The deadline for submitting completed scorecards under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) for 2026 is just around the corner.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is reminding farmers and advisors that the deadline falls next Monday (August 31).

Assessment and scoring of lands are required for the processing of results-based payments under ACRES.

The department said that over 78% of scorecards have been submitted so far.

The department's Generic Land Management (GLAM) system includes a report function that allows farm advisors check the status of all scorecards for their clients, which should assist advisors in ensuring all scorecards are submitted.

Once an ACRES scorecard has been submitted in full, it will not be possible to make further changes.

The department called on advisors to make sure they are fully satisfied that the scorecards are correct at the time of submission.

Assessment of lands must still be undertaken where there is a change in the ACRES contract ownership (where a participant has died or there has been a change to a farm partnership).

Where the change has resulted in a herd number being end-dated and the scorecard is not available on on the AgriSnap geotagging photo system, advisors are asked to contact the department via email.

Any scorecards that remain outstanding after August 31 may impact on the issuing of the 2026 ACRES advance payments later this year, the department said.

In cases of non-submission to valid scorecards, different penalties apply.

Where scorecards for low-input grassland (LIG) or low-input peat grassland (LIPG) actions are not submitted, the parcels in question will be deemed ineligible for payment for the remainder of the ACRES contract, and any payments already made on those parcels may be clawed back.

Where scorecards entered into the scheme under the ACRES Co-operation Approach (the higher-paying part of the scheme) are not submitted, those parcels will be deemed ineligible for payment in the current year, although the parcels may remain in the contract.