regulatory requirements

In delivering the activity grant recipients are required to comply with all relevant Commonwealth and state/territory legislations and regulations, including but not limited to:

• The Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth)
• The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Public liability insurance, working with children check and work health safety

The applicant must have current public liability insurance appropriate to the activity outlined in the grant application.

If the applicant proposes a project that involves working with or providing services to children, the applicant must make the Department aware of this in their application.

The applicant needs to ensure that a safe system of work is in place for the project that protects the work, health and safety of the group, volunteers, and others on the work site. Work, health, safety information can be found at WorkSafe Victoria.

Applicants to place emphasis on all work, health and safety requirements being met with strict adherence to current WorkSafe guidelines.

Privacy

Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected by the department for the purposes of administering your grant application and informing Members of Parliament of successful applications. Personal information may also be disclosed to external experts, such as members of assessment panels, or other Government Departments for assessment, reporting, advice, comment or for discussions regarding alternative or collaborative grant funding opportunities. If you intend to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure that they are aware of the contents of this privacy statement.

Any personal information about you or a third party in your correspondence will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and other applicable laws.

The Department is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. View the Department’s Privacy Policy.

Requests for access to information about you held by the Department should be sent to the Manager Privacy, P.O. Box 500 East Melbourne 8002 or contact by emailing Foi.unit@decca.vic.gov.au.

Acknowledgement

Successful applicants are expected to acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support and promotional guidelines will form part of the funding agreement. Successful applicants must liaise with the departmental program area to coordinate any public events or announcements related to the project.

Absolute discretion

The Department’s decisions on all matters pertaining to the award of grant funding under this Program is at the Department’s absolute discretion. This includes approving a lesser amount than that applied for.

The Department reserves the right to request the applicant provide further information should it be deemed necessary. The Department reserves the right to amend these guidelines and the application terms at any time as it deems appropriate in its absolute discretion.

The Department makes no representation that a grant of funds will be made to any applicant and reserves the right to make no funds available under the Program.

All costs in connection with this application are the responsibility of the applicant.

The Department may at any time, remove an applicant from the application and assessment process, if in the Department’s opinion association with the applicant may bring the Department a Minister or the State of Victoria in disrepute.

Further information

Additional information about the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grant 2026-27 Program and/or assistance with the grant application and/or advice on how to apply online, please contact the grants administrator via email agricultural.grants@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

If you require assistance submitting your application online, email grantsinfo@deeca.vic.gov.au.