Portfolio — 20 March 2026

**Live sheep export phase-out: transition grants announced**

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP, announced $10.8 million in grant funding under the Farm Business Transition program to assist sheep producers preparing for the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea [TA-260320-agricu-a1fec8777af0]. The program has produced 180 successful applications, with each recipient eligible for up to $75,000 to develop business plans or adopt alternative farming systems [TA-260320-agricu-a1fec8777af0].

A parallel measure, the Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program, will provide $1.5 million in total. Of this, $691,117 has already been awarded to 20 transport operators, with individual grants of up to $40,000 [TA-260320-agricu-a1fec8777af0].

The government has set 1 May 2028 as the target date for completing the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea. The announcement notes a 90 percent reduction in live sheep shipments over the past 20 years [TA-260320-agricu-a1fec8777af0].

**Portfolio approach**

The portfolio's approach centres on targeted transition grants designed to sustain the sheep industry while shifting production toward diversified and future-oriented operations [TA-260320-agricu-a1fec8777af0]. The two grant programs address different points in the live sheep export supply chain — one for producers, one for transport operators — signalling an integrated transition strategy rather than a single-instrument response.

With the 2028 deadline now roughly two years away, the funding round represents the most concrete operational step the minister has announced in this window toward meeting that commitment.