On Farm Connectivity Program
What Producers Need to Know
Farming increasingly relies on data – soil moisture, water levels, weather, stock movement, mapping. A lot of that technology depends on getting a reliable signal out to the paddock, the shed, or the bore. The Australian Government’s On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) exists to help primary producers close that gap, by rebating part of the cost of eligible connectivity and ag-tech equipment.
Here’s what the program is, where Round 3 currently stands, and what to expect if you’re thinking about taking part.
What is the On Farm Connectivity Program?
The OFCP is a rebate program run by the Australian Government, delivered through the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. It’s designed to help primary producers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries extend connectivity across their properties and take advantage of connected machinery, sensors and monitoring equipment.
The program runs in rounds. Rounds 1 and 2 have already been delivered – Round 2 alone provided $18 million in rebates and was fully subscribed within about a week of opening. Round 3 is the next round, backed by $10 million announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.
Where Round 3 currently stands
Round 3 is not yet open for producer applications. Here’s the timeline so far:
Expressions of interest from equipment suppliers wanting to be approved under the program closed on 12 June 2026.
The Department is now assessing those applications and finalising the official Round 3 guidelines.
Producer applications are expected to open once approved suppliers are confirmed – the Government has indicated this is likely around mid-2026, though no firm date has been set.
This page will be updated as more detail is confirmed. For the latest official information, visit the Department of Infrastructure’s OFCP page.
What you could get
Under previous rounds, eligible producers could claim a rebate of 50% of the purchase price of eligible equipment, up to a cap per producer ($30,000 in Round 2). For Round 3, the Government has confirmed rebates will be capped at $20,000 (GST exclusive) per producer – the exact percentage and full terms will be set out in the official Round 3 guidelines.
One change flagged for Round 3: priority is expected to go to producers who haven’t received an OFCP rebate in a previous round.
What equipment is likely to be eligible
The Government has indicated Round 3 will cover five broad categories of equipment:
- Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) equipment
- Connectivity equipment – routers, antennas, point-to-point and satellite links
- Environmental monitoring – soil moisture probes, weather stations, water level and flow monitoring
- Farm management technology
- Remote automation and control – pump and valve control
A full, confirmed list of eligible equipment and pricing will be published when Round 3 opens. The eligible equipment list from Round 2 does not automatically carry over – Round 3 will have its own list. It’s worth thinking now about which of these categories would make the biggest difference on your place.
Who's likely to be eligible
Final eligibility criteria for Round 3 haven’t been published yet. Based on previous rounds, producers have generally needed to:
- hold an ABN registered for primary production for at least 12 months
- operate an eligible primary production activity – agriculture, forestry or fisheries
- not be a hobby farmer
- fall within a set annual income range from primary production
We’ll update this page once Round 3’s final eligibility criteria are confirmed.
How the process works
Producers can’t apply for the rebate directly – the program works through Approved Suppliers of eligible equipment. In broad terms, the process looks like this:
- The supplier applies on the producer’s behalf and confirms their eligibility.
- Once approved, the producer purchases the eligible equipment, which the supplier delivers and installs.
- The supplier claims the rebate, which is generally passed on as a reduced price to the producer.
- It’s worth having a conversation with your equipment provider about what you’re after before the round opens, so you’re ready to move quickly once applications are live.
Why it's worth planning ahead
Round 2 funding ran out within about a week of opening. Round 3’s funding is lower than Round 2’s, and demand is expected to be strong, so it’s realistic that this round could close quickly too – potentially before every interested producer gets a chance to apply. There’s no guarantee of an extension, so producers who want to take part should be ready to act as soon as the round opens.
The producers who move fastest tend to be the ones who already know what they want before the round opens, rather than starting that thinking from scratch on day one. It’s worth taking a few minutes now to consider:
- Where do you spend time each week checking things in person – tank levels, troughs, gauges – that a sensor could tell you remotely?
- Are there decisions you’re making on a hunch rather than good data – irrigation timing, spraying windows, soil conditions?
- Do you already have a few devices out there, but no single, simple way to see it all in one place?
- Is there a part of the property you’d like mapped or better understood – boundaries, water points, ground cover, carrying capacity?
- Having a clear picture of what you want – and a rough budget – means you can move straight to a quote the moment applications open, instead of starting from a blank page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Round 3 open?
A: Not yet confirmed. The Government has indicated “mid-2026” as a guide, but no firm date has been set at time of writing.
Q: Do I need to already be a customer of a specific supplier?
A: No – but the rebate can only be claimed through a supplier formally approved under the program. It’s worth talking to your preferred equipment provider now about what you’re planning, so you’re ready when applications open.
Q: Can I get a rebate on equipment I've already bought?
A: No. Only equipment purchased after your application is approved is eligible – money spent beforehand won’t be covered.
Q: Can I apply if I received a rebate in a previous round?
A: Under Round 2, yes. For Round 3, the Government has flagged that priority may be given to producers who haven’t received a rebate before – final rules are still being confirmed.
Q: How much could I get back?
A: Rebates are expected to be up to 50% of the purchase price of eligible equipment, capped at $20,000 (GST exclusive) per producer for Round 3 – to be confirmed in the final guidelines.
Stay informed
Round 3 details are being finalised and will be confirmed by the Government in the coming months. Register your details to be notified the moment applications open – and in the meantime, it’s worth starting your own list of what you’d want to put through the program, so you’re ready to act as soon as it does. Get in touch if you have questions about connectivity and monitoring equipment for your property.
Information on this page is current as at 24 July 2026 and summarises publicly available information from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Program terms, dates, rebate amounts and eligible equipment for Round 3 have not been finalised and are subject to change. For official, up-to-date program details, visit infrastructure.gov.au.