Grants of up to $100,000 to support commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders significantly impacted by the current algal bloom event along South Australia’s coastline.
On this page you will find
What is the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant (ABFAAG)?
The Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant (ABFAAG) is part of a joint South Australian and Commonwealth Government initiative to support commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders significantly impacted by the current algal bloom event along South Australia’s coastline.
The program offers one-off financial assistance of up to $100,000 to eligible licence holders who:
- Have been unable to catch and/or harvest their typical volume of marine species, or
- Have been unable to operate due to extended harvest closures directed by PIRSA (Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia).
The Department of State Development (DSD), in collaboration with the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF), will administer the program. The funding is designed to help affected businesses meet essential fixed costs and remain viable beyond the event.
Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant level of support
The ABFAAG program provides tiered financial assistance with no co-contribution required.
Tier 1 (Initial Grant) – Base Payment
- $25,000
- Available where the applicant demonstrates:
- A harvest area closure for more than one month due to PIRSA direction for elevated brevetoxin levels; or
- A 50% or greater decline in catch/harvest in any consecutive three-month period from 1 April 2025 to 31 July 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year.
Tier 2 (Secondary Grant) – Additional Payment
- Up to $75,000, depending on 2023–24 business turnover, in addition to Tier 1 eligibility.
- Requires evidence of a 50% or greater decline in business turnover in the same period comparison.
Tier 2 Scale:
- $25,000 – turnover above $300,000.
- $50,000 – turnover above $500,000.
- $75,000 – turnover above $700,000.
Example:
A licence holder with a turnover of $330,000 meeting all requirements would receive $25,000 (Tier 1) + $25,000 (Tier 2) = $50,000 total.
Funding Amount
- Minimum: $25,000 (Tier 1 only)
- Maximum: $100,000 (Tier 1 + Tier 2 combined)
Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant important dates
- Applications close: 12 September 2025
- Tier 1 payments: Within 15 days of application approval and grant agreement execution.
- Tier 2 payments: Within 15 days of eligibility confirmation.
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant objectives
The ABFAAG program aims to:
- Provide rapid, targeted financial assistance to licence holders whose operations have been disrupted by PIRSA-imposed harvest restrictions or significant reductions in catch/harvest.
- Support affected businesses in meeting unavoidable fixed costs during downtime.
- Assist the sector in maintaining operational continuity and resilience beyond the algal bloom event.
Activities and expenditure eligible for Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant support
Eligible uses:
Funding can be used for fixed costs and overheads, including:
- Utilities – electricity, water, gas, and other essential service bills required to maintain business premises and operations.
- Rent or lease payments – for business premises, including wharf, processing, or storage facilities.
- Finance and loan repayments – including repayments on business-related loans and equipment finance arrangements.
- Interest payments – on business loans or lines of credit.
These costs must be incurred while the business is unable to operate due to PIRSA-imposed harvest restrictions or where there has been a 50% or greater reduction in catch/harvest as a direct result of the algal bloom event.
Ineligible uses:
Funding cannot be used for:
- Costs already covered under another South Australian Government algal bloom assistance scheme.
- Expenses that are recoverable under a general business insurance policy or an income protection policy.
- Activities or purchases not directly linked to sustaining the business during the period of impact.
- Covering the entirety of a business’s operational costs — the grant is intended as partialsupport only.
Other Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant support
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a legal entity in Australia (sole trader, company, partnership, or trust).
- Hold a valid South Australian commercial fisheries or aquaculture licence as at 28 July 2025.
- Have had an active ABN since 1 January 2025.
- Be GST-registered as at 29 July 2025.
- Have a minimum turnover of $100,000 in either 2023–24 or 2024–25.
- Have grouped payroll ≤ $10 million in 2024–25.
- Derive at least 75% of turnover from commercial activities under the licence(s).
- Meet Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 decline requirements.
Excluded entities:
- Public companies (except unlisted public companies)
- Tax-exempt entities (except registered charities)
- Local Government bodies and associations
- Industry associations
- State or Federal Government agencies
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the ability to demonstrate:
- Eligibility Compliance – Entity status, licence holding, ABN and GST registration, turnover thresholds, and payroll limits.
- Impact Evidence –
- Verified catch/harvest data showing ≥ 50% decline for relevant period.
- Verified turnover data showing ≥ 50% decline for relevant period (for Tier 2).
- Event Causation – Clear link between the decline or closure and the algal bloom event.
- Business Continuity – Signed statement of ability and intent to continue operations beyond the event.
- No Double-Dipping – Confirmation no other State algal bloom assistance or insurance payout covers the same costs.
All supporting documentation will be cross-verified with PIRSA, the Australian Taxation Office, and Revenue SA.
How do I get the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines – Review all sections of the official program guidelines to ensure you are aware of the objectives, eligibility requirements, and assessment process.
- Confirm eligibility – Only applicants who meet all eligibility criteria will be considered. This includes holding a valid South Australian commercial fisheries or aquaculture licence, meeting turnover and payroll thresholds, and demonstrating the required catch/harvest or turnover decline.
- Plan to deliver the project or activities as outlined – The funding is to support your business continuity as described in your application, so ensure your intended use of funds aligns with eligible expenditure.
- Prepare complete and accurate information – All required documentation must be provided in full and be verifiable. Missing or incomplete details may result in your application being deemed ineligible.
Information to prepare for the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant application
Applicants should gather:
- Copy of lodged business activity statements (BAS) downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) portal for the relevant periods (including comparative period), as per eligibility criteria. Where this is not available:
-
- copies of income statements/financials validated by a registered tax agent for the relevant period and the comparative period in the previous year.
- copy of lodged tax return(s) downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) portal, or copies of income statements/financials validated by a registered tax agent, showing business turnover for the relevant year per eligibility criteria.
- copies of income statements/financials validated a copy of the business’ bank statement, which must show the bank name and logo, business’ bank account name(s), BSB and account number.
- Catch/harvest returns for the relevant period for which a decline is demonstrated, as well as the comparative period.
- a Certificate of Currency for any general business insurance policy and income protection policy.
- a signed statement declaring an ability and intent to continue to operate as a going concern i.e. beyond the Algal Bloom event.
You may be required to provide additional or alternative evidence based on your unique business situation, or as requested by South Australian Government grant assessors as part of the application process.
Applying for the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant
You must submit an application via the smartygrants official online portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant resources
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