Farm Connectivity · Grants Overview

Farm connectivity grants for Australian producers

Australian farmers can access grant funding for on-farm connectivity infrastructure through OFCP Round 3 — a $10.2 million federal program providing up to $100,000 per eligible primary producer for satellite broadband, IoT sensors, livestock tracking, and related digital infrastructure.

What farm connectivity grants are available in Australia?

The primary federal grant program for on-farm connectivity infrastructure in Australia is the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP), currently in its third round. Administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), OFCP Round 3 provides grants for the physical hardware and installation that improves digital connectivity on working farms.

$10.2 million Total funding pool for OFCP Round 3 — the primary federal grant program for farm connectivity infrastructure in Australia

State agricultural departments also operate programs that can complement connectivity grants. While state programs are more variable in timing and scope, they sometimes include digital agriculture components that overlap with OFCP objectives. Producers should assess both federal and state grant landscapes when planning a connectivity infrastructure project.

What is on-farm connectivity infrastructure?

On-farm connectivity infrastructure is the physical technology that enables farms to collect, transmit, and receive data in real time. This includes:

  • Satellite broadband systems — Low Earth Orbit and geostationary satellite internet equipment providing backbone connectivity for remote farms
  • IoT sensor networks — soil moisture sensors, weather stations, water point monitors, and environmental sensors transmitting data to farm management platforms
  • Livestock tracking hardware — GPS collars, ear tags, and virtual fencing systems enabling real-time animal location and management
  • Fixed wireless broadband — antenna systems providing connectivity from regional towers to farm properties
  • In-field data hubs — gateway devices that aggregate sensor data from across a property and transmit it to cloud platforms
Up to $100,000 Maximum OFCP Round 3 grant per eligible primary producer — hardware and installation both qualify as eligible expenditure

Who is eligible for farm connectivity grants?

OFCP Round 3 is open to Australian primary producers who operate commercial farming enterprises. Eligible entity types include individuals, partnerships, companies, and trusts. All major primary production types are eligible — grain and cropping, livestock and grazing, horticulture, viticulture, dairy, aquaculture, and mixed farming. The full eligibility guide is available at OFCP Round 3 eligibility.

Farm connectivity grants by state

OFCP Round 3 is a national program but connectivity challenges and agricultural systems vary by state. The following pages cover OFCP and other connectivity grant information for each state:

OFCP Round 3 NSWNew South Wales
OFCP Round 3 VICVictoria
OFCP Round 3 QLDQueensland
OFCP Round 3 SASouth Australia
OFCP Round 3 WAWestern Australia
OFCP Round 3 TASTasmania

Farm connectivity grants by farm type

Connectivity needs and eligible project designs differ by farming system. The following pages cover OFCP Round 3 and connectivity grants for specific farm types:

How to apply for a farm connectivity grant

The application process for OFCP Round 3 involves identifying the connectivity problem on the farm, designing a project that addresses it using eligible infrastructure, obtaining supplier quotes, and submitting an application during the open application window. Key success factors for farm connectivity grant applications include:

  • A clear, specific description of the operational problem that lack of connectivity creates
  • A defined project with equipment categories, quantities, and supplier quotes
  • Documentation of primary production activity (ABN, income evidence)
  • A farm plan or map showing proposed infrastructure placement
  • Evidence of co-contribution capacity to meet the program's matching requirement
Project-first thinking The strongest grant applications start from an operational problem, not from a grant opportunity — producers who know what they need and why tend to write more convincing applications

Farm connectivity grants — frequently asked questions

Is OFCP Round 3 the only farm connectivity grant available in Australia?

OFCP Round 3 is the primary federal grant program specifically for on-farm connectivity infrastructure. State programs occasionally include connectivity components but vary significantly by state, timing, and scope. The Mobile Black Spot Program funds carrier infrastructure rather than individual farm connections. Regional infrastructure programs have sometimes funded connectivity in specific areas as part of broader investment.

Can a farm connectivity grant be used for a home internet upgrade?

No. OFCP Round 3 specifically targets on-farm agricultural management connectivity. Satellite broadband funded through OFCP must be primarily for farm operations — livestock management, precision agriculture, irrigation control, and similar uses. Household internet access is not an eligible primary purpose, though a farm management connectivity system may also provide incidental household connectivity.

Is there a grant for farms to connect to 5G networks?

5G coverage in rural Australia remains limited. Where 5G is available, the cost of connecting a farm to it may be lower than satellite. OFCP Round 3 does not specify connectivity technology — the program funds infrastructure that improves on-farm connectivity regardless of whether the technology is 5G, 4G, satellite, fixed wireless, or a combination. The connectivity must be primarily for agricultural management purposes.

How long does it take to receive an OFCP Round 3 grant payment?

OFCP Round 3 grant payments follow a defined process: application submission, assessment, funding offer, acceptance, project delivery, and milestone-based payment. Total time from application submission to payment receipt has historically been several months to over a year depending on application volume and project complexity. Producers should plan cash flow accordingly rather than relying on grant receipts to fund project delivery.

Can a farm that received an OFCP Round 1 or Round 2 grant apply again in Round 3?

Previous OFCP grant recipients may be eligible for Round 3 if the new project involves different or additional connectivity infrastructure rather than simply replacing what was previously funded. Confirm eligibility for repeat applicants against current OFCP Round 3 guidelines on the DAFF website.

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Important: This page contains general information only and is not financial product advice, legal advice, tax advice, or a recommendation that any grant, rebate, loan, or program is suitable for you. SmartFarm Finance has not considered your objectives, financial situation, needs, business circumstances, or eligibility. Program details, funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and deadlines may change, and information may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date. Always verify details with the relevant official government or provider source before acting or applying, and seek independent professional advice relevant to your circumstances. To the maximum extent permitted by law, SmartFarm Finance disclaims liability for loss arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.