Forestry Industry Worker Support Program

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This is a preview of the FI - Worker Support Program Application form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Before you start

* indicates a required field.

Make sure you read the program guidelines or visit Establishing the Great Koala National Park website for more information.

Forestry Industry Worker Support Program aims to provide short-term targeted financial support to eligible individuals.

  • Up to $9,000 is available for education and training expenses per approved individual and/or
  • Up to $45,000 is available for relocation expenses per approved individual, if they have moved to a new residence more than 50 kilometres away.
  • Program funding is limited, and application will be considered in order of data received.

Key Dates

  • Applications open: 11 November 2025
  • Applications close: Applications must be submitted within 12 months from the date redundancy is confirmed, or by 4pm on 7 March 2028, whichever occurs first.
  • Claims close: Successful applicants may submit claims for eligible costs within 18 months from the date on which redundancy is confirmed, or by 4pm on 7 September 2028, whichever occurs first.

Handy Hints

  • If you have all documentation ready, the application should take approximately 30 minutes for you to complete.
  • Ensure that your documents are scanned individually as they will need to be uploaded to specific sections throughout the form.
  • Please note that the online form has file size restrictions (approx. 20MB total) for each attachment please ensure the file size is 2.5MB or less to avoid submission issues.
  • If you need assistance with submitting your application, please contact NSW Fisheries and Forestry on 1800 678 593 or send email to forestryindustrysupport@dpird.nsw.gov.au. 

Instructions for Applicants

Application Number is your Case Number for future reference and claims.

Before completing this application form, you should have read the program guidelines. Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

This field is read only. 

Document Checklist

You will be required to upload a number of documents during this application.
Clear the selected value for You will be required to upload a number of documents during this application.

Disclaimer

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
  • it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and the Department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected; and
  • it has read the program Guidelines and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

Use of Information

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • the Department is required to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (the Privacy Act) and that any personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) collected by the Department in relation to the program will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and its privacy policy (available at: https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/privacy);
  • the information it provides to the Department in connection with this application will be collected and stored on a database and will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected (including, where necessary, being disclosed to other Government agencies in connection with the assessment of the merits of an application) or as otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act.

Privacy Notice

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • the Department will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act); and
  • in some circumstances the Department may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.

Eligibility Confirmation

To be eligible for the Forestry Industry Worker Support Program, you must meet the eligibility requirements set out in the program guidelines and summarised below:
  • You were an employee of a business with a wood supply agreement that was directly impacted by the announcement of a moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park
  • You were made redundant within 18 months of the moratorium announcement and have been provided with an Employment Separation Certificate or other equivalent documentation confirming your redundancy from the impacted business
  • You currently reside, or, at the time of the moratorium announcement, you resided in one of the eligible NSW North Coast local government areas (LGAs), including:
    • Ballina
    • Bellingen
    • Byron
    • Clarence Valley
    • Coffs Harbour
    • Kempsey
    • Kyogle
    • Lismore
    • Nambucca
    • Port Macquarie-Hastings
    • Richmond Valley
    • Tweed

Please refer to the program guidelines for detailed eligibility criteria.

Declaration

Before applying for this program, you must confirm that you have read and understood the Program Guidelines for Forestry Industry Worker Support Program and are you eligible according to the criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines.

I confirm that I am eligible according to the criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines * Required