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.
Survey launched to shape the future of biosecurity investment in WA’s grain, seeds and hay industries.
The Grain, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has launched a survey to gather input from Western Australia’s grain-growing sector, with the aim of strengthening biosecurity outcomes and future investment decisions.
The survey is designed for WA grain, seed and hay growers, as well as the agronomists and farm management consultants who support them. It will provide valuable insights into growers’ position and approach to on farm control and eradication of Skeleton Weed, industry sentiment around the current Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS contribution rate, and priority pests that may pose future production or profitability risks.
The survey is open year-round, so you can complete it anytime by clicking on the link below.
WA Cattle National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Helpdesk
Western Australia has a mandatory cattle identification and movement system to support livestock traceability, biosecurity and market access.
Cattle producers and livestock owners (including hobby farmers) are required to:
Register as an owner of livestock
Ensure cattle are correctly identified
Record all movements on the NLIS database
The WA NLIS Cattle Helpdesk is available to support producers in meeting their NLIS requirements.
For more information visit the WA Cattle NLIS website or contact the NLIS Helpdesk via 1800 255 366 or cattle.helpdesk@gmail.com
For regulatory enquiries, call the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on 1300 926 547.
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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 agricultural regions of WA, and $0.125 cents per tonne on the first sale of every tonne of hay produced within the agricultural regions of WA.
Current Programs
Skeleton weed
Three-horned bedstraw
Management of potential future incursions of other pests/diseases
Resources Links
Latest News
WA’s Cattle National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Helpdesk Transition
The WA Cattle NLIS Helpdesk has operated since the introduction of the NLIS and has been a valued resource for the WA cattle industry for more than 14 years.
The Helpdesk has provided additional assistance to help WA cattle producers understand and meet their NLIS and WA livestock traceability requirements. Compliance with Australia’s livestock traceability system is important to safeguard biosecurity and food safety and supports access to domestic and export markets for the WA industry.
Funded by WA cattle producers through the Cattle IFS, and the Cattle Industry Biosecurity and Food Safety Association, the WA helpdesk service has been provided by the DPIRD since its inception.
Survey launched to shape the future of biosecurity investment in WA’s grain, seeds and hay industries.
The Grain, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has launched a survey to gather input from Western Australia’s grain-growing sector, with the aim of strengthening biosecurity outcomes and future investment decisions.
The survey is designed for WA grain, seed and hay growers, as well as the agronomists and farm management consultants who support them. It will provide valuable insights into growers’ position and approach to on farm control and eradication of Skeleton Weed, industry sentiment around the current Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS contribution rate, and priority pests that may pose future production or profitability risks.
Grains, Seeds & Hay Industry Funding Scheme Committee Seeking New Members
The Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee is seeking two new members to play a crucial role in addressing pest and disease threats throughout Western Australia.
Expressions of interest are now open to fill the vacancies and commence in July. People interested in future opportunities are also encouraged to register their interest.
Expressions of interest close at 6pm on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
To apply, 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.