Community Grants and Funding Opportunities

The Aboriginal Sport for Respect Grant program enables Aboriginal organisations and communities to design and lead activities that reflect local priorities and ways of knowing, fostering respectful relationships through genuine partnership with the sport and active recreation sector.

The key objectives of the program are to:

Support Aboriginal-led Prevention through Sport: Enable Aboriginal communities, organisations and leaders to design and deliver primary prevention activities that reflect local priorities, strengths, culture and Aboriginal ways of knowing.

Promote safe, respectful and inclusive sporting environments: Support projects that use sport and active recreation to strengthen respectful relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, and promote safety, inclusion and belonging

Address the drivers of DFSV in culturally meaningful ways: Support projects that respond to the gendered, colonial and social drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence in ways that are culturally safe, strengths-based, trauma-informed and community-led.

Build local capability and partnerships for prevention: Strengthen the ability of Aboriginal communities, sport and active recreation organisations, ACCOs, DFSV prevention specialists and local partners to work together and embed prevention into everyday sporting activities, leadership, policies, practices and community engagement.

Strengthen learning and impact through Aboriginal-led reflection and evaluation in sport: Embedding culturally appropriate reflection, continuous evaluation and storytelling to understand what works, what is meaningful for communities, identify opportunities to strengthen impact and how Aboriginal-led approaches can inform future prevention activity and investment.

National Science Week is Australia’s major national annual celebration of science and technology, occurring in August each year. National Science Week is run across Australia and provides the opportunity for wide public participation in activities and events across the nation.

The National Science Week Public Event Grants 2027-30 grant opportunity aims to support initiatives that enable inclusive and broad-based engagement with science by the public.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• inspire wide public participation in STEM, including groups historically underrepresented in STEM (as defined in the Glossary)
• provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge
• encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public
• encourage younger people to become fascinated by the world we live in
• encourage new and innovative ways of engaging with audiences.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

• increased national and international interest in Australian science
• improved critical engagement with key scientific issues by the public
• increased inspiration drawn from science and improved value of science as perceived by the public
• increased participation from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.

Up to $500,000 is available each year for National Science Week Public Event Grants from 2027 to 2030.

• The minimum grant amount is $5,000 per application.
• The maximum grant amount is $20,000 per application.

The National Science Week 2027 funding round accepts applications for events run during National Science Week 2027.

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program is aimed at providing Automated External Defibrillators and associated equipment to NSW sport and recreation facilities and clubs.

The key objectives of the Program align to the Office of Sport Strategic Plan ‘Everyone Plays Here’, with the specific objectives to:

• Promote wider access to these devices across NSW
• Support local sport and active recreational clubs or related incorporated organisations located in, or servicing, the most disadvantaged areas of NSW in purchasing an AED package.

The NSW Government has allocated up to $500,000 in 2026/27 for this Program.

• Grants of up to $3,000 are available to fund the cost of an approved AED package listed in Appendix A.
• There is no mandatory financial contribution. However, where the cost of the selected package exceeds $3,000, the organisation must fund the additional cost.
• Eligible organisations can only receive funding for one AED package under this round of the Program.

When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, recreational fishers are required to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee. All revenue raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts. There are two Trusts - one for saltwater and one for freshwater. Funds from the Trusts are used to deliver a wide range of projects and programs to boost recreational fishing opportunities in NSW.

The objective is to deliver projects using funds from the Trusts to boost recreational fishing opportunities in NSW. Projects in the current funding round are required to fall within the following grant platforms:

• fishing access and facilities
• recreational fishing enhancement
• recreational fishing education
• research on fish and recreational fishing
• aquatic habitat rehabilitation
• enforcement of fishing rules (NSW Government only)
• licence fee payment system and Trust management (NSW Government only)

Goals

• Implement innovative projects to boost recreational fishing opportunities.
• Promote recreational fishing as a healthy, outdoors activity for the whole family.
• Educate fishers to fish responsibly and safely.
• Promote the sustainable growth of recreational fishing.

The Latrobe Health Small Grants Program was created to support programs and initiatives that strengthen health outcomes for Latrobe Health members, and rural and regional Australians.

The aim of the program is to enhance health outcomes by funding initiatives that demonstrate impact across one or more of the following pillars:

• Health literacy: Improving the community’s understanding and knowledge of health.
• Health access: Enhancing access to health services and resources.
• Health equity: Reducing health disparities and promoting equality in health.
• Health affordability: Making health care more affordable for the community.

To be eligible for this grant your organisation must meet the following criteria:

• Initiative directly impacts rural or regional Australia.
• Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN).
• Be a not-for-profit community group or charitable organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
• Have been operating for more than 12 months.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide funding to support organisations in the design and delivery of national viral hepatitis community-led initiatives and awareness raising campaigns that engage priority populations, including people at higher risk of acquiring viral hepatitis or with limited access to health care. These activities will help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek care and reduce hepatitis-related cancer mortality. This includes: 

• $6.9 million from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2029 for National Hepatitis B projects. 
• $9.0 million 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2029 for National Hepatitis C projects.

The objectives of the grant are: 

• To provide funding to eligible organisations to maintain nationally coordinated activities that improve prevention, testing, diagnosis and treatment outcomes for hepatitis B and C.
• To provide funding to eligible organisations to deliver evidence-based activities that address gaps in hepatitis B and C continuum of care.
• To address goals and targets in the Strategies.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

• To support harm reduction, public awareness and education, and targeted approaches that increase testing, reduce stigma and discrimination, and strengthen access to culturally safe and appropriate care, particularly among priority populations experiencing inequitable health outcomes.
• To reduce hepatitis-related cancer mortality.
• To support the national elimination of hepatitis B and C as public health challenges in Australia by 2030. 

The purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities through equitable access to vibrant arts and cultural experiences.

This funding will:

• foster access to innovative and diverse arts and cultural presentations
• enable the presentation of new work by underrepresented artists and groups
• enhance the visibility of new work by NSW artists and arts/cultural workers
• contribute to personal and community wellbeing and economic development
• build vitality of NSW organisations by developing new markets and audiences
• strengthen communities through equitable access to arts and cultural experiences. 

Who can apply

Individuals: 

• Applicants must be 18 years or above 

• Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful) 

• Currently living in NSW (minimum12 months) 

Groups or other entities that do not have legal status: 

• The lead applicant must be 18 years or above, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful)  

• Majority of members must currently be located in NSW (for the past 12 months) 

• Unincorporated groups must have a written/ signed agreement between all members outlining roles and responsibilities, and their acceptance of the proposed tour. 

Organisations or entities that do have legal status, such as companies, associations, partnerships, and other incorporated entities. Local Government Authorities (LGA) must be a distinct business unit based in NSW 

• The person submitting the application must have the authority to act on behalf of the organisation/entity 

Note: Preference will be given to NSW-based organisations. It is highly recommended that non-NSW based organisations discuss their application with Create NSW before applying. 

If successful, all applicants must provide details of an active ABN with a nominated bank account or provide details of a funds administrator. 

• Individuals must have a sole trader ABN or private company ABN (only if the individual is the sole director and sole shareholder of the company) or a funds administrator and an account with an Australian financial institution. 

• Groups who are unincorporated, ensembles, unincorporated associations, or other entities that do not have legal status, must be contracted by an individual or a funds administrator on behalf of the group with an account with an Australian financial institution

• Organisations with legal status must have an ABN which matches their entity name and a nominated account with an Australian financial institution. 

Funding requests must:

• not be more than 90% of the tour’s income
• be realistic and supported by the application and budget. 

Playing Australia Project Investment supports organisations to undertake performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

The program supports costs associated with touring to regional and remote areas of Australia. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. Touring activity must be confirmed prior to seeking investment through this category.

Who can apply

Legally constituted organisations only may apply.

What you can apply for

You may apply for any costs necessary for the completion of a successful regional tour with a confirmed itinerary.

Creative Australia acknowledges that flexibility is required when touring and supports a variety of touring models. Applicants may seek investment for alternative touring models that:

• propose activity such as residency models with live performance outcomes or concept touring
• present a tour that includes significant and targeted community engagement
• present an annual touring program for single or multiple works
• propose a digital tour.

You can apply for support towards:

• a tour that has a confirmed itinerary
• payment of fees and salaries for artists and touring party
• costs associated with remounting or rehearsing a work
• production costs associated with touring the work or delivering the activity
• touring costs including freight, transport, accommodation and travel allowances
• tour co-ordination
• costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your tour
• costs associated with supporting the wellbeing of the touring company.

2026 Closing Dates

• Tuesday 3 March 2026
• Tuesday 2 June 2026
• Tuesday 13 October 2026

The First Nations Arts and d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund supports projects and professional development opportunities across all art forms, nationally and internationally.  

It is open to: 

• Australian First Nations d/Deaf artists and arts workers
• Australian First Nations artists and arts workers with disability 
• Australian First Nations d/Deaf artists and arts workers groups
• Australian First Nations artists and arts workers with disability groups
• Australian First Nations organisations. 

Eligibility

Individuals/Groups must: 

• Identify as First Nations 
• Identify as d/Deaf and/or with disability
• Be 18+ years
• Be based in Australia. 

Organisations must: 

• Identify as Australian First Nations organisations:
  • at least 51% First Nations on the board 
  • be known as a First Nations organisation that provides programs for First Nations communities.
• Demonstrate a history of working with and supporting Australian artists and/or arts workers who identify as:
  • First Nations who are d/Deaf and/or with disability
  • be based in Australia. 

Applications must have: 

• eligible funding amount requested ($5,000 - $10,000)
• eligible project’s start date is on or after 1 February 2027, and the end date must be completed within 2 years of your starting date. 

The Dobell Exhibition Grant program provides financial assistance towards the development of new, curated exhibitions of visual arts at regional and public galleries in New South Wales.

The program aims to support high quality exhibitions that speak to a broad audience across NSW. To assist in expanding appreciation for the visual arts, the proposed exhibition should be supported by innovative public and education programs that creatively engage both artists and the community.

Exhibitions supported previously include Grafton Regional Gallery, Bundjalung Weavers: Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali… we weave together, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Small Museum, Lismore Regional Gallery, From Here to There: Australian art and walking, Newcastle Art Gallery for their exhibition SODEISHA: Connected to Australia, Blue Mountains City Art Gallery for Sensorial and Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s exhibition Shadow Boxer.

Festivals Australia provides funding to support individual art projects in regional or remote locations. Eligible projects take place at festivals, or significant one-off community events such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource. Festivals Australia will:

• provide access to a diverse range of engaging, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional and remote Australia,
• support partnerships and collaboration across the arts sector, and
• encourage community participation in arts projects at regional and remote festivals.

The program delivers two funding rounds each year usually opening in February and September. The Minister for the Arts (or their delegate) approves funding under the Program Guidelines.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• be an Australian incorporated organisation*,
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN),
• be registered for the purposes of GST, if required by the Australian Taxation Office, and
• not have any outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Australian Government funding.

Unincorporated groups are eligible for funding but must be auspiced by an organisation that meets the above criteria.

Expressions of Interest are open for ACCOs that are approved early learning providers or seeking to become approved providers under the 2026/27 ACCO-led ECEC Sector Growth Partnership Program.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations who are approved Early Learning providers or are seeking to become approved Early Learning providers are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI). 

Successful applicants in this EOI will progress to the next round where they will be invited to provide a full application. Applicants will be required to complete this via a SmartyGrants application by the close date to be considered. Applicants may be required to provide evidence to support their application. Please see Program Guidelines for information of funding streams and eligibility. 

Eligibility

Only Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) are eligible for this program. An ACCO is an organisation: that delivers services, including land and resource management that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people and is:

• incorporated under relevant legislation and is not-for-profit
• controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• connected to the community or communities in which it delivers services
• governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.  

ACCOs applying for Streams 1 or 2 must have early learning service approval or have applied for service-approval. 

ACCOs must be an approved early learning service provider, or have submitted an application for an early learning service approval that is yet to be determined by the NSW Early Learning Commission, to operate one or more of the following early learning services in New South Wales:

• centre-based day care (preschool)
• long day care
• outside school hours care
• family day care
• occasional care
• mobile preschool

ACCOs applying for Stream 3 must: 

Provide evidence that your organisation has consulted with the community to seek endorsement for the project. Be facing barriers to early learning provider approval which may include (but not limited to): land or premises access issues (e.g. resolving crown land complexities) regulatory compliance planning and project scoping Provide evidence that funding will be used to reduce barries for establishment of the project.

Schools Plus connects Australian schools with the support and expertise they need to close the opportunity gap. Providing up to three years of funding, coaching and other project support to ensure your students are thriving at school.

Who can apply

K-12 Government, Catholic, Independent or Special Needs schools

Must have ICSEA score below 1000.

Support available

$40,000 – $120,000 per year depending on the number of schools in the application.

Clusters of 10+ schools may be eligible for up to $120,000 per year.

Focus areas

AI or STEM – Up to 2 years.

Rural, regional and remote – Up to 3 years.

EOI projects – Up to 3 years.

AbbVie provide financial support for projects that promote excellence in patient care, support disease awareness and provide education to healthcare professionals. In addition they also provide funding to support charities and their fundraising activities in the community.

AbbVie will ONLY consider requests for financial support for initiatives that include:

• healthcare education events or initiatives such as conferences, symposia or one-off meetings
• disease awareness activities
• production of education materials including print and digital content
• fundraising activities 
• donations to charities or not-for-profit organisations.

AbbVie will not fund requests for

• sporting clubs
• any profit-making entities - all organisations must be not-for profit or charities
• equipment that may be used for personal and professional reasons such as mobile phones or laptops
• funding of start-ups or operating costs of entities
• staff salaries and benefits
• Healthcare professional honorariums or travel costs. HCPs must apply directly to AbbVie for support through the individual funding process
• capital, infrastructure or operating expenses such as office equipment, furniture, or facilities modifications.
• events that are lavish or associated with sporting or recreational activities such as golf days, football matches or musical events.
• underwriting a commercial business or generate income for a practice or institution.

The Bupa Foundation Community Grants program funds and supports innovative, capable organisations working to prevent and control disease*. As a health promotion charity, we are committed to making a positive difference in communities by offering funding of $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 for eligible organisations and charities conducting projects and initiatives designed to positively impact the communities where Bupa operates.

The key focus areas include:

• Healthier People,
• Healthier Communities,
• Healthier Planet.

*For the purposes of this program, diseases include any mental or physical ailment, disorder, defect or morbid condition, whether of sudden onset or gradual development and whether of genetic or other origin. Examples include asthma, cancer, clinical depression, diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and viral infections.

The Growing Football Fund is designed to support the coaches and players of tomorrow by creating more opportunities for women and girls in football. 

The primary objective of the Growing Football Community Grants Program is to provide tangible support to clubs and associations, with a focus on initiatives that look to attract or retain women and girls in football. 

The Community Grant Program will also aim to:

• provide quality experiences for new and returning football participants that encourage ongoing participation in football.

• support the education and development of community coaches that improve the skills and knowledge of coaches to provide quality football experiences.

• support clubs and associations in developing inclusive and safe environments to support the retention of women and girls at their club. 

Transgrid’s Community Partnerships Program offers grants of up to $5,000  for initiatives that create a lasting, practical benefit in communities near Transgrid projects or existing infrastructure.

Since 2023, more than 470 organisations have received over $1.9 million in Transgrid grants for a range of initiatives spanning from community infrastructure, to workshops, along with inclusivity and accessibility projects.

Applications are accepted from community groups which fit the following criteria: not-for-profit organisations, sporting groups, mens/womens sheds, etc.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is designed to strengthen the diagnosis and management of FASD across Australian communities. By providing targeted funding, the program will enhance local capacity for screening, diagnosis, and ongoing monitoring, while fostering greater community awareness of the dangers associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy or when planning to conceive. 

This grant opportunity will be made available through two (2) streams.

Stream 1: FASD Diagnostic Services 

Stream 2: Innovative Models of Care 

Applicants must nominate one primary stream that best aligns with the core purpose of the activities being proposed. 

Where activities could align to both streams, applicants should select the stream that reflects the main intent and outcomes of the proposal. Funding and reporting requirements will align to the nominated stream. 

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• Company 
• Corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Non-Corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority 
• Corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
• Local Government
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Sole Trader 
• Statutory Entity 
• Partnership
• Unincorporated Association.

This grant opportunity supports the delivery of evidence-informed alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services that help reduce the harms associated with AOD use and support recovery. 

Funding will support withdrawal management, rehabilitation, aftercare and other treatment pathways that improve access to care, respond to individual needs, and strengthen connections to broader health and social supports. 

The grant opportunity aims to improve treatment access and outcomes, reduce harmful AOD use and psychological distress, enhance social inclusion and economic participation, and contribute to long-term reductions in AOD-related harm.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 
• a Company
• a Cooperative
• a Corporate State or Territory Entity
• an Incorporated Association
• a Sole Trader 
• a Statutory Entity 
• a Partnership
• an Unincorporated Association.

This grant opportunity aims to prevent and minimise the health, social, cultural and economic harms of Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) use among individuals, families and communities. 

Funding under this grant opportunity will be made available through the following four (4) nationally focused streams.

Stream 1: National AOD Prevention

Stream 2: National AOD Early Intervention

Stream 3: National AOD Treatment

Stream 4: National AOD Workforce/ System Enablers

Applicants must nominate one primary stream that best aligns with the core purpose of the activities being proposed. 

Where activities could align to more than one stream, applicants should select the stream that reflects the main intent and outcomes of the proposal. Funding and reporting requirements will align to the nominated stream. 

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• a Company
• a Corporate State or Territory Entity 
• a Non-corporate State or Territory Entity 
• a Cooperative
• an Incorporated Association
• a Sole Trader  
• a Statutory Entity 
• a Partnership
• an Unincorporated Association.