OFCP Round 3 · Western Australia

OFCP Round 3 for Western Australian farmers

Western Australian primary producers — from the vast Wheatbelt grain properties to Kimberley cattle stations and South West horticulture — are eligible for OFCP Round 3 grants of up to $100,000 for on-farm connectivity infrastructure.

Is OFCP Round 3 available in Western Australia?

Yes. OFCP Round 3 is a national program and Western Australian producers are eligible to apply. WA's geographic scale — it accounts for roughly a third of Australia's landmass — means connectivity challenges are among the most severe in the country, making it one of the states where OFCP Round 3 has the highest potential impact per dollar invested.

Up to $100,000 Maximum OFCP Round 3 grant available to eligible Western Australian primary producers

The WA Wheatbelt produces some of Australia's largest volumes of wheat, barley, oats, and canola from properties that span the zone between Northam and Esperance. The Pilbara and Kimberley are home to large-scale pastoral cattle stations operating across multi-million hectare areas. The South West supports intensive horticulture, wine grapes, and dairy. Each presents a distinct connectivity investment case for OFCP Round 3.

What connectivity challenges do WA farms face?

Western Australia's agricultural regions span an enormous area with terrestrial mobile and broadband coverage concentrated around Perth and regional centres. The Wheatbelt's eastern margins, the Goldfields agricultural zone, and the Pilbara and Kimberley pastoral regions often have no viable terrestrial connectivity. Low Earth Orbit satellite services have changed the cost and performance equation for remote WA properties significantly, and OFCP Round 3 supports installation of this class of equipment.

Kimberley and Pilbara Some WA cattle stations operate across areas larger than some European countries, with connectivity entirely dependent on satellite infrastructure

Even in the central Wheatbelt, where mobile coverage exists along major highways, farm operations that span multiple paddocks often encounter dead zones that prevent reliable data upload from in-field sensors and precision agriculture equipment. OFCP Round 3 can fund infrastructure to address these partial coverage gaps as well as total connectivity blackouts.

Which WA farming sectors are most suited to OFCP Round 3 projects?

  • Wheatbelt grain (wheat, barley, canola) — precision agriculture sensor networks, variable-rate application data systems, automated weather stations, yield mapping connectivity
  • Pilbara and Kimberley cattle stations — livestock GPS tracking across extensive areas, virtual fencing, remote water point level monitoring, mustering support technology
  • South West horticulture and wine grapes — vineyard microclimate sensors, automated irrigation data, frost monitoring networks
  • South Coast mixed farming (Albany, Esperance) — sheep and grain operations with integrated sensor requirements for both livestock and crop management
$10.2 million Total OFCP Round 3 national pool — WA producers compete with applicants from all other states and territories

Does the WA Government offer programs that complement OFCP Round 3?

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) operates programs targeting farm innovation, digital agriculture, and productivity. The WA Government's Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants and the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs in WA may offer complementary funding. Producers should confirm double-funding restrictions under OFCP before combining grant sources.

OFCP Round 3 WA — frequently asked questions

Can a WA pastoral leaseholder apply for OFCP Round 3?

Pastoral lease operations running commercial cattle or sheep enterprises in WA are eligible applicant types under OFCP Round 3. The program requires the funded infrastructure to support on-farm primary production management. Confirm with DAFF that the specific pastoral lease arrangement satisfies program tenure requirements.

Is a large Wheatbelt grain operation eligible for multiple OFCP grants?

OFCP Round 3 caps grants per applicant entity rather than per property. If a farming operation is structured across multiple legal entities (separate companies or trusts for separate farm businesses), each eligible entity may be able to apply independently. This is a complex area and should be confirmed with DAFF during the application process.

Does OFCP Round 3 cover the cost of a network repeater to extend connectivity across a large WA property?

Infrastructure that extends connectivity across a property — including radio repeaters, mesh network nodes, and similar equipment — may be eligible as part of a broader connectivity project. The equipment must serve farm management purposes rather than residential connectivity.

Can a WA producer use OFCP Round 3 funding to upgrade from an older satellite system to a modern LEO service?

Upgrading from geostationary satellite broadband to a Low Earth Orbit service is a recognised OFCP project type. The hardware costs associated with the new service — antenna, router, installation — are typically eligible expenditure. Confirm specific LEO provider eligibility against current program guidelines.

Are WA aquaculture or pearl farming operations eligible for OFCP Round 3?

Aquaculture is a recognised primary production activity. WA's abalone, salmon, and pearl farming industries may be eligible for OFCP Round 3 if the proposed project involves connectivity infrastructure supporting on-farm management. Environmental monitoring systems, automated feeding data, and biosecurity alerting infrastructure would be typical project components.

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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.