Federal Government’s $45.5m live export transition assistance program - co design workshop

In October 2024, the Federal Government announced a transition package of $139.7 million for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea. The package includes $45.5 million for programs to be co-designed with the industry to assist sheep producers and the associated supply chain in preparing for the phase out.

AVA has been invited to nominate representatives to participate in the co-design workshops. Facilitated by DAFF, these workshops will help to inform the government about the delivery of programs to ensure sheep producers and the supply chain prepare for the phase out of live sheep exports by sea when trade ends in 2028.

AVA was invited to nominate 2 or 3 members to participate in the co-design workshops held at locations across Western Australia or online. The workshops will focus on the sheep meat trade logistics in WA (such as transitioning sheep flock genetics and nutrition to fit the local sheep meat trade, cropping and on-farm containment feeding, additional markets, and abattoir capacity for additional sheep processing).  The ban's merits and the live export trade are not in scope.

AVA consulted with the SCGV and ACV SIGs to identify and nominate the most appropriate attendees. AVA has also spoken with AVAWE and the WA Division to inform them of the DAFF workshops.

Once all the co-design workshops have been completed, a report of the findings and recommendations will be drafted and shared with representatives from the supply chain for validation and input.

Upon finalisation of the validation process, the report will be shared with the government. It will inform the government's consideration of how transition funding can best be allocated to support the industry through the transition.

From there, the government will agree on final programs, with programs expected to open in the 2025–26 financial year.

Read more from DAFF about the Co-design of assistance measures for transition