National Water Grid Fund

The Water Group in the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is responsible for bringing forward NSW project proposals to the NWGF. If funded, the Water Group is the project proponent and is responsible for the project’s overall delivery, including all reporting obligations.
 

To identify opportunities or needs for new or additional water infrastructure in NSW, the Water Group has previously run an open expression of interest process inviting councils in regional and remote NSW and other eligible organisations to put forward project proposals. The Water Group has then assessed the submitted expressions of interest for eligibility, identified those best meeting the funding criteria and worked with shortlisted organisations to help develop funding applications for consideration by the Australian Government.

Please note, the NSW Government is postponing the expressions of interest (EOI) process to identify eligible projects for the Australian Government’s National Water Grid 2026 funding round. 
 

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

Proponents must demonstrate how projects will provide long-term benefits to water security, the agriculture and primary industry sectors, regional economic development and/or water supply resilience.

Proponents may be eligible to apply for funding to:

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

Examples of eligible projects include:

• water treatment plants, water recycling plants and desalination plants
• groundwater storage
• managed aquifer recharge
• surface water storage, such as dams and weirs
• irrigation district modernisation or expansion
• pipelines and other projects that facilitate the movement of water.

Under the NWGF’s First Nations Water Infrastructure Program, the following projects for First Nations communities are also eligible:

• upgrading networks
• fixing leaking pipes
• building and equipping bores
• installing water treatment systems.

Examples of ineligible projects include:

• on-farm initiatives (opportunities exist under other funding programs)
• 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.

Organisations eligible for NWGF funding include:

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