Community Grants and Funding Opportunities

The Dementia Training Program (DTP), first established nationally in 2016, aims to strengthen the capability of Australia’s health and aged care workforce to provide high-quality, evidence-based dementia care. 

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to fund the delivery of accredited and non-accredited education, upskilling and professional development in dementia care. The delivery of DTP activities will reflect the emerging dementia, health and aged care landscape, including recent aged care reforms and increasing demand for services. 

DTP activities will:

• Be aligned with a National Dementia Training and Education Standards Framework.
• Expand experiential, immersive, peer mentoring and interprofessional training. 
• Adopt tailored approaches for diverse workforce groups and communities including for First Nations people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people from regional, rural and remote locations.
• Build organisational capability and leadership for high quality dementia care, including sustainable practice change. 
• Deliver key service elements responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

There are two funding streams: Stream 1 aims to improve capability of health and aged care workers to provide high quality dementia care for non-Indigenous Australians, including people from diverse backgrounds. Stream 2 focuses on culturally safe, community-led dementia training for First Nations communities and workforces.

Eligibility:

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
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Statutory Entity
• Partnership
• Unincorporated Association.

If you are applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust, the Trustee must have an eligible entity type as listed above.

Applications from consortia are acceptable, providing there is a lead organisation that is solely accountable to the Commonwealth for the delivery of grant activities and is an eligible entity as per the list above. Only the lead organisation can submit the application form and enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. Eligible organisations can form a consortium with ineligible organisations, with the exception of those organisations deemed ineligible because they are included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’.

The aim of the Creative Futures Fund is to invest in the creation and sharing of Australian stories through exceptional creative projects across all artforms that can clearly demonstrate ambition, audience reach and impact.  

Support through this Fund should enable projects to secure other significant partners and financial contributions from a range of sources.   

The Fund invests in projects through two streams, Development investment and Delivery investment. Both streams must tell Australian stories, and utilise Intellectual Property that is majority Australian owned.

Development: investments between $150,000 – $250,000

Development investment supports the creative development and testing of ambitious works of scale that will tell distinctly Australian stories.  

Projects in this stream must have a clear pathway towards a future public presentation for Australian audiences. They may also seek to reach international audiences. Applicants should show how they will develop the partnerships, resources and investment needed to support that future outcome.  

The aim of Development investment is to help works reach proof-of-concept stage and enable them to secure further investment, co-producing partners and presenting partners.  

Delivery: investments between $250,000 – $1,500,000

Delivery investment supports the presentation of new works, or the significant re-development and presentation of existing works to reach a new level of ambition and impact.  

Projects in this stream must be ready to deliver public outcomes, with the creative, production and presentation aspects of the work all well developed. 

Projects in this stream should use the checklists below to determine whether your project is a good fit for the Creative Futures Fund, and which stream is most appropriate. 

The Gordon Darling Foundation is a perpetual public charitable trust, established in 1991 to "support Australia-wide, activities of importance in the Visual Arts."

The Foundation can only provide funding to Public Institutions in Australia. Applicant organisations must have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Individuals wishing to apply for funding for projects must partner with a Public Institution which then takes on responsibility for the project.

Funding may be provided for:

• catalogues and publications:
  • that are scholarly, with well-researched new information.
  • that provide a permanent record of an exhibition, collection, or work of an artist or movement.
• professional education initiatives, including individual professional development.
• collection management initiatives, including database development, digitisation and conservation.
• research projects leading to the recognition and publication of material of significance.
• internationally known speakers for symposia.

The Steve Waugh Foundation supports children and young adults aged 0-25 years who have a rare disease with a prevalence of at least 2:100,000.

The Foundation will consider funding -

• Equipment
• Mobility Aids
• Communication Devices
• Therapy
• Treatment
• Some minor house renovations
• Items that improve the quality of life for the applicant and their family

To be eligible to apply:   

• You must be an Australian Citizen or an Australian permanent resident of at least five years to gain assistance from the Foundation and;
• Have a recognised rare disease as identified on ORPHANET: www.orpha.net, or if not recognised your medical specialist must confirm the disease is rare
• Have an Australian Medicare card
• Have already made an application for government funding assistance for the requested item, eg the NDIS
• The rare disease has been formally and officially diagnosed by a Paediatrician or other Medical Specialist
• You have and can provide evidence of the diagnosis of the rare disease signed off by a Paediatrician or other medical specialist
• You have and can provide medical, health and other documentation or support material required as part of your application

Note: Applications submitted outside these dates can be carried forward for review in the following Grant Round but are unable to be assessed outside these dates. The Online Application and all required supporting documentation must be submitted on time to complete the Grant Application.

Whitehaven Coal takes great pride in long-standing links with local communities, and are pleased to support a range of charities and community organisations.

Following community feedback, they’ve developed an approach to community investment that is structured and open and involves community representatives in the funding allocation process.

They provide support to initiatives across:

• Economic prosperity and resilience – town liveability, community services, facilities and infrastructure
• Environment – climate, environment and water (supply, drought and water treatment)
• Education, training and employment, – jobs for locals, upskilling, future of work, career pathways for local youth
• Community health and wellbeing – through services, availability of staff and liveability
• Indigenous engagement – support and promote initiatives that collaborate with Indigenous Peoples

The annual PILA Goalpost Subsidy Program provides kick-start financial assistance for grassroots clubs to purchase safe, high-quality, regulation-compliant goalposts.

This national program is open to clubs in all states and territories.

• Applicants must demonstrate a need to enhance their field.
• Only one (1) subsidy per recipient per application period.
• The subsidy is applicable only to PILA goalposts.
• Any combination of subsidised products listed may be ordered.
• Goals must be ordered in pairs (2) to accommodate one (1) field.
• The subsidy excludes all non-listed products and services.

Special consideration may be given to applicants outside of clubs who require financial assistance. If applicable, please indicate this on your application form.

The Mable Foundation is a public benevolent institute that helps individuals, community groups, and organisations foster independence and inclusion for older people and those with a disability.

The Foundation provides this support through our annual Mable Community Grants program, which offers four grants of $10,000 each to community, sporting group, charity, or not-for-profit organisations that are directly improving the lives of people with disability or older people.

The Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) Grant Program provides grants each year to develop, promote and strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and Indonesia. The AII Grant Program’s objectives are to: increase public interest and understanding of Indonesia in Australia, and of the importance of the bilateral relationship, across a broad audience; increase Australians’ capability to effectively engage with Indonesia; and to develop partnerships, collaborations and people-to-people links in areas of shared interest in the bilateral and regional context.

To deliver on its objectives, the focus of the annual program pivots from year to year. The 2026-27 grant opportunity will focus on Indonesian capability and language. Indonesia capability refers to the knowledge, skills, experience, and networks that enable effective engagement with Indonesia.

Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate how they improve Australia’s ability to engage with Indonesia by building cultural understanding and knowledge, Indonesian language skills, and sustainable networks across community, schools and universities.

Real Insurance are looking for submissions that reflect a real desire to improve the quality of school resources and communities. It doesn't have to be great prose, just honest and from the heart, so start thinking about the reasons why and how your nominated school would utilise the Real School Grant.

Each entry that is submitted, must align to one or more of the Real Insurance company values;

1. Health - clearly provide intent and evidence of planned work(s) that would promote the health of the intended beneficiaries. Where past works have been concluded, please include as evidence in your submission.
2. Learning & Development - clearly outline the plan of learning or research outcome that would lead to an improved outcome and development.
3. Information & Technology - provide a justified summary of a current lack of access to information and/or technology (including online/remote learning tools) that would prove highly useful for intended beneficiaries.
4. Community & Infrastructure - clearly provide intent and evidence of planned work(s) that would promote a positive or improved outcome for the intended beneficiaries. Where past works have been concluded, please include as evidence in your submission.

Deaf Children Australia has been empowering deaf and hard of hearing young people through our Youth Grants Program since 2000. Youth Grants support deaf and hard of hearing young people to pursue their goals, build confidence and take part in opportunities that matter to them.

You can apply for a Youth Grant to help with a personal project in one of four areas:

1. Sport & Recreation – Eg. joining a team, buying equipment, attending a tournament
2. Art & Music – Eg. exhibitions, instruments, lessons, or creative workshops
3. Education – Eg. Support for courses, textbooks, or resources not covered elsewhere
4. Skill Development – Eg. driving lessons
5. DCA’s Newest Additional Category: Science & Music courtesy of the Johnsen Family Youth Grant (up to $1000)  – Eg. technology, engineering, maths, music lessons, instruments 

Your project should help build your confidence, develop your skills, or open new opportunities — while showing how you’re breaking down barriers and setting an example for others.

How it works

• Apply for up to $2,500
• Projects must occur between 1^st July 2026 and 20^th June 2027.
• Payments made after submitting a final project report with receipt

The Visions of Australia Program provides funding to support the development and touring of quality exhibitions around Australia by Australian arts and cultural organisations.

The objectives of the Visions of Australia Program are to:

• increase access for Australian audiences to exhibitions of quality Australian arts and cultural material, with a particular focus on touring to regional and remote Australia
• encourage partnerships between organisations such as museums and galleries, particularly collaboration across the collections sector, to form curatorial partnerships and where appropriate, access to mentoring and skills transfer opportunities.

Program funding is delivered through two streams:

• Development: for the costs of planning and producing an exhibition to tour. This includes research and design
• Touring: for the costs to produce the exhibition and the costs to transport, install and dismantle the exhibition as well as deliver public programs.

To be eligible you must:

• be an Australian incorporated organisation
• have as your principal purpose the arts and/or cultural heritage (usually defined in the organisation’s Constitution or Articles of Association, and reflected in the Annual Report and Business Plans)
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), if required by the Australian Tax Office
• not have any outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Commonwealth funding.

Unincorporated groups with an arts or cultural heritage purpose may seek funding but must be auspiced by an organisation that meets the above criteria and applies on their behalf. Individual business units and entities of local government or state government authorities with an arts or cultural heritage purpose (such as art galleries, museums or performing arts centres) are eligible to apply.

To be eligible for funding, any proposed tour must include at least three venues located outside of the applicant’s state or territory, with consecutive exhibition dates. Tours originating in metropolitan areas may include metropolitan venues, but projects should include at least one regional/remote venue.

Tour applications must include venue confirmation forms from each venue. Development applications must include expressions of interest forms from each venue.

Building Digital Skills grants help organisations deliver free Be Connected digital literacy programs to older Australians in their community.

Building Digital Skills grants of up to $20,500 help organisations to support older Australians aged 50+ through free digital mentoring sessions. A range of resources and support materials are available to help organisations to deliver this program, including the learning courses available on the Be Connected learning site.

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