Community native fish stocking grants program

Key Information

Status: Closed
Total grant value: $550,000 (GST inclusive)
Individual grant value: TBD following assessment
Applications open: 30 January 2026
Applications close: 27 March 2026 (bass), 9 May 2026 (cod/perch)

Objectives

The community native fish stocking grants program provides two dollars in funds for every one dollar in funds offered by community groups to stock native fish (Australian Bass, Murray Cod, Golden Perch) into rivers and dams across NSW. The objectives of the program are to support local communities in the stocking of high value native fish to protect and enhance our valuable state-wide recreational fisheries. The program also supports the development of regional aquaculture ventures which produce high quality fish stock for release into public waters to benefit recreational fishers.

Eligibility

Who can apply (applicant)

Individuals, non-government and not-for-profit groups undertaking approved fish stocking activities in NSW public waters (a group includes a fishing club or other community service organisation).
NSW councils and local government agencies.
Commercial fish hatcheries accredited under the Hatchery Quality Assurance Scheme (to supply fish for the program)

Who can’t apply

State or Federal-government agencies or committees.
Organisations or businesses that may or will realise a commercial gain.

Type of project funded under this grant (primary activity)

Native fish stocking

What you can’t apply for:

To stock species other than Australian Bass, Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
To stock waterways that are inaccessible to the public.
To stock native fish species from unaccredited fish hatcheries.
To stock native fish species in waters outside of NSW or in private waters (e.g. farm dams).

What your application needs to include

Prepare your application with this checklist

Prior to your application, you will need to ensure the following:

Identify your funding source
- Ensure you have the minimum funds required (see eligibility criteria) to participate in the program
Identify your fish stocking sites
- Public Access: Fish stocking sites must be publicly accessible
- Suitability: Receiving waters must be suitable for fish survival (stocking sites should have good water quality and provide fish with good habitat for cover, shelter, food and protection from predators).
- Species distribution: Stocking sites must be located within the natural range of the species to be stocked

Address the eligibility criteria

The application must be completed in its entirety.
The application must be submitted prior to the closing date.
Applicants will need to offer between $2,000 and $6,000 (GST inclusive) in funding to be eligible.
Only one application per individual or group may be submitted per funding round.
Applicants must act under the authority of a fish stocking permit issued by the Department and Primary Industries and Regional Development - Fisheries.
Fish to be stocked are to be purchased from a commercial fish hatchery accredited under the Hatchery Quality Assurance Scheme (HQAS).

Address the assessment criteria

All eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

Applications will be prioritised in order of submission
Waters to be stocked provide suitable public access
Fish are suitable for stocking in receiving waters
Financial amount offered
Location of proposed release site(s) including GPS co-ordinates
Compliance with fish stocking assessment guidelines

Fish being stocked from bucket

Start the application

If you are interested in stocking Australian Bass in public waters in NSW on a two- dollar-for-one-dollar basis during the 2026/27 season, please complete an online application form by Friday 29 March 2026.

Online application form: Apply now
Australian Bass sample application (for reference only)

If you are interested in stocking Murray Cod and/or Golden Perch in public waters in NSW on a two-dollar-for-one-dollar basis during the 2026/27 season, please complete the online application form by Saturday 9 May 2026.

Online application form: Apply now
Murray Cod/Golden Perch sample application (for reference only)

Fingerling in hand

After the application is submitted

Assessment of proposals

The application will be assessed against the specific criteria of the Fish Stocking Fishery Management Strategy (including interactions between stocked species and threatened species), and the applicant will be notified on the outcome of their application. Fish stocking may be restricted in some areas. If a proposal does not meet assessment guidelines, applicants will be asked to consider alternative stocking sites.

Notification, ordering and permit

If the application is approved, the applicant will be notified of the terms and conditions for the program and will be provided with a purchase order for ordering fish with commercial hatcheries. The applicant will then need to submit their completed purchase order before receiving a specific fish stocking permit (in accord with section 216 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994) and safe fish transport and release guidelines, for the upcoming event.

Supply, delivery and stocking

The stocking group and the hatchery are responsible for arranging the supply of the fish for stocking into waters approved under the permit. The group must then provide verification advice to Fisheries notifying that the stocking event has been completed.

Payment

Applicants must pay fish suppliers the amounts offered in their applications inclusive of delivery costs and GST (“the $1 component”). Fisheries will remit remaining funds, inclusive of GST [“the $2 component”] to fish suppliers once fish are dispatched for stocking.

Travel subsidy

Applicants that travel to collect fish from fish suppliers for stocking will be eligible to receive fuel cards to assist with fuel expenses to and from fish stocking events. An invitation to apply for fuel cards will be circulated once fish stocking events have been completed.

Work Health and Safety

The stocking group must consider and manage possible risks associated with the activity to ensure its conducted safely and with due professional care and consideration. The stocking group must understand and comply with fish stocking permit conditions and the stocking code of practice (provided with the fish stocking permit).

Support and contact

Please refer any questions or enquiries to fish.stocking@dpird.nsw.gov.au

Fingerling in hand

Most recent recipients

https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/cnfs-australian-bass-2026/27

https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/cnfs-inland-natives-2026/27

See previous recipients

Map of fish stocking records

For the location of waters stocked under the Community native fish stocking grants program and other programs visit: https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/stocking