Funding to support Australian forestry through industry grants, plantation expansion, workforce capability and concessional finance, strengthening Australian wood processing, manufacturing innovation and domestic timber supply.
On this page you will find
What is the Forestry Growth Fund (FGF)?
The Forestry Growth Fund is a $300 million Australian Government initiative to grow and modernise Australia’s forestry and wood products industry, supporting the Timber Fibre Strategy.
- $150 million for Industry Growth Grants and initiatives, delivered through five distinct streams.
- $150 million in concessional finance delivered through the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).
The two components have different funding arrangements, purposes and application pathways. The full $300 million is not available as grants.
Forestry Growth Fund level of support
Funding amount
- Total fund allocation: $300 million, comprising $150 million in Industry Growth Grants and initiatives and $150 million in NRFC concessional finance.
- Forestry Industry Innovation: up to $30 million; its two announced opportunities are Wood Processing Feasibility and Market Access ($10,000–$250,000 grants; $3.92 million allocated) and Wood Processing Innovation Capacity Building ($1 million–$5 million grants; $25.53 million allocated).
- Forestry Industry Transformation: up to $85 million; individual grant minimum and maximum amounts have not been published.
- Forestry Workforce Capability: up to $15 million; individual grant minimum and maximum amounts have not been published.
- Support Plantation Establishment: up to $15 million in additional funding; see the separate Round 4 guidelines for individual funding limits and conditions.
- Forest Product Import Integrity: $5 million initiative allocation; no individual business grant offering has been announced.
- NRFC concessional finance: $150 million allocation; individual investment minimum, maximum and financial terms are assessed case by case and are not published as a standard grant range.
Co-contribution requirements
- A standard co-contribution percentage for the overall fund has not been published. Requirements for each grant opportunity will be determined by its guidelines.
- NRFC finance is investment funding rather than a grant; funding structure and terms will be discussed with the NRFC.
Forestry Growth Fund objectives
- Expand sustainable domestic wood and fibre supply for manufacturing, housing and construction.
- Modernise wood processing, improve productivity and encourage higher-value timber products.
- Support innovation, market access, competitive manufacturing and industry transformation.
- Strengthen forestry workforce skills, career pathways and regional employment.
- Promote integrity of forest product imports and compliance with illegal logging laws.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Forestry Growth Fund support
Projects and activities
- Forestry Industry Innovation: feasibility and market access work, and innovation or capacity-building projects in wood processing; final eligible activities await guidelines.
- Forestry Industry Transformation: large-scale modern processing and value-adding investments intended to significantly transform manufacturing capabilities.
- Forestry Workforce Capability: initiatives relating to workforce skills, career pathways and safe, high-performing workplaces.
- Support Plantation Establishment: new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests, subject to Round 4 guidelines.
- Forest Product Import Integrity: tools that assist compliance with illegal logging laws; this is not currently advertised as an open manufacturer grant.
- NRFC finance: modernisation of wood product manufacturing, new or improved processing capability, mass timber, engineered wood, secondary processing and component manufacturing.
Ineligible projects and expenditure
Fund-wide eligible and ineligible expenditure rules have not been published. Each grant stream will have its own guidelines; do not assume that all machinery purchases, automation projects or manufacturing upgrades qualify.
Other Forestry Growth Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Forestry Growth Fund support
Potential applicants include organisations involved in forestry, wood processing, timber products, plantation establishment or relevant workforce initiatives, depending on the stream.
The Community Grants Hub encourages eligible small and medium-sized enterprises and proposals addressing hardwood processing challenges or opportunities under the Forestry Industry Innovation Program.
Final legal-entity, business-size, location and other eligibility conditions are not published consistently across all streams. Frame and truss manufacturers may be aligned with certain aims, but eligibility cannot be assumed without relevant guidelines or an NRFC assessment.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Forestry Growth Fund assessment criteria
No single fund-wide assessment rubric or percentage-weighted criteria have been published. Individual grant opportunities will publish their own rules; NRFC investment proposals are considered through a separate investment process.
The following are non-official considerations for early project alignment only:
- Fit with the stated purpose and scale of the relevant grant stream or financing component.
- Potential gains in timber processing, efficiency, innovation, sustainability or higher-value outputs.
- Organisational capacity, feasibility, budget, implementation readiness and expected benefits.
How do I get Forestry Growth Fund support?
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:
- Which fund component and stream suits the proposed project and whether that opportunity is open.
- The forestry industry need or opportunity, planned activities and measurable outcomes.
- A realistic project budget, timeframe and delivery capability.
- For innovation grants, alignment with the specific announced grant size and aims.
- For NRFC finance, an investment proposal suitable for discussion with an NRFC investment professional.
Information to prepare for the Forestry Growth Fund application
The following are practical preparation recommendations, not an official mandatory checklist:
- Organisation and ownership details, business profile and relevant industry operations.
- Project overview, expected outcomes, milestones and indicative timeline.
- Budget, financial forecasts, proposed funding mix and investment amount requested.
- Evidence of feasibility, market demand, capability or potential economic and manufacturing benefits.
- For plantation projects, land and establishment plans relevant to Round 4 requirements.
- For future grant streams, monitor published guidelines for mandatory supporting documentation.
Applying for Forestry Growth Fund support
Submit your details through the NRFC Forestry Growth Fund webform.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Forestry Growth Fund resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
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