Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program (Victoria)

Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program (Victoria) is sponsored by Agriculture Victoria. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

James T Hider (DEECA) 0:10 numbers are going up. We'll start in a minute. Thank you everybody for your prompt attendance.

It looks like numbers have stabilised, so we will get started. Welcome everyone and thank you for joining today's webinar for the 2026 Livestock Biosecurity Funds Grant Program. My name is James Hyder.

I'm the Director of Governance, Regulatory Improvement and Programmes at Agriculture Victoria. So today, the session is designed to give potential applicants a clear and practical understanding of what the programme funds, how decisions are made, and how to submit a strong application that aligns with the programme objectives and each committee's strategic direction.

This is also an opportunity to highlight why the programme matters for Victoria. These funds support initiatives that strengthen animal health, Biosecurity and market access across the cattle, sheep and goat, swine and honey bee industries, and will share examples of impacts delivered through previous projects so you can see what success looks like and how outcomes are measured.

Across the session, you will hear both the rules of the program, the eligibility, supporting documents and assessment processes, but also the strategy, the areas of focus set by the industry led committees for 2026. I would like to just start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands from which I am coming from today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to elders past and present.

I would also like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands and waters from where you are joining us, and recognise their continuing connexion to country. Okay, a few housekeeping. Things to cover.

The session is being recorded and this recording and the slide pack will be made available on the Livestock Biosecurity Fund Grant Program, the LBF Grant Programme webpage after the webinar. So that audio quality is consistent, we've turned off microphones and cameras for everybody. But please submit questions through the Q&A function.

You can post the questions anonymously if you want, and we'll answer as many as we can during the dedicated Q&A session at the end. As you go, you'll hear references to the 2026 programme guidelines. This is really the critical document providing information on eligibility, assessment criteria, supporting documentation and key dates.

They will soon be made available on the programme webpage and the address is on the screen now. And this really should be your first stop for information about the program. If you have any technical issues, try refreshing your connection.

If the issue persists, just put your question in the Q&A and we'll follow up, and we'll be happy to follow up after the session. Okay, so the agenda, we'll talk a bit about why the programme exists, how funding is established, how the committees operate and how ultimately the Minister of Agriculture approves expenditure.

Next, we'll cover what the programme funds, what it won't fund, and the long-term outcomes and strategic focus areas for investment. So this is really important for applicants when deciding whether a project fits the programme and which fund to apply for.

We'll share some case studies to demonstrate the impact of the program, and you'll hear about some of the projects that have been funded in the past and the outcomes they've delivered for the Victorian industry. We'll hear from each of the chairpersons of the Livestock Advisory Committees, and I'd like to acknowledge their attendance at today's meeting and the attendance of some of the committee membership. So online we have Ron Harris.

He's the chair of the Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee. He's a beef producer from Nagambi. We have online Kayleen Baird, who's the chair of Sheep and Goat Cattle Advisory Committee.

She's a goat and cattle producer in Hillcrest. We have Angela Enbom, who's the Chair of the Apiary Industry Advisory Committee, a beekeeper from Dunstan. And Tim Kingmar is the Chair of the Swine Industry Projects Advisory Committee.

He's a pig producer in North Central Victoria. Thank you for your attendance. And then finally, Nathan Potter from AgVic will walk us through some of the programme eligibility, supporting documents, assessment criteria and how to apply.

And we will make sure there's time at the end for any questions. So please use the Q&A function. Okay, so what is the LBF Grant Program?

The programme provides grants that support the prevention, monitoring and control of livestock diseases. The programme is designed to enhance animal health, strengthen Biosecurity and support market access, benefiting Victoria's cattle, sheep and goats, swine and honey bee industries. A key strength of the programme is that it is industry informed.

The advisory committees, made-up of people with relevant industry skills and experience, Advise on priorities and make recommendations to the Minister for Funding. It's also important to note the programme is focused on projects that deliver industry-wide benefit. Successful proposals are typically those that address a shared biosecurity challenge, build capability or systems, and support broader adoption of improved practises or tools.

In this respect, we could say the focus is more about applied research than groundbreaking solutions. The LBF Grant Programme is administered by the Agriculture Victoria as part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change. There are four compensation funds established under the Livestock Disease Control Act.

The Act sets out the purpose of the funds for the prevention, monitoring and control of livestock diseases. And the compensation for certain losses caused by specified endemic diseases. Funding is generated through statutory arrangements.

Duties are collected through the sale of cattle, sheep and goat and pigs, supported by the Duties Act, and they contribute to the cattle, sheep and goat and swine funds, and honey bee registration and annual fees contribute to the Honey Bee Fund.

You should note that as part of the government's drought Package, these duties are paused until 30 June, sorry, 30 September, 2026, and beekeeper registration, which is for two years, is paused until 30 September, 2027. All expenditure from the funds require approval of the Minister for Agriculture after considering advice from the relevant advisory committees.

As such, the committees help set the strategic direction and provide recommendations for which proposals best deliver benefit within the purposes of the Act. For applicants. This means the strongest applications make it clear explicit link to the Act's objectives, the program's long-term outcomes and the relevant committee's statement of strategic intent.

So there were four funds with four corresponding advisory committees, as you can see on the screen there. Each committee sets its own priorities to guide how funding is invested under the Act. While these industries share common challenges, each committee may emphasise different priorities based on current risk There are benefits in running a single grant programme across all funds to support joint projects across industries.

However, it's important to note that there are four separate assessment processes and four sets of recommendations from each of the four committees. Applicants can apply to more than one fund where appropriate, but a separate application must be lodged for each fund. and each application must demonstrate alignment with that fund's strategic intent.

And we'll spend a little bit more time later on looking at what each fund is looking for. The programme supports projects that produce innovative solutions and emerging technologies, collaboration across value change, and quantifiable benefits to the relevant Victorian industry, measured and evaluated with evidence and data. Innovation doesn't always mean high tech.

It can mean a new approach to adoption, better integration of data, improved surveillance design, stronger producer engagement models or a more effective pathway to capability building. What matters is that the project addresses A genuine gap and improves outcomes for the sector.

In the collaboration space, projects that bring together producers, industry bodies, researchers, vets, service providers, processors and government often have clearer adoption pathways and stronger evidence of whole of industry benefit. Where collaboration is essential for delivery, co-funding or in-kind support should be documented with letters of commitment. Finally, measurement and evaluation are not optional extras.

The programme expects applicants to plan how outcomes will be evaluated and communicated to support uptake. The guidelines are clear about exclusions. The programme will not fund retrospective funding requests, lobbying activities on organisations' core business activities.

It won't fund emergency animal disease compensation response or recovery as they sit outside the program's scope. This grant programme will not fund capital expenditure, recurrent operating costs such as rent and utilities, or activities that establish expectation of ongoing funding. Importantly, activities located outside Victoria and do not directly benefit Victoria are not eligible.

These constraints reflect both legislative intent and good grant practice, ensuring funds are directed to targeted initiatives that deliver benefits for Victorian industries.

If your concept involves infrastructure or ongoing operations, that doesn't automatically mean it's not eligible, but you will need to design the proposal to focus on eligible components such as trials, capability building, system improvement, implementation support or evidence generation.

A good rule of thumb is to ask, is this a defined project with clear deliverables and measurable outcomes, or is it an operational funding for ongoing activity? This programme is aimed at the former. With that, I will hand over to Ron Harris to talk about the program's vision, goals and sort outcomes.

Yasemin Maranzano (DEECA) 11:45 James T Hider (DEECA) 11:50 Yasemin Maranzano (DEECA) 11:54 James T Hider (DEECA) 11:56 I can't see running the ch. Otherwise, I can keep going. Yasemin Maranzano (DEECA) 12:09 Nathan J Potter (DEECA) 12:09 James T Hider (DEECA) 12:09 I think I will keep going.

Yasemin Maranzano (DEECA) 12:14 James T Hider (DEECA) 12:14 We will try and reconnect with Ron shortly. So the programme visions and outcomes. The program's vision is to help prevent, monitor and control diseases in animals and to enhance animal health, biosecurity, competitive advantage and market access for Victoria's cattle, sheep, and goats, swine, and honey bee industries.

That vision is translated into long-term outcomes that strengthen sustainability, productivity, and the reputation of Victorian industries. Maintaining market access and competitive advantage relies on strong animal health and Biosecurity standards. This includes meeting trade requirements, supporting consumer confidence, and ensuring that Victoria's systems are resilient in the face of emerging risks.

Improving animal health is a core outcome, reducing disease prevalence and promoting proactive health management through innovation in diagnostics, treatment and prevention strategies. Strengthening surveillance, traceability and preparedness supports earlier detection and more effective response. The programme sets out three medium-term goals over the 5 to 10 year time horizon.

So these include preparedness and prevention for having supply chains proactively mapping Biosecurity risks as part of daily practice, ensuring traceability systems are accurate, real-time and widely used. and improving early disease detection and diagnosis across production systems.

To achieve these goals, the programme invests in projects that can demonstrate measurable outcomes over a one to five year time frame across areas of strategic focus, preparedness and prevention, traceability, early detection, capability building and applied research. So when you position your project, be explicit about which focus area it sits under, the medium term goal it supports, and how you will measure progress.

I probably don't need to cover this. I think most people online would understand the persistent and emerging challenges that are putting pressure on Victoria's Biosecurity systems. They include intensification of production systems, climate change, shifting demographics, increasing travel and trade, which all can increase Does they spread and introduce new vectors?

There are also increasing threats from new invasive species and diseases, limitations in vaccine and treatment access and workforce gaps, particularly in regional areas where veterinary and Biosecurity capability may be constrained. These are real system pressures that create both risk and opportunity for targeted investment. Up next, we'll talk through some case studies.

You'll see how previously funded projects have been addressing these pressures through workforce capability building, sorry, through workforce capability building, prevention programmes and applied research. The first one, I'm not sure if Ronnie's online, if he is, jump in. James T Hider (DEECA) 15:40 Sorry, we're all sweet now.

Sorry about that. So this is one of the case studies that Randall McGuckian did some evaluation work on and our expectation is that every project that is funded has a detailed evaluation plan. These are some of the results though that 43% of registered large animal vets in Victoria have been through this training course.

They're very satisfied with it. And importantly, we get an increased sample submission on a project significant disease investigation, which is looking at unusual diseases very early on because we know that if we can get on to any of those diseases early on, the benefits to the industry are much greater than if there's a wider spread. So it also strengthens our surveillance and early detection capability.

So we're trying to work at the very front end to get onto those diseases early and that hopefully gives Victoria a competitive advantage and our producers who are paying these duties an advantage. Thanks, Ron. Good morning, everyone.

Thank you for joining us today. I'm going to share with you two. programmes that the Sheep and Goat Compensation Fund has funded, and also just to share with you some take home or takeaway messages.

The first one on screen you can see is the Stock Sense program, and you can see the metrics there. I'll let you read them yourself. But the Stock Sense Sorry, StockSense projects about improving capability building and adoption through an extension programme aimed at improving on-farm Biosecurity, animal health and welfare.

Workshops were delivered. along with resources and communications to build the peri-urban and small landholder producer knowledge and to strengthen practices. And they did this by collaborating with the majority of their events, with AgVic, Landcare, local councils, and their own media teams.

The project has achieved substantial engagement, as you can see, nearly 1000 webinar attendees and over 800 face-to-face producers. This scale matters because it does indicate a programme designed for broad uptake rather than limited audience. At this scale, the project is achieving a broad uptake with measurable behaviour change and practise adoption.

And importantly, the evaluation, which as Ron mentioned earlier, is very important as part of your submissions, captures outcome evidence, not only attendances. An evaluation of the project did report a 23% self-assessed knowledge up. and found 26% of the respondents implemented or updated their Biosecurity plans.

These are just some examples of measurable behaviour changes and practise adoption. The takeaway for applicants with this particular project is that the engagement is strongest when it's delivered through multiple channels. face-to-face, online and resources.

It's also important to connect participation to outcomes of which attendance alone is only one output. The strongest projects also track changes in knowledge, confidence, behaviour and compliance. The committee is particularly interested in programmes that effectively engage peri-urban and small-scale producers, noting the high level of need within these groups and historically low application rates.

The second case study is a sheep lice detection study conducted by La Trobe University. This is a case study of an applied research project with potential for on-farm adoption. The sheep body lice does cause significant loss in the wool industry, as we know, and resistance to chemicals is increasing.

Therefore, early detection on sheep body lice can reduce unnecessary treatments and support better management decisions. The project successfully developed and validated a molecular assay to detect lice DNA in wool samples. It demonstrated strong specificity and sensitivity and established a faster field suitable sampling method that can deliver results within a practical time frame for use outside laboratory settings.

A great tool for... on land producers. The project successfully created a new accurate test that can find lice DNA in wool and is shown to be very accurate.

The team also developed a quicker, easier way to collect samples. And this means the test can be used outside a lab and provide results within one hour. So from paddock to a faster and more cost-effective answer on farm.

The research has established a faster and more cost-effective method for detecting sheep lice at the farm level. However, commercialisation and adoption pathways can be a limiting factor in delivering the benefits to industry. This is a common challenge for applied research projects, so something to consider.

For researchers, if your proposal includes applied research, consider how it will move beyond proof of concept. Who will adopt it and what support they will need? How will the tool or innovation be delivered?

And what metrics will demonstrate tangible benefits for the industry? I'll pass over to Angela now, who'll speak to you with you about programme strategic visions. Hi, Angela.

Nathan J Potter (DEECA) 21:57 Sorry, Angela, you are on mute. Sorry, apologies for that. Okay, statement of strategic intent.

Each of the Livestock Advisory Committee sets its strategic direction and publishes a statement of strategic intent, or what we refer to as a SOCI, as part of the LVF programme guidelines. This is an important document because it outlines the long-term vision, priorities and investment focus of each industry, and it does change slightly from year to year.

When preparing your application, your project should align closely with the SOCI as the fund you are applying to. Alignment is a key consideration during assessment, and projects that clearly reflect committee priorities are much more competitive. In the next few slides, the chairs of ETA Advisory Committee will outline their priorities for 2026.

As you listen, think about how your project idea contributes to those industry-specific goals. Okay, so we'll go straight into IEC or the Agriculture Honeybee. So see, and this is what we're looking for this year.

The Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee is dedicated to, sorry, one sec. Okay, the Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee is dedicated to supporting and promoting the health and sustainability of Victorian agriculture sector. Addressing AFB or American Foulbrood is a priority and as the only declared compensatable fund.

The committee is also seeking initiatives that mitigate current and potential Biosecurity risks, including the Varroa, not exclusive to, but certainly including the Varroa mite by enhancing honeybee nutrition and genetics, as well as supporting industry resilience and many people help. In 2026, we are seeking projects that can deliver scalable solutions which benefit Victorian beekeepers.

When we say scalable, we mean from the smallest to the largest beekeeper, it's still applicable. Practical tools, knowledge and systems, clear alignment to the AFB management and broader preparedness for the major pest and disease. Proposals should be appropriately scoped and demonstrate strong value for money.

Where larger initiatives are proposed, the application should be particularly compelling with a clear problem definition, feasible approach and credible evaluation communication. Certainly, partnerships with other grant applicants or grant providers is also possible.

As with other applicants should show stakeholder consultation to support relevance and need practical and concise delivery plans and demonstrate how outcomes will strengthen resilient resilient honey bee industry. I think that's about all. I'll ask Ron Harris to talk to you now with the priorities of the Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee.

Nathan J Potter (DEECA) 25:16 Sorry, Ron, you're on mute. Apologies. For the Cattle Compensation Advisory Committee, we're looking at projects that strengthen Victoria's cattle industry by investing in initiatives that enhance animal health, build sector capacity and capability, and improve feedback mechanisms.

So you can see the outcomes there on the slides, but they're the main ones. The committee is looking for clear cattle industry benefit at scale. So it's not about individuals benefiting, it's about industry benefits, which may include individuals.

Measurable improvements in animal health outcomes or risk reduction, both of those are really important. And strong pathways to adoption, be it across producers, vets, abattoirs, agents, whatever. So the whole supply chain is really important.

And projects that improve the use of feedback from abattoirs, animal health feedback, etc. will be strong contenders, but clearly we want the abattoirs involved in that submission if you're going down that path. So we want them to be practical, implementable and demonstrate collaboration.

So very keen on co-design projects and if there is funding from Meat and Livestock Australia, Animal Health Australia, Dairy Australia, that's seen as very positive. We can have letters supporting it, but clearly if those letters come with... dollars from those various sectors, it's viewed favourably.

Not necessary that you have co-investment, but it's certainly improved favourably. And as everybody's saying, the evaluation needs to be credible and proportional. So if you're doing a $50,000 project, We don't expect the same evaluation as if you're doing a $300,000 project, but we do expect evaluation built in at the front end of all proposals, and that needs to be budgeted for.

So on that note, I'll pass over to Kaylene, who will talk about the sheep and goat. Thanks, Ron. I just want to reiterate Ron's comments there in regards to your submissions.

Very important key points to remember. So the Sheep and Goat Compensation Advisory Committee focuses on 4 areas, workforce stewardship, traceability, and capability. They're on screen that you can see.

With the workforce, we want to build a skilled workforce in veterinary care and animal nutrition to close service gaps and unlock regional strengths. Be creative. With the National Stewardship for Health, we want to drive coordinated national action on antimicrobial resistance through prevention, nutrition-led health, and responsible stewardship.

For our traceability, we want to transform traceability and data systems into reliable, high quality tools that power rapid, confident decision making across the supply chain. And finally, with our capability, scalable capability. We would like to deliver practical, scalable capability that fuels innovation, productivity and measurable benefits across the livestock sector.

We look forward to receiving your applications and just reiterate Ron's words there and also please align your submissions with the SOSI. Ohh, thanks for that, Tim Kingmart. I'm a pig farmer, as said earlier, up North Central Victoria.

So I chair the SIPAC, which focuses on improved animal health and that consequentially impacts the animal welfare, long-term sustainability and productivity of the pig industry in Victoria. With its investment decisions, it seeks proactive approaches to potentially exclude, detect and manage swine diseases and their impacts. For 2026, project proposals will ideally have a practical Biosecurity application and a clear risk focus.

This includes projects aimed at mitigating risks associated with unplanned movements of people and vehicles, feral pigs, and swell feeding. Projects that strengthen surveillance and early detection capability, like communication and training for producers, would also be well received. SciPAC emphasises clear communications of its outcomes in both technical and non-specialist formats.

This matters because industry adoption must be targeted at a number of different levels. It's not enough to generate knowledge. Projects should be designed to translate that knowledge into practical improvements.

Applicants should clearly show how their project fits within industry and government activities. Demonstrating stakeholder consultation is important to ensure that industry will use the outcomes. Next thing I was, so that's around side pack.

Next, I was going to talk about what makes a strong application, and that's linked, you know, to all the funds. So, strong applications begin with a well-defined problem statement. You should describe the issue clearly, explain who is affected and why it matters now.

Where possible, quantify the scale, such as prevalence, economic impact, compliance burden, or risk. Next, demonstrate alignment to the industry. A strong application makes a direct link to the programme objectives and the relevant fund statement of strategic intent.

It should also explain how the project fits alongside other existing programs, showing it fills the genuine gap rather than duplicating work. Then show how you will deliver and measure that impact, outline a clear methodology, realistic milestones, risk management approach, and a proportionate evaluation plan. Assessors are looking for outcomes and adoption pathways, not just activity delivery.

The case studies show that measurable changes, like increased investigations, improved knowledge or adoption of Biosecurity plans, strengthens the value proposition. Finally, demonstrate capability. Ideally, the people who will deliver the project, their experience and why your organisation is well placed to succeed.

If partners are critical, include letters confirming commitment and clearly describe the roles. Then some common pitfalls that we do see with applications often relate to clarity and an alignment. Applications can fall short when the problem statement is vague or overly broad, or when the project looks like a general good idea rather than a target solution to a defined gap in Victoria.

Another common weakness is an unclear benefit story, particularly where benefits are not specific to Victorian industry or are not described as an industry-wide level. Because these funds exist to benefit the industries that contribute to them, assessors need to see a credible pathway to broad benefit and adoption. Evaluation is another area where applications can be strengthened.

The case study evaluation report notes that many projects report outputs but not outcomes. or do not collect the indicators needed to demonstrate the impact. A simple, well-designed evaluation plan that matches the scale of the project can significantly improve application strength.

Finally, documentation gaps can undermine otherwise strong proposals. Missing letters of support, unclear roles, incomplete budgets or weak milestone planning create delivery risk. Make it easy for assessors to see that the project is feasible, supported and ready to deliver.

Thank you, and I'll hand over to Nathan Potter from AgVic, who will go through the programme eligibility criteria and the application process. Nathan J Potter (DEECA) 34:00 Thanks, Tim. Eligibility is set out clearly in the 2026 guidelines.

Eligible applicants include private sector businesses and agencies, universities and research institutions, cooperatives aligned with the program, government entities, local governments, and incorporated associations. Applicants must hold an ABN and be an incorporated body, cooperative, or association.

Applicants must also be financially solvent, conduct the proposed activities in Victoria, meet industrial relations obligations as an employer and agree to participate in future evaluation activities and public communication on the project. These are important conditions and should be considered early on in the application planning.

So if you're planning a partnership or consortium style application, ensure the lead applicant meets eligibility requirements and the roles and responsibilities and contributions are clearly documented. So if you're unsure about eligibility, we strongly recommend checking the guidelines and or contacting the project team early. So who cannot apply?

We see, so individuals are sole traders, trusts, partnerships and federal government departments. So these are aimed at ensuring that funding is directed to organisations with the structure, capability and governance needed to deliver projects. with statewide, so that's Victorian, statewide industry benefit.

So if you're unsure again whether your organisation qualifies, we encourage you to contact the programme team early to clarify eligibility and do that before you start your application. Required documentation. The guidelines ask applicants to submit a detailed budget, milestone summary and biographies or CVs for project members and delivery partners.

If your project requires co-funding, as has been said before, or in-kind contributions from other organisations, you will need to include Letters of support that confirm the commitment. A detailed evaluation plan is also required.

So if you're proposing a project that has previously received funding, the guidelines also require you to include an evaluation of that prior project, demonstrating how the benefits have been realised by industry. Our assessment criteria is a two-staged approach. The assessment process begins with an eligibility check.

Eligible applications are then assessed competitively using the criteria and weights set out here on the slide as well as in the guidelines. I won't go through all of those now. Applications are reviewed by an independent assessment panel and a report is prepared for the relevant advisory committee.

The committee then considers the report and makes recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture who decides whether to prove funding or not. How to apply? Applications are submitted online using the online grants online portal.

You can find that on the programme webpage which will be updated today, later today if it hasn't been done already. The application process involves selecting the relevant fund, completing the application form and uploading required supporting documents. It's important to ensure the application is endorsed by your organization's authorised officer.

So for Vic Government applications, this is the executive director or equivalent. Again, late applications will Not be accepted, so the message here really is: get in, get started early, make sure you submit on time or beforehand. In terms of key dates and applications open today, the 3rd of March, and close on the 14th of April.

Because supporting documentation and partner letters can take time, we recommend beginning early. So again, any questions, you can go to the project team. All the details are in the guidelines.

I'll pass back now to James, who will take questions before wrapping up today's session. James T Hider (DEECA) 38:35 Fantastic, thank you. Thank you, Nathan, and thank you, chairs.

I think that's been, well, clearly it's been very informative because I don't think we've got any questions in the Q&A, which means we've either done a fantastic job, which I'm sure is the case, or people are shy about asking any questions. So, we'll just give it a minute or two just to highlight a couple of things.

The LBF webpage, which you can easily find by Googling if you've lost the thing, it's on the AgVic website, is your number one point to get more information. The webinar This webinar video and transcript will be available shortly. The guidelines will also be available later today and that will be the way you access into the grant application portal.

I think you've heard pretty clearly some of the expectations around what the committees are looking for in terms of alignment and the quality of the kind of