Faster Assessments Incentive Program Round 1

The Faster Assessments Incentive Program is an evidence-based, competitive grant program that rewards high and medium growth councils for reducing and maintaining low average development assessment timeframes.

Round 1 rewards eligible councils for their performance during the 2024‑25 financial year.

Eligible projects must meet the eligibility and assurance criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines, including: 

• Service new homes: The project enables/supports new housing in the LGA
• Strategic merit: The project is justified with reference to existing strategic planning documents
• Deliverability: The project is technically sound and can be completed within the Housing Accord Period (by 30 June 2029).

For more information on the Faster Assessment Program, please visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/faster-assessments-program

Before you start the form, please ensure you have read the Program Guidelines. 

Please ensure you follow the below instructions when completing your online nomination form: 

• there is an automatic time out on the online form every 20 minutes. Please ensure you regularly save your nomination form every 15 minutes to prevent loss of data 

• if you wish to save a draft of your nomination form and come back to it, please click ‘save and close’ on the top right hand side of the screen. You can return to complete your form through the ‘My Submissions’ option 

• once submitted, your form cannot be changed. Please ensure all field are completed correctly and all attachments are uploaded before submitting your nomination  

• once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted nomination form attached. If you have not received a confirmation email, please ensure your form was submitted correctly 

• for all attachments uploaded your nomination form, please use the following naming convention:  

FAIP – Council name  – Project Name – Attachment name  

Please note attachments are limited to 25MB each.  

If you require assistance with completing the online nomination form, please refer to the SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants.

If you have any further questions about using this form or the grant process, please email FAIP@dphi.nsw.gov.au

Note to applicants: Information provided as part of this nomination form will be used to prepare a project plan for the purpose of the project’s funding agreement.

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
• it has read the funding guidelines for the program and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

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

• if this project application is successful, the relevant details of the project will be made public, including details such as the names of the organisation (applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded
• the department will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act)
• 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.

Please declare this application meets the program eligibility criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines, including:

• each successful council can nominate a maximum of one project
• the project is specific to the Local Government Area of the successful council
• the application must demonstrate that project delivery is achievable by 30 June 2029
• the funding requested by the project complies with the program funding caps
• grant funding will not be used for ineligible expenditure items
• the project can be operated and maintained beyond the funding period
• applicants will notify the department if grant funding is secured from another source.