Resource Recovery Boost Fund

The $130 million Resource Recovery Boost Fund (RRBF) has been established to support Queensland councils to address key waste reduction and recycling priorities, establish critical resource recovery infrastructure, divert waste from household red bins to green and yellow bins, and increase recycling.

The objectives of Round 1 of the RRBF are to support projects that:

  • address local, regional and/or statewide waste management and resource recovery priorities, with a focus on initiatives that establish or enhance key recycling infrastructure
  • contribute to Queensland’s waste and resource recovery targets including diverting municipal solid waste from landfill and boosting recycling rates.

The first funding round will see $60 million made available to eligible applicants across two funding streams:

  • Stream 1 (Small projects) – $20 million to support smaller-scale initiatives that provide waste management and/or resource recovery benefits at the local or regional scale. Individual project funding up to $2 million (excl GST) with projects to be delivered within 18 months of contract execution.
  • Stream 2 (Major projects) – $40 million to support more substantial undertakings that offer resource recovery solutions and economic benefits on a regional or statewide scale. Individual project funding over $2 million (excl GST) with projects to be delivered within 3 years of contract execution.

All Queensland councils, groups of councils constituting legal entities (e.g. Regional Organisations of Councils or Councils of Mayors), and entities established with the purpose of representing the interests of councils are eligible to apply. The Program guidelines support councils to work in partnership with other councils and the private sector to deliver projects that support regional priorities. Councils may participate in up to two projects within or across funding streams, as long as at least one of these projects is delivered through a partnership approach.

How to apply

Applications for the RRBF will open on Monday 13 October 2025, and links to the application portal will be published on this website.

Applications for Stream 1 (Small projects) close 3pm Thursday 11 December 2025.

Applications for Stream 2 (Major projects) close 3pm Thursday 29 January 2026.

More information

More information about the RRBF, including eligibility requirements and the application process is available in the Program guidelines (PDF, 833.1 KB) .

For specific queries, please see the Frequently asked questions below. Please note that the frequently asked questions will be updated periodically. If your question has not been answered, please contact the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, Program Design and Delivery team via email at OWRRPrograms@detsi.qld.gov.au

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

|

What is the Resource Recovery Boost Fund?

The Resource Recovery Boost Fund (RRBF) is a $130 million grant funding program that will provide grants to Queensland councils to undertake projects that address local and regional resource recovery priorities and contribute to achieving Queensland’s waste reduction and recycling targets. Round 1 of the RRBF will provide funding of $60 million under two funding streams – $20 million will be available for smaller projects with a local and regional focus, and a further $40 million will be available for major projects designed to deliver regional or statewide benefits.

What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of the RRBF is to assist Queensland councils to address waste reduction and recycling priorities, while contributing to Queensland’s waste reduction and recycling targets. The specific program objectives are to:

  • address local, regional and/or statewide waste management and resource recovery priorities, with a focus on initiatives that establish or enhance key recycling infrastructure
  • contribute to Queensland’s waste and resource recovery targets including diverting municipal solid waste from landfill and boosting recycling rates.

Who administers the program?

The RRBF is administered by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (the department).

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

When will Round 2 of the RRBF be available?

No decision has been made regarding possible dates for future rounds of the RRBF, however the demand for funding under Round 1 will be taken into consideration in recommending when Round 2 might be released.

How much funding will be available under Round 2 of the RRBF?

$130 million has been approved for the RRBF, with $60 million of this available under Round 1. No decisions have been made about the funding available, or the eligibility requirements for future rounds, however these decisions will be informed by the demand for funding under Round 1.

If I am successful in securing funding under Round 1 of the RRBF, will I be able to apply under Round 2 when it is available?

The structure and eligibility of future rounds of the RRBF will be decided closer to the release date of those future rounds. You should check eligibility requirements when Program guidelines are released.

If my Round 1 application is unsuccessful, will it be eligible under Round 2 when it is available?

Program guidelines may be reviewed prior to future funding rounds. You should check eligibility requirements when a new program round is released.

Who can apply for the program?

The RRBF is open to individual Queensland councils and groups of Queensland councils represented by a Regional Organisation of Councils/Council of Mayors or a Representative entity (an entity that has been established to represent the interests of Queensland councils).

Outside of the representative groups listed above, groups of Queensland councils may partner directly to deliver a project, however an individual council must be the lead applicant.

Other partnership arrangements are also permitted, including with private entities.

Interested parties should carefully consider section 3.1 of the Program guidelines.

How many projects can a council be involved in?

Program guidelines provide that, under Round 1 of the RRBF, councils may participate in up to two (2) projects, either as the lead applicant or a partner council, across the available funding streams. This means that an applicant could seek funding under one or both funding streams. Where an applicant applies for funding for two projects, at least one of these projects needs to be a joint project.

What types of projects qualify under the Program?

Program guidelines have been left broad in recognition of the differing opportunities, maturity and constraints experienced by councils across the breadth of Queensland. The intent is to allow eligible applicants to focus on the key resource recovery priorities within their council or region.

The focus is on infrastructure projects that will enhance resource recovery and contribute to Queensland’s waste diversion and recycling targets. This may include increasing material separation, recycling, or reprocessing beyond current levels. Program guidelines contain example activities under each funding stream, including purchase and installation of individual infrastructure items, and development of new, or expansion of existing, resource recovery services or facilities, e.g. expansion of current Resource Recovery Areas to accept additional materials, or development of new recycling lines within a Material Recovery Facility.

Although the focus of the RRBF is on supporting projects that will have demonstrable material benefits, the Program guidelines provide that limited funding may be available for business cases to assist council decisions relating to longer-term investments. Applicants intending to apply for funding for a business case should note that preference will be given to those projects that will support activities across council areas, and that have a clear line of sight to infrastructure development.

Do projects need to be included in a Regional Waste Management Plan or Implementation Plan to be considered a priority project for a council or region?

No. Regional Waste Management Plans and Implementation Plans are one source of information that the department may rely on to confirm that a project addresses a local, regional or statewide waste management or resource recovery priority.

There are many ways that an applicant may demonstrate the priority of a project including through previous direct discussions or other communication with the department; through previous discussions in other settings such as workshops or committees; or through the use of available waste and/or resource recovery data.

Why are activities related to household organic waste collection not eligible?

The department has another grant program that provides funding to councils to support better management of household organic waste – the Growing the Recovery of Organic Waste via Food Organics and Garden Organics (GROW FOGO) Program. To limit any potential inconsistencies between funding requirements between the 2 programs, activities that are eligible under the GROW FOGO Program have been excluded from the RRBF.

Please contact the department if you wish to apply for funding under the GROW FOGO Program to collect materials that will be necessary for your proposed project under the RRBF, e.g. if your RRBF application relates to a new bulking station or organics processing solution but you do not have approved funding yet under the GROW FOGO Program to introduce a kerbside organics collection service.

Further information is available on the GROW FOGO Program.

Is a council eligible for RRBF funding if it already has an ongoing grant funding agreement with the department?

Yes. If your council is currently managing a project under an existing funding agreement with the department, including the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, this project does not count towards the two-project limit. However, the assessment process allows for consideration of existing projects and applicants’ performance in relation to those projects in assessing capacity and capability to deliver projects under the RRBF.

What are the rules for councils applying for funding in partnership with other councils?

One of the eligible applicants must be chosen as the lead applicant. They will be responsible for submitting the application and will also be responsible executing the contract on behalf of the partnership. This includes all subsequent contract management, project execution, variations and reporting. Matters such as the split of required funding contributions and governance arrangements between project partners are to be determined and managed by the applicant(s) and are not the responsibility of the department.

All councils and other project partners must be identified in the funding application. Each project partner needs to provide a commitment letter from an authorised officer (like the CEO or Mayor) stating the project's benefits, financial commitment, and specifics of non-monetary contributions to the project.

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

Can a private business apply under the RRBF, or is funding only available to councils?

A private business is not an eligible applicant under the RRBF but can partner with an eligible applicant. You are advised to talk to your local council or another eligible applicant if you would like to discuss a partnership project.

Are there eligibility requirements that a private sector partner must meet under the RRBF?

The application form will ask for project partner details including the company name and ABN. Through the assessment process, the department may undertake further checks on any applicant or project partner including due diligence checks.

Can a project involve activities at multiple locations, e.g. development of recycling hubs; mobile bays or trailers to provide drop-off services to residents in remote areas?

Yes, if these activities are reliant on each other to deliver the project, e.g. shared equipment or other resources.

If they can be carried out independently, they may be separate projects requiring separate applications. Please contact the department if you would like to discuss specific details.

Can multiple projects that interlink be included under a single application?

As above, if the linkages between activities mean that they are reliant on each other for success they may be considered a single project. If the activities can be carried out independently, they may be separate projects requiring separate applications. Please contact the department if you would like to discuss specific details.

What sorts of business cases will be considered for funding under Stream 1 of the RRBF?

The focus of the RRBF is on the delivery of infrastructure or establishment of services that will provide measurable reductions in landfill disposal and increases in recycling. Limited funding is available for business cases that could result in the establishment of a facility or service that would deliver these outcomes.

Program guidelines define a business case as following from a feasibility study and providing the detail to inform the final stages of project approval (see appendix 1 of the Program guidelines for further detail).

Program guidelines require that an application for a business case must demonstrate that the applicant has considered the pathway to project implementation, including what outcomes would be needed from the business case to support a decision to proceed with the project.

Would rural and remote tyre collection on a regional scale be an eligible project?

This type of project would be eligible for funding consideration. The applicant should demonstrate that the project is a priority for councils in the project area, and provide an informed estimate of the resource recovery and/or recycling benefits that would be expected from the project.

Applicants should be aware that projects will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria in the Program guidelines (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines).

Would establishing a new public place recycling collection service be an eligible project?

This type of project may be considered if the applicant can demonstrate that the project is a priority for councils within the project area and can provide information to support the resource recovery and/or recycling benefits that would be expected from the project.

Applicants should be aware that projects will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria in the Program guidelines (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines).

Is the Fund strictly focused on recycling outcomes, or would the establishment of re-use systems be supported?

The focus of the RRBF is on the delivery of infrastructure or establishment of services that will provide measurable reductions in landfill disposal and increases in recycling. A re-use project may be considered if the applicant can demonstrate that the project is a priority for councils within the project area and can provide information to support the resource recovery and/or recycling benefits that would be expected from the project.

Applicants should be aware that projects will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria in the Program guidelines (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines).

Can I apply for funding for a project that commenced in July 2025?

Yes, the Program guidelines allow for consideration of projects that commenced after the Program was announced on 1 May 2025.

I have project designs that were completed prior to 1 May 2025, but construction has not started. Would the construction project be eligible under the RRBF?

Yes, the Program guidelines allow for consideration of projects, or project stages, that commenced after the Program was announced on 1 May 2025. Any costs incurred prior to 1 May 2025 would not be eligible.

How much funding is available?

Round 1 of the RRBF has a total funding pool of $60 million (excl GST).

Funding is available for approved projects under two funding streams:

  • Stream 1 (Small projects) – total $20 million (excl GST)

Councils will be able to apply for up to $2 million (excl GST) to deliver small projects with local or regional benefits.

  • Stream 2 (Major projects) – total $40 million (excl GST)

Councils will be able to apply for over $2 million (excl GST) to deliver major projects that will have regional or statewide impact.

What types of projects may be funded under the different funding streams?

Similar activities are eligible under Stream 1 and Stream 2 of the RRBF. Where activities are included in both funding streams, the differences will relate to the scale of the project, the scale of the expected impact or benefit. Small projects may target benefits at the local or regional level, while it is expected that major projects would provide broader scale geographic benefit. It would also be expected that more detailed information would be required to support a Stream 2 project, given increased scale and complexity.

A key difference between the two funding streams is the inclusion of business cases as an example activity under Stream 1. This reflects the focus on material outcomes and infrastructure projects, but allows for a limited amount of funding to support future projects.

Section 3.2 of the Program guidelines provides specific eligibility requirement for projects, and a list of example projects under each funding stream.

What sorts of projects are ineligible for RRBF funding?

The focus of the RRBF is on the development of key resource recovery and recycling infrastructure that will result in measurable material benefits. To support this focus, certain projects are ineligible for funding. These are listed under section 3.3 of the Program guidelines and include standalone waste audit projects, projects related to container refund points, and projects than may be eligible under other grant funding programs administered by the department.

Can a project include different kinds of activities?

A project may have different project elements, but must constitute a clearly defined project rather than a collection of separate activities.

For example, an applicant may wish to apply for funding to establish a kerbside recycling service intended to divert waste from landfill and recover materials for recycling. This would involve a number of project elements including purchase and delivery of household recycle bins, establishing the collection service, and community awareness relating to the new service. These project elements are all necessary to contribute to the success of the project, so this would be considered a standalone project.

The council has also identified collection of cardboard waste from commercial premises as a priority project. This second activity would achieve the same outcomes of waste diversion and recycling, but would be considered a separate, standalone activity because it is not necessary to ensure the successful establishment of a kerbside recycling service.

These projects would require separate applications and would be assessed separately.

Will applicants be required to make a financial contribution to approved projects?

Yes. Successful applicants are expected to contribute to approved projects through a direct financial contribution or an in-kind contribution. The level of contribution required depends on the project stream and the applicant type, including the type of project partners involved. Section 5.3 of the Program guidelines show the minimum applicant contribution required. In the case of joint applications, applicants will be responsible for deciding how the contribution is shared across project partners.

Is there a specific funding allocation for regional councils or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils?

The RRBF has been established as a statewide program, so no specific funding allocation has been made to particular groups of councils. Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria (section 7.1 of the Program guidelines), which include criteria for the benefits that a proposed project will deliver to remote and regional communities.

The provision of a small project funding stream may be more suited to smaller regional and remote councils; and remote councils (see Appendix 2 of the Program guidelines) may also seek a concession on the required applicant contribution to a proposed project under either funding stream (section 5.3 of Program guidelines).

Will funding of transport costs be considered under the RRBF?

Yes. Eligible expenses (section 5.1 of the Program guidelines) allows for specific transport costs.

Applicants may seek funding for delivery of new infrastructure to a project site, or movement of mobile infrastructure e.g. shredders or balers, between sites where this mobile infrastructure has been approved under the RRBF and the infrastructure is being used to achieve the objectives of the RRBF.

In addition, up to five per cent of approved project funding can be used for material transport costs where materials are being moved to or from a service or facility that is established under the RRBF. This may include, for example, the council related costs of transporting mixed paper/cardboard to a new facility funded under the RRBF for separation; or the transport of baled cardboard from the new facility established under the RRBF to another facility for further processing.

Will further rounds of funding be available?

Yes. A total of $130 million has been announced for the RRBF. $60 million of the available funding is being made available under Round 1. Further Program rounds will be announced in due course, and it should be noted that program elements including program objectives, eligibility and funding may change from those included in Program guidelines for Round 1.

Are grants under the RRBF subject to GST?

Activities funded under the RRBF do not involve the supply of goods or services by grant recipients to the department, therefore grant funding provided under the RRBF is not subject to GST.

Applicants are responsible for their own GST obligations incurred through the delivery of their project.

For advice on GST, please seek assistance from the Australian Tax Office.

What happens if the cost of a project increases over time?

Approved grant funding amounts are fixed and will not increase due to inflation, tariffs, delays or other price variations during the project. It will be the responsibility of the applicant and project partners to assess the risk and cover any additional costs incurred after funding amounts have been approved by the department.

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

Are civil construction costs that are essential to the project (e.g. earthworks associated with buildings, foundations of a new facility, ponds or drainage associated with a new composting facility) eligible costs under the RRBF?

These costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis, recognising that each project will be different. In general, civil construction costs that are directly related to the project, e.g. drainage requirements for a composting facility, will be eligible. Please contact the department if you would like to discuss specific details.

In applying for other grants I have been required to provide a contingency in the project cost estimate, but contingency costs are not eligible under the RRBF. How should I deal with project contingencies?

The application will require you to provide a budget detailing all project costs. Contingency costs are an expected item in a project budget and should be included where they are needed and relevant.

Contingency costs are ineligible under the RRBF, meaning that the Queensland Government will not provide grant funding to cover contingencies, but the contingency costs are able to be included within the applicant contribution to the project.

How should we calculate the applicant contribution to a Stream 1 small project where the project partners include regional councils (requiring a 40% applicant contribution) and one or more remote councils (with a lower 10% applicant contribution)?

In the case of a partnership project where at least one project partner is a remote council, it is acceptable for the total applicant contribution to be less than 40% of project costs. Where this is the case, the applicant should provide information that demonstrates how the contribution has been calculated.

One way to consider what each partner would contribute would be to divide the expected project benefits and calculate the contribution accordingly. For example:

  • Councils A and B are applying to undertake a partnership project
  • Council A is a regional council (minimum 40% contribution), Council B is a remote council (minimum 10% contribution)
  • The project value is $1 million
  • Council A is expecting to derive 80% of the overall project benefit, Council B is expecting to derive 20% of the overall project benefit
  • Council A’s contribution may be calculated as the contribution towards 80% of project costs (40% x 80% x $1 million), being $320,000
  • Council B’s contribution may be calculated as the contribution towards 20% of project costs (10% x 20% x $1 million), being $20,000.

There will be other ways to calculate contributions in partnership arrangements. Please contact the department if you would like to discuss specific details.

My regional council has very limited revenue streams and will not be able to meet the 40% applicant contribution to the project. Will a lower applicant contribution be accepted?

An applicant may choose to propose a contribution lower than the amount set out in section 5.3 of the Program guidelines. If there are specific reasons for the lower contribution, the applicant should outline these reasons, and they will be considered during the assessment process.

Applicants should be aware that projects will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria in the Program guidelines (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines), including value for money.

Can in-kind contributions include items listed under ineligible expenses?

Yes, as long as the contributed costs relate directly to delivery of the project. Examples include the value of council land if this is going to be used as the site for an infrastructure development, or staff costs to manage project delivery. An example of ineligible costs that would not be considered directly related to project delivery is the cost of solar panels that are installed on a facility to reduce ongoing operational costs.

Can the applicant contribution include retrospective expenditure?

The Program guidelines allow for consideration of projects that commenced after the Program was announced on 1 May 2025. If the retrospective expenditure relates directly to delivery of the project, and has occurred within the project timeframe, i.e. after 1 May 2025 when the project commenced and before a funding agreement is executed, the expenditure may be considered as part of the applicant contribution. Please contact the department if you would like to discuss specific details.

Is there a different applicant contribution amount that applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils?

The majority of Aboriginal councils and Torres Strait Island councils are defined as a remote council (see appendix 2 of the Program guidelines).

Section 5.3 of the Program guidelines provides that the minimum required applicant contribution for a remote council is lower than for a non-remote council. The minimum contribution by a remote council towards a small project is 10%; and the minimum contribution by a remote council towards a major project is 15%.

In addition, the Program guidelines provide that contributions below this amount may be considered. A remote council that proposes to contribute a lower amount should outline the reasons why the minimum contribution cannot be reached, and they will be considered during the assessment process.

It is important to note that an applicant contribution may include a direct financial contribution, in-kind contributions and direct project costs that are ineligible for funding. The broad scope of inclusions in the applicant contribution may assist in reaching the standard contribution amounts.

Applicants should be aware that projects will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria in the Program guidelines (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines), including value for money.

Is the 5% transport component of funding included within the total funding sought, or in addition to the funding sought?

If an applicant is seeking funding for eligible transport costs, this should be itemised in the project budget and included in total project costs and total grant funding sought.

Evidence of all project costs, including costs of transport, will need to be provided for project acquittal at the completion of the project.

How do I apply for the program?

Applications will open on 13 October 2025 and links to the application forms will be posted on the department’s website.

Applications will be submitted using SmartyGrants, the department’s online grants administration program. Please note that the two funding streams will have different application forms. It is your responsibility to ensure that you apply under the correct funding stream based on your project and your funding request.

What is the application deadline?

The two funding streams have different application deadlines.

  • Stream 1 applications will close at 3pm on 11 December 2025.
  • Stream 2 applications will close at 3pm on 29 January 2026.

Please note that these are strict deadlines and no extensions will be provided.

Can I submit more than one application?

Program guidelines provide that, under Round 1 of the RRBF, councils may participate in up to two (2) projects, either as the lead applicant or a partner council, across the available funding streams. This means that an applicant could seek funding under one or both funding streams. Where an applicant applies for funding for two projects, at least one of these projects needs to be a joint project.

If a council submits, or is a partner on, more than two applications, the council may be required to choose which application/s proceed to the assessment process.

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

What information does the letter of commitment from the project partner/s need to contain?

Section 6.2 of the Program guidelines outlines the documents that will be required for the application. The letter of commitment should confirm the project partner’s intent to be involved in the project, and the partner contribution to the project.

The application form will prompt the applicant to provide other details such as the benefits each applicant will derive from the project and the governance arrangements in place between project partners.

Will applications be considered if a letter of approval from the applicant or project partner/s is not available by the application close date?

Yes, applicants will be provided an additional four weeks following the application close date to provide council approval of their proposed project. If you intend to submit council approval after the application close date, please email the department at OWRRPrograms@detsi.qld.gov.au when you submit your application to confirm that council approval will follow.

How are applications assessed?

Applications will be assessed by an assessment panel established by the department. The panel includes representatives external to the department, and technical input may also be sought from third-party specialists.

Applications will be subject to eligibility and completeness checks to ensure that applications comply with Program guidelines and all required information has been provided.

Each application will be subject to a detailed assessment against the Program assessment criteria (section 7.1 of the Program guidelines), so it is important that you address each of the points in detail and provide supporting information where available.

The department will undertake due diligence searches including relevant financial and environmental compliance checks.

The Director-General of the department will make the final decision in relation to project approvals.

What criteria are used to determine successful applications?

Applications submitted against the two funding streams will be assessed independently of each other, however they will both be assessed against the same criteria (see section 7.1 of the Program guidelines). The assessment criteria are:

  • alignment with program objectives (40%)
  • value for money (25%)
  • regional and community benefit (25%)
  • project management and governance (10%).

Priority consideration will be given to projects that:

  • are ready to commence within 6 months of execution of a funding agreement
  • are delivered under partnership arrangements with multiple councils or with the private sector.

An applicant’s past performance in relation to the management of grant funding provided by the department may also be taken into consideration.

When will I be notified of the outcome?

Following completion of the department’s assessment process, funding recommendations will be made to the department’s Director-General who is the financial delegate and will make the final decision on the funding of proposals. The department will provide written advice to all applicants regarding the outcome of their application following relevant approvals.

It is expected that successful Stream 1 projects will be announced in the first half of 2026, and successful Stream 2 projects will be announced in the second half of 2026.

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

What information should I provide for each of the assessment criteria?

Section 7.1 of the Program guidelines provides a breakdown of each assessment criterion. The points under each criterion can be used by applicants to ensure that they are providing the detail that will be required to assess the application.

The dot points under each criterion may be a useful checklist as you complete your application.

How will the regional weighting of a project be assessed?

Section 7.1 of the Program guidelines provides a breakdown of each assessment criterion. Assessment against criterion 3 (regional and community weighting) will involve consideration of how the proposed project will:

  • provide direct and indirect benefits to regional or remote Queensland
  • provide benefits across multiple council areas
  • support local resource recovery
  • provide for local job creation and/or capacity building
  • support local business, industry and/or end markets
  • deliver community benefits.

The application form will guide you through providing information to address these dot points. You should include as much detail as possible to strengthen your application.

The Queensland Government is encouraging eligible applicants to consider partnership arrangements, including partnerships with other councils, or private sector partnerships.

What happens if my application is successful?

If your application is successful, you will be notified of your success in writing and officers from the department will contact you to develop a funding agreement. This agreement will outline project and funding milestones as well as governance and reporting requirements.

Following this, project details will be listed on the department’s website.

When will the grant funding be available?

Funding will only be released when the grant agreement has been signed by both parties, and respective funding milestones have been met.

Grant funding will be paid in instalments against specific milestones identified within the contract. The final instalment will be withheld until the project is complete and has been acquitted to the department’s satisfaction.

Will there be conditions attached to the funding?

Yes, recipients must adhere to reporting requirements, maintain financial records, and fulfil all project delivery obligations that will be set out in the funding agreement.

What are the deadlines for completing projects funded under the grant?

Stream 1 (small) projects must be completed within 18 months of execution of a funding agreement.

Stream 2 (major) projects must be completed within 3 years of execution of a funding agreement.

Priority will be given to projects that can commence within 6 months of execution of a funding agreement.

Can I make changes to my project after it is approved?

Yes. However any variations to the funding agreement need to be applied for in writing to the department. It is at the absolute discretion of the department’s delegated officer to provide approval. No variation is to be implemented without the applicant first receiving written approval from the department.

Requests for variation will be reviewed against Program guidelines. Once agreed, a deed of variation will be executed to reflect approved changes to the project scope.

What should I do if my project is delayed?

You should discuss project delays with the department to understand the options and policies around project extension. Any delays should be raised with the department as soon as you become aware of them.

9 October 2025: Additional FAQs

What activity is considered to be the commencement of a project?

This will be different between projects, but may include activities such as ordering equipment, commencing earthworks or tendering for an activity. Once projects are approved, the department will work through contract details with successful applicants. This will include the development of project specific milestones that will detail the activities and deliverables against project timeframes.

What reporting requirements will apply to grant funding?

All grant recipients will be required to submit quarterly progress/milestone reports as per the department’s requirements, and the final report and acquittal must be provided within 8 weeks after the project is completed. All grant recipients will be required to maintain full financial records of expenditure relating to the grant (including, but not limited to, profit and loss statement and receipts for expenditure) which may be requested by the department in acquitting the grant.

How do I acquit the grant funding?

Acquittal involves submitting a detailed acquittal report demonstrating how the funds have been used in alignment with the funding agreement. This will require copies of invoices showing proof of purchase of goods and services for eligible project costs. The department may require an audited financial statement in some circumstances.

How will my personal information be handled?

The information collected through the application process is used for assessing your application and preparing a funding agreement, should your application be successful. This information will only be provided to specified parties for this purpose and where necessary. The department will seek your consent for any uses or disclosures outside of these specific terms. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the privacy of your personal information, please contact the department’s Privacy Services unit by email privacy@detsi.qld.gov.au

Who can I contact for further assistance?

If you experience technical difficulties creating a SmartyGrants account or completing an online form, contact SmartyGrants on (03) 9320 6888 or email service@smartygrants.com.au

For further information specific to the Program, contact the Program Design and Delivery Team within the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling at OWRRPrograms@detsi.qld.gov.au