Western Australian sheep producers, including those in the agritourism sector, now have access to a significant pool of funding to invest in on-farm infrastructure and processing capabilities. The state and federal governments have opened the first round of the $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program, designed to help the industry adjust to the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea.
Details of the Grant Funding Available
This program is a critical component of the broader $139.7 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package. It aims to directly increase onshore processing and finishing capacity, thereby strengthening the domestic supply chain. The funding will be distributed through two competitive grant rounds of $20 million each.
Crucially for WAAA members, the program offers two distinct streams:
1. For producers: Grants of up to $2 million are available for capital works related to on-farm finishing systems, such as finishing and feedlotting developments.
2. For processors: Grants of up to $5 million are available to enhance processing capacity, efficiency, and productivity. The announcement specifically encourages smaller-scale abattoirs to apply.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate matching co-contributions. The deadline for the first round of applications is 5pm, 22 October 2025.
Strategic Opportunity for Farm Diversification
This funding represents a major strategic opportunity for sheep-focused agritourism businesses. The grants for on-farm infrastructure could enable operators to develop new systems that not only prepare stock for onshore processing but also create new visitor experiences. This could include developing infrastructure for educational tours on livestock finishing or creating a direct-to-consumer, value-added meat product that enhances a farm-to-table dining or retail offering.
WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis stated that the program is designed to build confidence and capture future opportunities.
“The program will incentivise investment in on-farm and processing supply chain capital infrastructure, to build confidence in the sheep industry and capture future opportunities,” the Minister said.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins, added that the goal is to help the industry capitalise on consumer demand.
“The funding opening today will mean the industry can capitalise on consumer demand in Australia and overseas for high-quality and ethically produced food and fibre,” Ms Collins stated.
For sheep producers looking to diversify their operations and build resilience, this grant program provides a direct and substantial financial pathway to invest in the future of their business, both in agricultural production and tourism potential.
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