Apply for funds
Recreational Fishing Trusts grants and Recreational Fishing Small Infrastructure grants
The same funding guidelines and application forms apply to both funding programs.
Applications closed on 18 December 2024.
Who can apply?
Fishing clubs, fishing organisations, relevant community organisations, schools, universities, councils, etc.
Who can assist you?
All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Recreational Fishing Trust Grant Assistance hotline prior to preparing an application. Assistance can be provided to discuss your proposal and with completing your application to ensure applications are consistent with priorities for funding.
Call (02) 4424 7428 or
Email recreational.fishingtrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au
When do the grants close?
Applications closed on 18 December 2024.
What types of projects are funded?
- Recreational fishing small infrastructure - fishing amenities such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables, kayak launching platforms, fishing access tracks, fishing safety infrastructure, fishing line bins and other angler facilities
- Recreational fishing large infrastructure
- Improving fishing access - providing more fishing locations, protection of fishing access
- Recreational fishing education and participation - recreational fishing workshops and training sessions, community fishing events, Fishcare volunteers, schools education, providing fishing information to fishers
- Research on fish and recreational fishing - fishing surveys, biology of popular recreational species, angler catch projects, effectiveness of stocking practices
- Aquatic habitat rehabilitation and protection - aquatic habitat protection, improving aquatic habitat for recreational fishing benefit, community grants to remove barriers to fish migration, replanting & protecting riverbank vegetation, restoring water flows, etc.
- Recreational fishing enhancement - fish aggregating devices, artificial reefs, fish stocking
- Fishing for mental health and well-being - promoting the health and well-being benefits of recreational fishing, fishing for therapy initiatives
- Enforcement of fishing rules - DPIRD Fisheries officers
General instructions
There are different funding application forms to choose from when applying for funding:
- Small projects - seeking less than $10,000 of funding
- Large projects - seeking more than $10,000 of funding
Applications can be submitted online or downloaded electronically below prior to the closing date.
Funding guidelines
Applicants must read the funding guidelines before completing an application form. The funding guidelines contain essential information including eligibility and assessment criteria required for developing applications.
How to apply
You can apply using the new online application form prior to the closing date.
Alternatively, both application forms can be downloaded below and submitted by email.
- Recreational Fishing Trusts funding application form SMALL projects UNDER $10,000 (DOCX, 330.24 KB)
- Recreational Fishing Trusts funding application form LARGE projects OVER $10,000 (DOCX, 333.94 KB)
Application forms can be submitted by:
Email: recreational.fishingtrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Or
Mail:
Recreational Fishing Trusts Management Team
NSW DPIRD
LMB 3020
NOWRA NSW 2541
Further information
Recreational fishing small infrastructure grants
$2 million is available for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for projects such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables, kayak launching platforms, fishing access tracks, fishing safety infrastructure, solar lighting above fishing infrastructure and other public fishing facilities. Applications for grants of up to $200,000 are available. Applicants are required to submit the same application form as for all Recreational Fishing Trust grant applications.
Fish cleaning stations
Standard plans with a number of design options are available here. Any lighting should be solar powered unless a power supply is readily available.
Fishing platforms
There are no standardised plans for fishing platforms as their design is very dependent on site specific factors. A summary of design principles and guidelines for accessible recreational fishing platforms is available here.
Advice and assistance on fishing infrastructure design
Call the Grants Assistance Hotline on (02) 4424 7428.
Habitat rehabilitation projects
Recreational Fishing Trust grant funding for projects that restore, rehabilitate and protect fish habitat is available through the DPIRD Habitat Action Grants Program and requires a different funding application form. Aquatic habitat rehabilitation project proposals should be discussed initially with the Habitat Action Grants Program.
For further information on habitat projects please contact the Habitat Action Grants Program coordinator on fish.habitat@dpird.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 6763 1206.
Fish stocking projects
Recreational Fishing Trust funding for community projects for re-stocking rivers or impoundments with freshwater native fish is available through the DPIRD Community Native Fish Stocking Grants Program (formerly Two Dollars for One Dollar Native Fish Stocking Program) and requires a different application form. An Expression of Interest for this separate funding program is released annually in February each year. For further information please email fish.stocking@dpird.nsw.gov.au or phone 0476 240 378.
