The Cook Government has opened a third round of its Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program, offering a $500,000 pool of funding to help Western Australian landholders investigate and plan new carbon farming projects. The program provides vouchers of up to $15,000, designed to cover the cost of professional advice, de-risking the entry into what can be a complex but potentially valuable new revenue stream for farm and station owners.
Breaking Down the Barriers to Entry
Carbon farming, which involves changing land management practices to store more carbon in the soil and vegetation or to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, presents a significant opportunity for farm diversification. However, the technical and financial feasibility of projects can be a major barrier for individual operators. This program directly addresses that challenge by providing two tiers of support. Vouchers of up to $5,000 are available for initial feasibility studies to explore options, potential returns, and business risks. For those ready to proceed, vouchers of up to $15,000 can be used to develop a detailed project design and implementation plan.
A Strategic Move for Farm Diversification and Resilience
The program is a key part of the government’s strategy to help the agricultural sector build more resilient and sustainable businesses. By integrating carbon farming, operators can not only create a new source of income through the sale of carbon credits but can also achieve significant co-benefits. These can include improved soil health, increased biodiversity, better water retention, and the creation of shelterbelts for livestock, all of which contribute to the long-term productivity and sustainability of the farm. For agritourism operators, a registered carbon project can also become a powerful marketing tool, demonstrating a tangible commitment to environmental stewardship that resonates strongly with modern travellers.
In the official announcement, Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis stated, “Interest in carbon farming continues to grow in WA and this is one of several Cook Government investments supporting our farmers to diversify income, reduce emissions, increase returns on less productive land, and deliver co-benefits.” The program has already committed over $1 million to 90 projects in its previous two rounds, indicating strong interest and uptake from the sector.
How to Prepare Your Application
Operators interested in applying should consider which parts of their property might be suitable for a project, such as revegetating cleared areas, changing soil management practices, or protecting existing native bushland. The vouchers are intended to connect farmers with the professional expertise needed to turn these ideas into concrete, evidence-based plans. The WAAA encourages members to view this as a strategic business development opportunity.
Applications for Round 3 close at 12 pm (AWST) on Friday, 19 September 2025. For more information on the program and to access application forms, please visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website at www.dpird.wa.gov.au/cfvp.
