Frequently asked questions for the National On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

What are the key dates?

The rebate scheme is open for applicants who have undertaken eligible works from
1 July 2018 and will remain open until 30 April 2021 or until all the available funding is exhausted.

10 May 2019: Scheme opened in WA

30 April 2021: Final date for application submission

30 April 2021: Scheme closes in WA

When can I apply for rebate, and will there be funding rounds?

Applications must be submitted in the same financial year as the works are undertaken.

Schedule for rebate application submission

Scheme year reference	Purchased and installed eligible water infrastructure and works	Application must be submitted within these dates
2018–19	1 July 2018 through 30 June 2019	10 May 2019 through 30 June 2019
2019–20	1 July 2019 through 30 April 2020	1 July 2019 through 30 April 2020
2020–21	1 July 2020 through 30 April 2021	1 July 2020 through 30 April 2021

For each farm or pastoral business and eligible activities, there is no limit to the number of rebate applications or rebate payments allowable, but these must be for separate works, and the total rebate allowable is $25 000 per farm or pastoral business.

If farmers or pastoralists are unable to complete works and submit an application for a rebate within the application guidelines above, extensions may be determined on a case-by-case basis. The scheme will close on 30 April 2021 or when funding allocation is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

Who is eligible?

The National On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is open to all commercial livestock farmers and pastoralists in rural Western Australia, including properties connected to the reticulated scheme network.

How does a farmer apply for a rebate under the scheme?

You need to confirm eligibility for the rebate scheme. If eligible, you can then purchase and undertake works.
You apply for a rebate toward the costs of eligible activities online via the Application for Rebate link or via email using the PDF Application for rebate form. Supporting invoices and photographs must be lodged with application.

All rebates are paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the nominated bank account.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for the National On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, you must demonstrate:

You are property owner, share farmer or lease holder in the livestock industry.
You are a commercial farmer or pastoralist as defined by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
The commercial farm or pastoral lease operates under one of the approved industries (sheep, beef, dairy, general livestock or any combination of these).
You purchased and installed on-farm water infrastructure on farm for an animal welfare need and to improve resilience against livestock water deficiency.
The property where the new on-farm water infrastructure is purchased and installed is in rural Western Australia.
The purchase and installation of new on-farm livestock water infrastructure occurred after 30 June 2018.
Your application for rebate is only for the purchase and installation of eligible water infrastructure and activities.

Please refer to the Information for applicants for further information.

What is the maximum rebate that a farmer can receive under the scheme?

The maximum rebate is up to $25 000 per farm or pastoral business.

Can I make additional application(s) for rebate if I have already received a rebate(s) for less than $25 000 total?

Yes, for each farm or pastoral business and all eligible activities, there is no limit to the number of rebate applications or rebate payments allowable, but these must be for separate works and the total rebate allowable is $25 000 per farm or pastoral business.

What financial contribution is required from the applicant?

Farmers and/or pastoralists are required to contribute a minimum of 75 per cent of the cost of eligible activities.

What is the maximum time available for the completion of projects?

Applications for rebate will be received and assessed after works have been completed.

Rebates must be claimed within the same financial year as works are undertaken.

What type of activities will be funded through the scheme?

Eligible water infrastructure works under this scheme include:

Pipes and other materials, fittings or equipment necessary to install stock water distribution infrastructure, excluding purchase of machinery.
Water storage devices (tanks and troughs) associated with stock watering.
Water pumps and associated distribution systems.
De-silting works of existing dams by contractor using contractor’s own equipment.
Drilling of new stock bores and bore pump tests to confirm yield and water quality suitable for stock.
Power sources to distribute water to livestock watering points (including generators, windmills and solar).
Freight costs to purchase and install equipment.
Professional installation costs to establish the water infrastructure.

Note: Rebates will not be paid without evidence the eligible activities have been paid in full. Evidence may include itemised tax receipts and invoices, bank transaction records or online payment statements.

If the eligible item or activity is not clearly noted on invoices, the applicant must provide a description of items including, for example, size of tank (litres or kilolitres), diameter and length of pipe, and depth of bore.

Is there a maximum claim limit on each eligible item or activity?

There is no limit on the number of items, and there is no per item limit.

The rebate available is 25 per cent of the cost of purchase, delivery and, if applicable, the labour costs to engage a person to install livestock water infrastructure. The maximum rebate payment is $25 000 for all eligible items.

Do I need approval to drill a bore?

Not always, but you need to check with your local Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office to determine whether you need a licence.

For more information call 1800 508 885.

What items are not eligible for rebates?

Construction or upgrade of an existing dam or catchment.
Wages for your employees or your self-assessed labour costs.
Water infrastructure that is not intended for livestock.
Items purchased prior to 1 July 2018.
Fencing of dams or mains power to water pump equipment.
Water infrastructure works or costs already funded under other federal program(s).

I bought my own excavator to de-silt my dams. Can I claim this expense?

No, this rebate explicitly excludes the purchase of machinery.

What dates can I start claiming the rebate? Can I claim work I did in the past?

You can claim invoices for goods or services that are dated on or after 1 July 2018. This date is determined by the Australian government and is not open to negotiation at a state level.

Schedule for rebate application submission

Scheme year reference	Purchased and installed eligible water infrastructure and works	Application must be submitted within these dates
2018–19	1 July 2018 through 30 June 2019	10 May 2019 through 30 June 2019
2019–20	1 July 2019 through 30 April 2020	1 July 2019 through 30 April 2020
2020–21	1 July 2020 through 30 April 2021	1 July 2020 through 30 April 2021

Can I claim equipment purchased before 1 July 2018 if the work did not start until after 1 July 2018?

No, the work undertaken must link to expenses incurred and this must be on or after 1 July 2018.

How are rebates calculated?

Rebates are set at 25 per cent of the costs of the purchase and installation of water infrastructure for delivery of water to livestock, to a maximum of $25 000 per farm enterprise.

On-farm water supply improvements for which a rebate is claimed must be installed as specified and paid for in full. Invoices or itemised receipts submitted to claim a rebate must be original or certified original documents and contain the following information:

supplier’s name
supplier’s ABN and contact details
purchase date
purchaser’s name and address
item details (make/model/size/quantity/capacity/description/etc.)
purchase, freight and installation costs showing the amount due as paid in full (for invoices which do not include this information, a copy of the payment receipt must be attached to the claimed invoice).

How are rebates paid?

All rebates will be paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) direct to the successful applicant’s nominated bank account.

What about GST?

All rebates paid by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation are subject to GST.

An applicant not registered for GST and unable to provide a valid, active ABN will not be eligible to claim rebates.

Are tax invoices required for rebate payment?

In certain circumstances, the agency making the payment (the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation) can raise a tax invoice on behalf of an applicant (supplier). This is known as a recipient created tax invoice. The department will issue these invoices on behalf of the applicant at the time of each rebate payment.

The department will provide the applicant with a copy of the recipient created tax invoice showing the amount of GST payable to the Australian Taxation Office. The applicant, not the department, is responsible for remitting the amount of GST shown on the recipient created tax invoice to the Australian Tax Office via their Business Activity Statement.

Note: The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation does not provide taxation or legal advice. You should not rely on any GST information contained in this booklet. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you seek expert advice on tax invoice requirements, the GST registration process and the general application of the GST to your business.

How do I know if my application is successful?

Once your application has been assessed you will receive a letter/email advising you on the outcome, or requesting further information