The Prawn Fishers Financial Guidance and Training Support Program NSW provides assistance to commercial fishing businesses in New South Wales. The initiative supports the industry's transition to the long-term management of white spot virus by offering financial guidance and training funding to aid strategic decision-making.
Program Details and Funding
• Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per business, including up to $1,000 for financial guidance and up to $9,000 for training.
• Program Status: Open.
• Application Period: Applications open on 4 February 2026 and close on 11 June 2026 at 4:00 pm (AEST).
• Administering Body: NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) – Fisheries & Forestry.
Program Objectives
• Primary Goal: Support commercial fishing business owners in transitioning to the long-term management of white spot virus and enable informed business decisions.
• Required Outcomes: Provide eligible businesses in the Clarence, Evans, and Richmond River areas access to financial guidance and training support.
• Scope of Initiatives: Funding for financial advisory services and accredited training programs.
Eligibility Criteria
• For Financial Guidance Grants (up to $1,000), applicants must:
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.
- Operate as an Australian-incorporated company, incorporated association or co-operative, partnership, or sole trader.
- Declare no known issues that could pose reputational or other risks to the NSW Government.
- Provide evidence of ownership of an eligible fishing business component (Estuary General Prawning – Region 1 or 2, or Estuary Prawn Trawl – Clarence River shares).
• For Training Grants (up to $9,000), applicants must:
- Meet all the above criteria.
- Note: Payment is contingent on the surrender of eligible fishing shares.
Eligible Project Costs
• Financial Guidance: Costs for services provided by suitably qualified advisors (e.g. Chartered Accountants) related to business transition planning.
• Training: Costs for enrolment in courses delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Application Process
• Required Documentation: Applications must include evidence confirming eligibility, including proof of ownership of the relevant fishing business components.
• Addressing Criteria: Applicants must confirm they meet all eligibility requirements within the application. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
• Submission Platform: Applications must be submitted via the SmartyGrants portal (registration required for new users).
• Funding Allocation: Funding is limited and applications are assessed in the order received.
Post-Application Procedure
• Decision Authority: Final decisions are made by the Director of Fisheries Management, Fisheries & Forestry.
• Assessment: Applications are assessed by the DPIRD Fisheries & Forestry Project Assessment Team against eligibility criteria.
• Notification: Applicants will be notified of outcomes as soon as possible after assessment.
• Claims: Approved applicants must submit valid tax invoices and proof of payment to claim reimbursement up to the approved grant amount.
Support and Contact Information
• Website: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/commercial
• Phone: 1300 726 488
• Email: commercialfisheries@dpird.nsw.gov.au
This program provides targeted financial and training support to eligible NSW commercial fishing businesses managing the impacts of white spot virus. Applicants should refer to the official guidelines for full eligibility requirements, application details, and claims procedures.