National Water Grid Authority

Applications must meet the criteria set out in the National Water Grid Investment Framework as well as other NSW considerations.

The proponent must demonstrate how the project will provide long-term benefit to water security, the agriculture and primary industry sectors, support regional economic development and/or build water supply resilience. For more information on the criteria, read the National Water Grid Investment Framework.

Proponents may be eligible to apply for funding to:

• conduct feasibility/research studies under the Science Program:  potential funding will be up to 50 per cent or more where there is a demonstrated need
• develop a preliminary business case: potential funding will be up to 50 per cent
• develop a detailed business case: potential funding will be up to 50 per cent
• undertake construction work: potential funding will be up to 50 per cent of the project’s total capital costs for delivery. A detailed business case is required to support construction proposals.

Examples of the types of current projects eligible for funding include:

• recycling plants
• groundwater storage
• dams
• weirs
• pipelines
• desalination plants
• irrigation district modernisation or expansion
• other projects facilitating the movement of water (bores, water treatment systems).

Projects currently not considered for funding include:

• on-farm initiatives
• urban water storage and distribution systems (without a benefit to primary industry or regional development)
• maintenance or refurbishment projects without a benefit element
• projects supplying water for the exclusive use of a private business or individual.

Funded projects can be delivered in partnership with the Australian Government, a state or territory government, and one of the following:

• local councils/authorities
• irrigation organisations (defined as a person or body with irrigation entitlement for commercial agricultural production)
• First Nations organisations
• Australia's leading science agencies
• private corporations, where the project has multiple beneficiaries.

The NSW Government will act as the applicant on behalf of proponents. The NSW Government can also put forward its own project submissions, which are subject to the same review and assessment processes.

The department's Water Group will evaluate expressions of interest for eligibility and will work with shortlisted applicants to help develop funding proposals for consideration by the NSW and Australian Government. This support may range from expert advice and coordination, through to on-ground support with application development and management of projects.

The Australian Government adheres to a stringent independent internal process as outlined in the National Water Grid Investment Framework across the lifecycle of funding applications from eligibility assessment, investment decision, application development and project review.

If the application is successful, we will work with proponents to develop the funding agreement with the Australian Government and set up project level governance.

The NSW Government makes open calls for project proposals from eligible organisations in advance of the National Water Grid Authority’s funding rounds.  Expressions of interest for the June 2024 funding round are open until 13 May 2024.

The Water Group will assess the submitted expressions of interest for eligibility, identify those best meeting the funding criteria, and will work with shortlisted organisations to help develop funding proposals for consideration by the Australian Government.

See the National Water Grid applications page for more information.