The BushBank Program – Private Land Stream
The Victorian Government’s $77 million BushBank program is addressing climate change and supporting wildlife as it restores more than 20,000 hectares of land across Victoria. Millions of native trees and shrubs will be planted to capture carbon and create healthy habitat for native wildlife. The majority of work is taking place through partnerships with private landowners, providing an opportunity to participate in the most ambitious restoration program in Victoria’s history.
Cassinia Environmental
Cassinia Environmental is the Victorian Government’s delivery partner for the private land stream of BushBank. Cassinia Environmental is a land management company with proven results in environmental protection, ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and social investment.
We will manage projects in partnership with landowners for the duration of the program. Significant co-funding is required to deliver native vegetation plantings across degraded and marginal private land. Cassinia Environmental will source and secure co-funding from various partners, including from carbon markets and philanthropic biodiversity-focused partners.
Opportunities for Landowners
The BushBank program provides a unique opportunity for private landowners to play a meaningful role in addressing climate change and supporting wildlife, leaving a legacy for generations to come. If selected to take part in the BushBank Program, all landowners will receive BushBank funding and guidance for their restoration project. Cassinia may also assist with project delivery.
Projects may be eligible for co-funding such as through the transfer of carbon rights to a project partner, which will contribute to restoration costs and potentially stewardship payments. Alternatively, the landowner may choose to register carbon credits (Australian Carbon Credit Units- ACCUs) from their project for retention or sale.
To be eligibile for the BushBank Private Land Stream site must:
- have a minimum of 20-hectare woody restoration area (with preference given to larger sites)
- have no existing obligations to restore the land (either legislated or under an existing agreement)
- be outside of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) area
- not be subject to compulsory acquisition or subject to a government development initiative
- not been illegally cleared.
Landowner recruitment has commenced, and the program remains open for expressions of interest (EOIs). Projects will be selected in rounds, with the selection panel meeting 3-4 times per year.
Special Offer – Budj Bim Koala Habitat Restoration Project
We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest from landowners within a 5km radius of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape for a fully funded revegetation project creating new habitat for koalas.
EOIs are open until 30 November 2025. To apply, submit a BushBank Expression of Interest below.
Selection Rounds:
The next selection round closes 30 November 2025.
For Further Program Information:
Need help completing your expression of interest?
Please note: the video states a 10-hectare minimum. This has been updated since the time of video publication. The minimum restoration are size for eligibility is now 20-hectares.
Help video 1:
- How to map your proposed project site on the map tool
- 1:58min
Use the icons to make the video full-screen.
Need to contact us?
For phone support regarding the BushBank program, call Vegetation Link on 1300 572 164 regarding the submission of your expression of interest or to discuss your proposal. Support is available during business hours.
To contact us via email regarding the program, email bushbank.partner@cassinia.com.
Explore an Existing BushBank Site
You’re invited to join us for our upcoming Spring into Bushbank! event series, where you’ll see unique revegetation models in action, hear how private landholders are partnering with BushBank to make an impact in our environment & explore project opportunities for your own property. Register for free below!
BushBank 101: Landowner Discovery Webinar
Thursday October 2nd, 7pm – 8pm
A 1-hour introduction to BushBank for landowners to learn how to restore land, boost biodiversity and earn through carbon on their properties
Project Platypus Field Day in Ledcourt
Saturday October 4th, 10am – 12pm
Tour a BushBank site in the Wimmera region, highlighting local revegetation efforts and showcasing BushBank’s collaborative restoration in action.
Walk & Talk in Peronne
Thursday October 16th, 10am – 12pm
See firsthand how this 260-ha property in West Wimmera is being restored and revegetated to support biodiversity through the BushBank program.
Walk & Talk in Bonnie Doon
Saturday October 25th, 10am – 12pm
Enjoy a guided vegetation walk through this property undergoing transformation from cleared grazing land into a biodiverse, carbon-rich landscape & hear how the landowner has registered his own carbon credits on the site.
Walk & Talk in Lindenow South
Friday October 31st, 10am – 12pm
Discover how one ambitious landowner has partnered with BushBank for a self-managed restoration project on this 62-hectare property sits once heavily degraded by grazing.
This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $77 million BushBank Program, which is restoring more than 20,000 hectares of land across Victoria to create healthy wildlife habitat and capture carbon.
Trust for Nature is partnering with Cassinia Environmental and the Victorian Government to permanently protect land restored under the BushBank program with conservation covenants.
Program partners
