Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program

This program aims to help local communities deliver bushfire recovery for their local environment, and support broader long-term recovery and resilience. It forms part of the Australian Government’s $200 million investment in bushfire recovery for native plants, animals, ecological communities and natural assets.

The objectives of the program are to encourage recovery efforts in areas affected by the 2019-20 bushfires by:
- Supporting recovery of native flora and fauna.
- Involving local communities, community groups and Traditional Owners, in delivering bushfire recovery activities for native flora and fauna.

Grants between $5,000 and $150,000 (GST exclusive) are available. The grant amount will be up to 100% of eligible project expenditure. Contributions to their project or a third party are encouraged and may be cash or in-kind.

A total funding pool of $10 million over two years from 2020-21 to 2021-22.

Eligible applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following entities:
- An incorporated and not-for-profit organisation including but not limited to:
a) Community associations including community and environment groups
b) Non-distributing co-operatives
c) Companies limited by guarantee
- Traditional Owners, Indigenous Organisations or an Indigenous Enterprise.
- Incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community property, crown land, or other land managed on behalf of the public.
- A Regional Land Partnerships service provider acting as a project lead in a joint application to enable an individual, partnership or community group to undertake their project.
- A local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.

If applying as a not-for-profit organisation listed above, applicants should demonstrate their ‘not-for-profit’ status through one of the following:
- State or Territory incorporated association registration number or certificate of incorporation (e.g. clubs and other associations).
- Current Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission’s (ACNC) registration (e.g. for organisations registered as a charity constitutional documents that demonstrate the not for profit character of the organisation).
- Legislation that demonstrates the not for profit nature of the organisation.

Joint applications are acceptable, provided they have a lead organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects must:
- Be aimed at delivering activities that will directly benefit native flora and fauna impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires.
- Have at least $5,000 in eligible expenditure involve local communities and/or community organisations and/or Indigenous groups/Traditional Owners in engagement and/or delivery activities.
- Demonstrate consultation, coordination or cooperation with an appropriately qualified entity (e.g. State Government, Natural Resource Management Organisation) or person to ensure that the proposed project and activities are suitable for the location.
- Be completed by 1 April 2022.
- Be delivered within or adjacent to an area that has been affected by the 2019-20 bushfires in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia.

Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and may include at least one of the following:
- Provision of supplementary shelter, nest boxes and artificial hollows.
- On-ground bushfire recovery activities.
- Eradicating or reducing the impact of pest animals, for example cats, foxes, deer etc.
- Eradicating or reducing the impact of diseases.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible activities/expenditure/locations.

The main assessment criteria include:
- How their project will help the recovery of bushfire-affected native flora and fauna.
- Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Unincorporated association.
- A university (a publicly funded research organisation [PFRO]).
- A school.
- An individual.
- A partnership
- The provision of goods, services or support for activities not directly related to eligible grant activities.
- Costs for monitoring, modelling or research activities that are not part of an eligible project that includes on-ground activities.
- Costs for activities that are required to be carried out by law or by a private contractual obligation.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of restrictions.