ONLINE TRAINING NOW AVAILABLE
The OceanWatch NSW Responsible Oyster Farmer Training Program is now LIVE! Click the button below to sign-up and you will receive an email with further details.
REBATE PROGRAM
To encourage implementation of best-practice and responsible actions, Class A aquaculture permit holders in the NSW oyster industry can apply for a $3,000 (ex. GST) rebate on eligible items and activities. This rebate package is being coordinated by NSW Farmers Association through a Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Project.
GUIDELINES & REBATE FORMS
Editable PDF form
click below to download
click below to download
Once you have filled out the form, please save and return to myersa@nswfarmers.org.au.
If you have any questions about this rebate package, please read the FAQ's below, and then contact Andy Myers on 0488 656 366
If you have any questions about this rebate package, please read the FAQ's below, and then contact Andy Myers on 0488 656 366
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THE REBATE AVAILABLE TO EVERY NSW AQUACULTURE PERMIT HOLDER?
There are currently ~270 Class-A Aquaculture Permits in NSW. Rebates of $3,000 + GST (ie. $3,300 incl GST) are available to each of these permits. If your permit is held in a company name, or in multiple names, you can only apply for one rebate per permit number.
Other eligibility requirements include:
Other eligibility requirements include:
- Applicants must be able to prove that the project meets the 1:1 co-contribution requirement through in-kind assistance (eg. labour, use of machinery) or financial contributions.
- Applicants need a minimum public liability insurance of $10 million
- The project must be completed and reported by 1st May 2023.
- Applicants must have completed all training modules either in-person or online by the time you submit Part B of the rebate form.
Is $3,000 the maximum rebate available?
A total of $810,000 + GST is available to devolve to NSW Class A Aquaculture permit holders. Based on the current number of permits, this equates to a $3,000 + GST (ie. $3,300 incl .GST) rebate per permit number.
If the training & rebate program is under-subscribed by 1st May 2023, eligible applicants may receive a rebate more than the figure above, provided the 1:1 co-contribution requirement is maintained. It is therefore recommended that your co-contribution to the project well-exceed the 1:1 minimum requirement.
If the training & rebate program is under-subscribed by 1st May 2023, eligible applicants may receive a rebate more than the figure above, provided the 1:1 co-contribution requirement is maintained. It is therefore recommended that your co-contribution to the project well-exceed the 1:1 minimum requirement.
am I eligible for the rebate if my staff complete the training?
It is encouraged that both the permit holder and staff complete the training. It's free for all, and everyone will take something from the information provided.
In some cases however it may make sense for farm managers, or long-term employees, to complete the training instead of the permit holder. What we don’t want to see is permit holders requesting transient, part-time staff to complete the course, purely as a means to access the rebate. The application form does ask for the rationale why someone other than the permit holder would complete the training, and the responses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by NSW Farmers. Please contact Andy Myers on myersa@nswfarmers.org.au or 0488 656 366, with any questions.
In some cases however it may make sense for farm managers, or long-term employees, to complete the training instead of the permit holder. What we don’t want to see is permit holders requesting transient, part-time staff to complete the course, purely as a means to access the rebate. The application form does ask for the rationale why someone other than the permit holder would complete the training, and the responses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by NSW Farmers. Please contact Andy Myers on myersa@nswfarmers.org.au or 0488 656 366, with any questions.
What items are eligible to be claimed through the rebate?
The rebate can be applied to a wide range as items & activities, as long as it complies with best-practice and aligns with the training materials. A few examples include:
Should you be unsure of project eligibility, please contact Andy to discuss before submitting your application
Andy - 0488656366 / myersa@nswfarmers.org.au
- Best-practice cultivation infrastructure
- Disposal costs of redundant infrastructure
- Purchase of spat
- Solar panels
- Workplace health & safety equipment
- Professional development courses
- Outboard upgrades
- Shed sprinkler (fire suppression) systems
- Membership of industry associations
- Wet-storage tanks
Should you be unsure of project eligibility, please contact Andy to discuss before submitting your application
Andy - 0488656366 / myersa@nswfarmers.org.au
WHAT ITEMS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR THE REBATE?
- Funding cannot be used to cover the cost of staff or payments to oneself. These costs should be recorded as in-kind to the project.
- Items that are not considered best-practice, or environmentally responsible
- Items that have previously been claimed under other NSW or Australian Government support programs
- Other costs deemed ineligible by NSW Farmers’ Association
Should you be unsure of project eligibility, please contact Andy to discuss before submitting your application
Andy - 0488656366 / myersa@nswfarmers.org.au
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This Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Project is jointly funded by the Australia and the NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
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BACKGROUND - NSW RESPONSIBLE OYSTER FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM
The oyster industry attracts people from all backgrounds, from hobby farm retirees, to multiple-generational farmers operating across the state. Reflecting this diversity, the knowledge and professionalism of farmers varies considerably and until recently there was no purpose-built holistic training program to upskill existing farmers or those entering the industry.
The OceanWatch Responsible Oyster Farmer Training Program plugs this gap, providing a custom-built, standardised program for oyster farmers & their staff. The program builds knowledge about best-practice, and helps to reinforce the industry's position as responsible stewards of the waterway in which they work.
The program follows a series of modules, developed to cover a broad range of information:
The OceanWatch Responsible Oyster Farmer Training Program plugs this gap, providing a custom-built, standardised program for oyster farmers & their staff. The program builds knowledge about best-practice, and helps to reinforce the industry's position as responsible stewards of the waterway in which they work.
The program follows a series of modules, developed to cover a broad range of information:
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These modules were developed in consultation with OceanWatch Australia, NSW DPI Aquaculture Management & Administration, NSW DPI Aquatic Biosecurity, NSW Food Authority, and NSW Farmers Association.
This project is supported by OceanWatch Australia through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program. |
ONLINE, SELF-PACED TRAINING
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Following the successful delivery of face-to-face training, the materials have been converted to enable online delivery. This will enable the program to reach more farmers & staff spread across NSW. It will also be available to new entrants looking to find out more about the industry.
The online training is now available! Sign up for the course here. If you have any questions about the online platform, please contact:
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FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING
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In the second half of 2022, the training materials were delivered at nine face-to-face workshops across the state:
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The materials were developed to align with a Unit of Competency in the Seafood Industry Training Package. Participants who completed the face-to-face sessions, and were assessed to the competent in the subject matter, were provided with the VET unit SFIEMS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.
