Regional Job Creation Fund

This program aims to help businesses in engine industries to withstand the impact of drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19 by co-funding projects that initiate or accelerate investment, create jobs and support economic recovery and resilience in regional NSW.

Its objective is to support economic recovery and resilience by activating, bringing forward or attracting investment in regional NSW by co-funding business projects that create at least five new jobs.

The Fund will target the creation of at least 5,000 new direct jobs (full-time equivalent) in regional NSW over a three-year period.

Grants between $100,000 and $10 million (GST exclusive) are available. Each application requires a cash co-contribution of 50% of the total project cost. Co-contributions of less than 50% or that include in-kind contributions may be considered in extenuating circumstances.

A total funding pool of $100 million is available.

The application process is conducted in two stages:
- Stage 1: Preliminary application
- Stage 2: Detailed application stage (by invitation)

Applicants should seek advice from their legal, business and financial advisers to determine the suitability of the funding before applying.

Eligible applicants must:
- Be business or co-operative:
a) Operating in an ‘engine’ industry, enabling industry or emerging engine industry as described in the relevant Regional Economic Development Strategy.
b) Aligned with government strategies including the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW.
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be one of the following:
a) A company incorporated in Australia
b) A company incorporated by guarantee
c) An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
d) An incorporated association or co-operative
e) A partnership
f) A sole trader
g) An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- Be registered for GST.
- Have the demonstrated skills and capacity to deliver the project.
- Be financially viable and able to demonstrate that they are likely to remain so over the duration of the project.
- Have at least $20 million public liability insurance.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects must:
- Be based in regional NSW.
- Create employment outcomes in regional NSW that are sustainable without additional NSW Government investment beyond the agreed grant.
- Demonstrate the project would not occur in regional NSW at all or in the same timeframe without government investment.
- Align with existing NSW Government policies and strategies, including the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW and the relevant Regional Economic Development Strategy.
- Have a minimum cash co-contribution of 50% of the total project cost.
- Be able to be completed by June 2022.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of examples of eligible projects/costs.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Strategic alignment
- Job creation
- Expected return on government investment
- Deliverability
- Affordability

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

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Projects based in Greater Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong Local Government Areas.
- Projects funding the day-to-day operations of business or focusing primarily on marketing and promotion.
- Projects requiring ongoing funding from the NSW Government.
- Projects not aligned to the objective of the Regional Job Creation Fund.
- Projects that would proceed and be delivered on the same timeline without government financial assistance.
- Projects that have already received NSW Government or other funding for the same outputs and outcomes.
- Repayment of existing debts or budget deficits.
- Administrative, operational and maintenance costs not related to the subject project.
- Ongoing staff wages and salaries.
- Costs already funded by insurance or other NSW or Australian Government programs.
- Costs that require recurrent or ongoing funding from the NSW Government.

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