Industry Funding Schemes
Produce for today, protect for tomorrow.
Cattle
Sheep & Goat
Grain, Seeds & Hay
Safeguarding Western Australia's Agriculture
Welcome to Industry Funding Schemes (IFS) – a powerful effort fuelled by industry support and steered by industry stakeholders. With three tailored schemes for grains, seeds & hay, sheep & goat, and cattle, the IFS addresses pest and disease threats in agriculture in Western Australia.
Each scheme is managed by an Industry Management Committee, composed of dedicated producers and growers. As a crucial link between industry and government, IFS collaborates closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) who manage the BAM regulation list and deliver impactful programs.
Our core mission is identifying and tackling agricultural threats, emphasising biosecurity programs aligned with industry priorities. Join us as we work to fortify the livelihoods of WA producers and growers, ensuring a resilient and thriving agricultural community.
We’re Currently Seeking New Committee Members
Each of the Industry Funding Schemes are managed by an Industry Management Committee (IMC), composed of dedicated producers, growers, and those with an interest in the industry and/or supply chain. Each IFS addresses agricultural pest and disease threats in Western Australia that align with industry priorities.
The Grains, Seeds & Hay IFS is seeking two representatives, particularly those who have experience in managing skeleton weed, while the Sheep & Goat IFS has one arising vacancy. The Cattle IFS is also accepting expressions of interest from people who would like to participate in the future, as vacancies arise.
Western Australian producers and others involved in the beef, dairy, grain, seed, hay, sheep and/or goat industries are encouraged to get involved.
Further information on the three Industry Funding Schemes can be found below, or by viewing the DPIRD Industry Funding Schemes website.
If you would like to be considered for future appointment as an IFS Management Committee Member, please view the IMC Appointment Guidelines and click the button below to register your interest via the DPIRD SmartyGrants platform before 8pm Monday 12th May 2025.
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Industry
Funding
Scheme
Cattle
Contribution
Producers pay a $0.20 contribution on the sale of all cattle/carcasses produced within the State.
Current programs
Johne’s disease
Bovine tuberculosis
Enzootic bovine leucosis
Management of potential future incursions of other pests/diseases
Resources Links
Industry
Funding
Scheme
Sheep & Goat
Contribution
Producers pay a $0.17 contribution on the sale of all sheep and goats (live or carcasses) produced within the State.
Current programs
Virulent footrot
Wild dogs
Management of potential future incursions of other pests/diseases
Resources Links
Industry
Funding
Scheme
Grain, Seeds & Hay
Contribution
Growers pay a $0.25 contribution on the first sale of every tonne of grain and seed produced within the South West Land Division, and $0.125 cents per tonne on the first sale of every tonne of hay produced within the South West Land Division.
Current programs
Skeleton weed
Three-horned bedstraw
Management of potential future incursions of other pests/diseases
Resources Links
Latest News
Industry Funding Scheme Cattle - Communique
The Cattle Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee (Cattle IMC) met on 14 November 2024 for the final IMC meeting for the year.
The Committee initiated informal discussions with the Biosecurity Council of WA. Dr. Tracy Sullivan attended our meeting outlining the role of the Biosecurity Council. Possible synergies and opportunities in the area of biosecurity and increasing stakeholder engagement were discussed.
The Committee received the Quarter 1 (Q1) for 2024-25 National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Helpdesk operation report. The Committee continues to work with DPIRD to ensure a smooth transition to an alternative management plan following the resignation of Mr. Jack Nixon.
A Heartfelt Thank You To IFS Chairs
The Industry Funding Schemes (IFS) of Cattle; Grains; Sheep and Goat extend their gratitude for the leadership, dedication, governance, and valued contributions made by the three outgoing Chairs during their appointment terms.
Their work has contributed to the Schemes success to support these industries and protect their future.
(Three Chairs left to right in images above)
1. Debbie Dowden: Cattle IFS (2019 - 2024)
2. Anne Wilkins: Grains IFS (2019 - 2024)
3. Karen Smith: Sheep and Goat IFS (2019 - 2024)
Industry Funding Scheme Committees Seeking New Members
The State’s three Industry Funding Schemes’ (IFS) Management Committees are seeking new members to play a crucial role in addressing pest and disease threats throughout Western Australia.
Expressions of interest are now open to fill three vacancies to commence in July and people interested in future opportunities are also encouraged to register.
Expressions of Interest close 8pm, Monday 12 May 2025.
For more information click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The three Industry Funding Schemes (IFS) of Cattle; Grains, Seeds and Hay; and Sheep and Goat; commenced on 1 July 2010. The Schemes use funding arrangements authorised under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) to allow industry to raise funds to address priority pest and disease threats relevant to these industries.
An Industry Management Committee oversees the management of each Scheme. Members of the committees include participants in the Schemes (that is, producers), appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
For more information, download our infographic here.
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In consultation with industry, the Management Committees determine which priority pest and disease threats require action and what IFS contributions will be needed from industry to tackle the problem. This allows producers to raise funds to self-manage priority pests and diseases that may affect the viability and sustainability of their industries
Priority pests and diseases addressed by an IFS must be a declared pest in Western Australia. This means that they have been declared under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) and registered on the Western Australian Organism List (WAOL).
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IFS contributions can be allocated by the Industry Management Committee to programs that address the priority pest/disease in terms of control; research and development for advancement of control; and/or compensation.
The regulations enabling the Industry Funding Schemes are available at the Western Australian Legislation website.
IFS Regulations
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Industry Funding Scheme (Cattle) Regulations 2010
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Industry Funding Scheme (Grains) Regulations 2010
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Industry Funding Scheme (Sheep and Goats) Regulations 2010
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Western Australian producers and others involved in the beef, dairy, grain, seed, hay, sheep and goat industries or supply chains are encouraged to apply for IFS Committee positions.
Guidelines for expressions of interest and the selection criteria can be found here.
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Both the IFS and RBGs work to address biosecurity concerns in Western Australia.
IFS: The Cattle IFS; and Sheep and Goat IFS operate statewide. The Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS operate in the agricultural areas of WA*. These three schemes are funded by industry, for industry, through IFS contributions raised by producers, to fund programs to self-manage priority pests and disease that could impact their industry.
RBG: Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) are community-based biosecurity groups that help landholders manage declared pests on their properties. Each RBG operates across a local government area/s, and combined, cover most of the geography of the State. Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) focus on localised challenges and are funded through a land-based rating scheme with funds raised matched by the WA Government. RBG’s tailor their efforts to the needs of their specific geographic area and community.
* Agricultural areas defined to include all local government districts of WA except for those comprising the Kimberley (Broome, Halls Creek, Derby-West Kimberley and Wyndham-East Kimberley) and the pastoral area (Ashburton, Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Cue, Dundas, East Pilbara, Exmouth, Laverton, Leonora, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Meekatharra, Menzies, Mount Magnet, Murchison, Ngaanyatjarraku, Port Hedland, City of Karratha, Roebourne, Sandstone, Shark Bay, Upper Gascoyne, Wiluna and Yalgoo).
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IFS contributions are mandatory in the first instance.
Producers who wish to opt out of the Industry Funding Schemes must do so each year. A formal ‘Notice to opt out form’ must be completed and submitted to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development between 1 to 30 June.
Producers who decide to opt out lose all entitlements to assistance and compensation via the Scheme. They are also required under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to manage the pests and diseases to which the Scheme relates at their own expense.
See Opting Out for details.