Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council (RFTAC)

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recently called for Expressions of Interest from NSW recreational fishing representatives and other individuals from relevant interest groups, who are interested in becoming a member of the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council.

Applications closed on 16 October 2025.

Background

The Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council (RFTAC) is being established to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture on priorities for expenditure from the Recreational Fishing Trusts (RFT). The new Council will review and assess RFT funding applications and provide expenditure advice to the Minister. The new Council is replacing the Recreational Fishing Freshwater and Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committees. All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Licence Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW. Each year, a wide range of projects receive funding from the Trusts.

Terms of Reference and Role of the Council

The proposed function of the RFTAC is to:

1. Review and assess grant funding applications from the Saltwater and Freshwater RFT Funds against relevant assessment and administrative criteria.
2. Provide funding recommendations to the Minister following assessment of funding applications.
3. Receive periodic updates from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) on status of external and DPIRD Trust projects.
4. Provide advice to the Minister on any other relevant RFT issues referred to it by the Minister or the Deputy Secretary Fisheries and Forestry.
5. Meet at least once per year with the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW) to confirm broad priority areas for RFT expenditure.

Composition of the Council

Membership

The new Advisory Council is proposed to consist of a Chair plus up to 13 members. The Minister may also appoint additional members if considered necessary. Up to seven members will be appointed that have expertise in saltwater or freshwater recreational fishing or both. An additional four members will bring specific expertise to the Advisory Council in finance and project management, probity and governance, infrastructure and construction projects, and fisheries science, in addition to having knowledge and experience in recreational fishing.

The Advisory Council will also include a nominee of the Secretary (a non-voting member) and a member of the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council.

The Minister will appoint an independent inaugural Chairperson of the new Council.

Terms of office

Terms of appointment for members will be for up to three years. Members are eligible for re-appointment if otherwise appropriately qualified.