Licence fees at work

Recreational Fishing Trusts

All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Licence Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW. These trusts are regulated by law and two committees made up of recreational fishers - one for saltwater and one for freshwater - make recommendations on expenditure priorities.

Projects funded by the Trusts

The money placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts goes towards many different projects to improve recreational fishing.

Latest Trust Investment Plan 2024/25-2026/27 (December 2025) (PDF, 425.9 KB)

NSW Recreational Fishing Trust Annual Report 2024/25 (PDF, 6731.08 KB)

Apply for funds

Fast facts

Over 3,600 grants have been provided from the Recreational Fishing Trusts since 2001.
Many of these projects have been completed.
Almost 200 projects are currently underway.

Projects approved for funds within the Recreational Fishing Trusts Investment Plan 2021/22 to 2023/24 are as follows:

Recreational fishing enhancement programs - artificial reefs, FADs & fish stocking
Recreational fishing education - Fishcare volunteers, schools fishing and fishing workshops
Fishing facilities and access - fish cleaning tables & fishing platforms
Aquatic habitat rehabilitation - community grants
Enforcement of fishing rules - Fisheries officers
Research on fish and recreational fishing
Licence fee payment system & Trust management

How are the funding decisions made?

It is important that the Recreational Fishing Trusts are accountable to the community on how Trust funds are spent. The Trusts are overseen by angler committees - one for saltwater and one for freshwater. For this reason the

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW) - Provides advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on key recreational fishing issues in NSW.
Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust Expenditure Committee (RFFTEC) - Provides advice on expenditure priorities from the Freshwater Trust.
Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee (RFSTEC) - Provides advice on expenditure priorities from the Saltwater Trust.
Recreational Fishing Trust Advisory Council (RFTAC) - Currently being established.

Income and expenditure from the Trusts are subject to an annual audit and regular announcements are made about licence fee expenditure. DPIRD also carries out periodic surveys of recreational fishing licence holders to ensure that the broad funding priorities are in line with angler expectations.

Independent audit of the Recreational Fishing Trusts

Audit Report (PDF, 1105.69 KB)

Response to Audit Recommendations (PDF, 127.6 KB)

How do I get funding for a project?

Anyone can apply for funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts, including fishing clubs and organisations, universities, councils, community groups and individuals.

Recreational Fishing Licence Fee Survey

The Recreational Fishing Licence Fee Survey is conducted periodically to gather feedback from licence fee holders on programs funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust and to identify emerging priorities for future investment. The most recent survey was conducted by the Australian Survey Research Group in December 2024 and is available here (PDF, 835.49 KB).

How can I stay up to date?

NSW Fisheries sends out the Newscast newsletter to subscribers once every two months to update recreational fishers about projects funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts as well as other news. Subscribe to Newscast here.

Recreational Fishing Trusts Annual Reports

Past annual reports can be viewed in the:

What has been funded in the past?

Projects funded prior to 2023/24 can be viewed in the:

To find out more about past Trust funding for projects, read the Trust Fund Reports. Trust fund summaries have details on income from licence sales and total expenditure on projects.