NSW Sustainable Communities Program Business and Industry Round

The ‘Business and Industry Round’ of the NSW Sustainable Communities Program supports projects that encourage business growth, workforce participation and economic development in NSW Basin communities vulnerable to the impacts of the Australian Government’s Voluntary Water Purchase Program.

This includes opportunities that:

• Sustain and strengthen local businesses, including retaining and creating jobs;
• Increase local economic activity through innovation, skills development, productivity improvements, business growth and asset activation;
• Support existing businesses and industry to value-add or diversify their product offerings; or
• Enable the development of new and emerging industries and associated employment opportunities.

Grants of $100,000 to $5 million are available from a total pool of $50 million.

Grant recipients must provide a cash co-contribution as follows:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations: Nil, but strongly encouraged;
• Local government organisations, universities and not-for-profits: Minimum 25% of total project cost;
• Businesses and all other applicants: Minimum 50% of total project cost.

Intended grant recipients include:

• Business and industry;
• Local councils or joint organisations of councils;
• Aboriginal organisations, including Local Aboriginal Land Councils;
• Universities and not-for-profit entities.

Projects must be located in one of the following NSW Basin Local Government Areas: Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera and Wentworth.

Applications close 3 August 2026.