Search Grants & Funding

The Games Production Fund offers flexible support to Australian independent gamemakers and games studios. The grant is aimed at projects that already have an early-stage prototype. 

The program allows Screen Australia to respond to the varied needs of gamemakers at different career stages, providing direct funding that will assist studios in meeting their goals and establishing themselves in the international games landscape.

Applicants must contextualise the milestone they are working towards and how this funding will help them achieve it in their applications. Significant milestones include: 

• Completion/release of a game
• Early Access release of a game
• Completion of a demo (to release at a digital event, or present at a physical event)
• Creating a vertical slice that is of global competitive quality and enables a team to access the international funding and pitching ecosystem
• Developing an early-stage prototype to a quality suitable for submission to an accolade signifying cultural impact, such as a notable award, showcase, festival, gallery or museum exhibit opportunity
• Any other goal, as defined by the applicant

The program will run as a series of rounds from financial year 2023/24 until financial year 2026/27.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be a company at the time of application. 

Other business structures, including sole traders and public companies, are not eligible. 

Sole traders are instead encouraged to consider applying for the Emerging Gamemakers Fund if they otherwise meet the criteria of that program. 

All applicants and projects must also meet the eligibility criteria under Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade. 

The Games Production Fund offers flexible support to Australian independent gamemakers and games studios. The grant is aimed at projects that already have an early-stage prototype. 

The program allows Screen Australia to respond to the varied needs of gamemakers at different career stages, providing direct funding that will assist studios in meeting their goals and establishing themselves in the international games landscape.

Applicants must contextualise the milestone they are working towards and how this funding will help them achieve it in their applications. Significant milestones include: 

• Completion/release of a game
• Early Access release of a game
• Completion of a demo (to release at a digital event, or present at a physical event)
• Creating a vertical slice that is of global competitive quality and enables a team to access the international funding and pitching ecosystem
• Developing an early-stage prototype to a quality suitable for submission to an accolade signifying cultural impact, such as a notable award, showcase, festival, gallery or museum exhibit opportunity
• Any other goal, as defined by the applicant

The program will run as a series of rounds from financial year 2023/24 until financial year 2026/27.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be a company at the time of application. 

Other business structures, including sole traders and public companies, are not eligible. 

Sole traders are instead encouraged to consider applying for the Emerging Gamemakers Fund if they otherwise meet the criteria of that program. 

All applicants and projects must also meet the eligibility criteria under Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade. 

CAGES Foundation Economic Development Grants exist to assist First Nations businesses and enterprises to attract investment and build revenue whilst supporting sustainable communities.

These grants are separate to any financial impact investment that the investment committee of CAGES Foundation may make from the foundation’s corpus.

Economic Development Guidelines:

• Preference for Aboriginal Community Controlled or led organisation
• Organisations that are working toward breaking down systemic barriers and creating opportunities that exist for First Nations businesses
• Funding might include:
  • Core operating expenses, including salaries, communications and business development costs.
  • Developing internal investment products within Aboriginal controlled non-government organisations.
• Any activity must be community endorsed
• All organisations must have DGR1 tax status.

All partnerships start with a conversation. There are no grant rounds. Opportunities are limited due to the long-term nature of our existing partnerships.

The Breaking New Ground Program aims to assist schools, local governments, developers, community Australian football clubs, umpiring organisations and other landowners to better develop sporting infrastructure accessible to AFL programming and activities in communities across Australia.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Develop increased supply through the construction of new ovals, especially in growing communities.
• Increase the AFL facility network in areas of need, by maximising the carrying capacity and accessibility of new places to play and the quality/functionality of supporting infrastructure.
• Provide inclusive and accessible facilities that cater for the diversity of participants, particularly females, who wish to participate in our game.
• Enable planning and project partnerships to form with a range of government and non-government bodies to result in an improved quantity, quality and welcoming venue network for Australian football.
• Develop venues to support the sport’s complete talent pathway, umpiring, staff and people working and volunteering within the game.

Who Can Apply?

Schools (private and public), Developers, Local Government Authorities, AFL affiliated leagues and community clubs, umpiring organisations, other sports bodies, State Government Authorities and private landowners.

If applicable, applicants must have written support of the landowners or land managers as part of their submission.

Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) is proud to announce our first large grant round in this focus area with a total funding pool of $100,000.

Grant applications should be between $5,000 to $20,000 (maximum) over two years (if applicable) – no GST is payable.

Funding considerations

Projects must aim to support sexuality, sex and gender diverse (LGBTQIA+) Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, South Sea Islander (ATSSSI) people in at least one of the following areas:

• Enhancing cultural engagement and development,
• Enhancing support for community connection,
• Reducing social isolation,
• Improving health and/or health literacy,
• Supporting links to LGBTQIA+ services and supports,
• Improving LGBTQIA+ inclusive and culturally appropriate practices in services.

Types of projects with a duration of up to two years may include, but not limited to any of the following:

• Community development
• Education and training initiatives
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Applied, community-led research with tangible outcomes in the field
• Events including arts and cultural events or conferences

LGBTQIA+ focused means that projects must be specifically focused on people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression and/or sex characteristics.

Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, South Sea Islander (ATSSSI) focused means that projects must be specifically focused on people who self-identify in these groups as the sole or majority purpose (i.e. at least 50% of beneficiaries).

Location

Projects that support people in rural and regional locations are strongly encouraged. Projects may cross state and territory borders.

The Farm Business Transition Program funding may be used for a range of activities, including planning, professional and technical advice, application of research and development innovations extension activities, and investment in on-farm infrastructure and improvements. These activities are intended to support the adoption of alternative farming systems and practices.

Grant funding of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive) over both rounds, per eligible applicant is available.

Costs incurred before a grant agreement is executed or the agreed activity start date are ineligible.

Applicants are required to provide 1:1 cash co-contribution, matching the dollar value of the grant funding approved. In-kind contributions will not be accepted as matched funding.

You must demonstrate a connection to the live sheep export by sea trade since 1 July 2020.

Applicants from Round 1:

Applicants awarded the maximum grant of $75,000 (GST exclusive) in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for further funding under Round 2.

Applicants awarded less than the maximum grant of $75,000 (GST exclusive) under Round 1 may apply under Round 2 for up to the remaining balance of the grant funding for different grant activities.

Applicants who were unsuccessful in Round 1 may apply in Round 2 for the same project or a different project.

Funding for this program is provided under the Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea - transition assistance initiative.

Digital Originals is a joint initiative of Screen Australia, SBS and NITV, aimed at developing exciting and innovative short-form scripted series for SBS and NITV.  These series contain 6 x 10-minute episodes for broadcast on SBS and NITV platforms.

Digital Originals is targeted at emerging creators working on exciting and risk-taking scripted projects. Following the success ofpast participants such as Homebodies, Moonbird and Appetite, this opportunity is aimed at episodic narrative series designed for SBS and NITV audiences. Prior experience in writing for screen is not necessary.

Up to ten teams will be selected to attend an exclusive workshop run by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV, featuring a range of industry guest presenters and past Digital Originals teams. The workshop will focus on short form narrative writing skills, pitching and developing the projects to align with the SBS Charter and audiences, culminating in a pitch to Screen Australia, SBS and NITV.

From the ten teams invited to attend the workshop, up to five will be chosen to take their project into further development, and from these, up to three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia. Teams will have the support and resources of SBS, NITV and Screen Australia through the development process.

Team members residing outside of New South Wales (NSW), and residing in Australia, will receive economy return flights and accommodation within Australia for two to three team members to attend the workshop in person. Teams residing in NSW but outside of Greater Sydney may be provided with accommodation for the workshop and Pitch Day.

Following the workshop, selected teams will be provided with funding to develop their project, with delivery required by May 2027. Decisions on next steps will be made thereafter.

The Future2 annual Make the Difference! grants program aims to support community-led initiatives that build stronger financial futures for Australians in need.

Since 2007, the Make the Difference! Grants Program has awarded over $1.9 million to more than 180 grassroots programs across Australia. Focus is on supporting grassroots initiatives where funding makes a significant and lasting difference for Australians in need.

To be considered, applications must align with at least one of the following categories:

Financial Wellbeing for Young Australians
Financial literacy and education programs for people under 25.

Financial Wellbeing for Australians in Need
Initiatives supporting individuals experiencing hardship, including those affected by mental health challenges, social isolation, domestic violence, homelessness, or poverty, as well as First Nations peoples and people from refugee or migrant backgrounds.

Financial Wellbeing for Women
Programs that strengthen financial literacy, independence, and security for disadvantaged women.

Financial Wellbeing for Regional and Remote Communities
Programs that improve access to financial education and capability in regional and remote Australia.

Sporting Schools offers grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to year 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. Sporting Schools has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs) to facilitate delivery of Sporting Schools programs.

The objectives of Sporting Schools are to:

• engage primary school students in free, high-quality sport programs at school
• engage secondary school students (Years 7-8) in free, high-quality sport programs at school, particularly inactive students, girls, and students attending schools in disadvantaged areas
• establish partnerships between sporting organisations and schools to promote involvement in sport outside of school
• develop the capability of schools and teachers to provide students with positive sport experiences
• build the capability of coaches and the sport workforce
• support life-long involvement in sport and physical activity to enhance health and wellbeing.

Sporting Schools offers grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to year 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. Sporting Schools has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs) to facilitate delivery of Sporting Schools programs.

The objectives of Sporting Schools are to:

• engage primary school students in free, high-quality sport programs at school
• engage secondary school students (Years 7-8) in free, high-quality sport programs at school, particularly inactive students, girls, and students attending schools in disadvantaged areas
• establish partnerships between sporting organisations and schools to promote involvement in sport outside of school
• develop the capability of schools and teachers to provide students with positive sport experiences
• build the capability of coaches and the sport workforce
• support life-long involvement in sport and physical activity to enhance health and wellbeing.

The Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Hubs Program will establish 7 Drought Resilience Hubs (Hubs) across Australia, with the vision to build drought resilience across the drought cycle by connecting farmers and communities to regional experts, innovations, new practices and services.

The objectives of the program are:

• to facilitate the delivery of place-based extension and adoption activities with a realistic prospect of impact
• strong collaboration across the 7 Hubs, with Australian, state and territory governments, Research and Development Corporations and other relevant bodies
• robust governance frameworks that enable efficient, effective delivery with strong transparency and accountability mechanisms to build stakeholder trust.

The outcomes of the program are:

• increased farmer and community understanding of drought-resilient practices, innovations and services
• increased adoption of drought-resilient practices by farmers and regional and rural communities
• improved analysis and understanding by Hubs, Hub partners and government policymakers of drought-resilient extension and adoption gaps in the service region and identification of place-based solutions
• improved collaborative planning and delivery of drought-resilient activities between Hubs, state and territory governments, Research and Development Corporations, and industry/community stakeholders
• improved linkages between farmers and communities’ research needs and experts and researchers to support co-designed research solutions.

The Disaster Ready Fund Round (DRF) is the Australian Government’s primary disaster resilience and risk reduction initiative.

Round Four of the DRF will build on previous rounds by providing up to $142.477 million for natural disaster risk reduction and resilience initiatives in 2026-27.

The total funding available is notionally allocated as follows:

• $104.608 million for infrastructure projects (infrastructure funding stream), encompassing the following primary project activity types:
  • investment in grey infrastructure
  • investment in green-blue infrastructure (including nature-based solutions)
  • investment in social infrastructure
  • investment in natural hazard monitoring infrastructure
• $34.869 million for other eligible project types
• $3 million for administrative support for Lead Agencies

The objectives of the program are to:

• increase the understanding of natural disaster impacts, as a first step towards reducing the risk of future natural disaster impacts,
• increase the resilience, adaptive capacity and/or preparedness of governments, community service organisations and affected communities to future natural disasters to minimise the potential impact of natural hazards and reduce the risk of future natural disasters, and
• reduce the exposure to risk, harm and/or severity of a future natural disaster’s impacts, including reducing the recovery burden for governments, cohorts at disproportionate risk, and/or affected communities.

The Trees for Bees Community Tree Grants support the planting of bee-friendly trees in extended gardens, community-owned land, school grounds, sporting club precincts and urban corridors.

The program provides funding to community groups and organisations to increase vital habitat, providing spaces for bees to forage, live and breed.

This year, 40 grants of $500 are available for not-for-profit organisations, school groups, Landcare groups, community organisations and sustainability groups.

Applications require a brief summary of the bee-friendly planting proposal, planting area and planting dates.

Applicants will be judged on three criteria:

• Pollinator Impact: How the planting will benefit bees and other pollinators.
• Area covered: The size of the planting and the details of the area (was it previously an unused site, does it extend existing pollinator-friendly garden).
• Community reach: How many people are involved in the planting, how many people will learn more about the importance of planting for pollinators as a result of the grant. 

The Service Delivery grant opportunity funds organisations to provide individual disability advocacy to people with disability, their families, carers and kin in defined service areas nationally. Services are expected to be delivered predominantly in person, where possible and appropriate. This includes the organisation’s business premises as well as community settings.

Grantees must demonstrate the experience and capabilities needed to achieve program outcomes (Appendix A of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines). Non negotiable capabilities form eligibility criteria in the Guidelines, while desirable capabilities (Appendix B) may be developed over time. 

Six year grants will be offered to successful applicants with strong capabilities that improve national coverage, including: lead organisations in networks/consortia; individual providers able to deliver across large regions, including at national, state or territory coverage; and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations with advocacy experience.

Applicants not fully meeting desired capabilities may receive three year grants and must show progress to be considered for funding beyond June 2029. Smaller organisations serving limited regions may apply, but are unlikely to receive six year grants due to limited funding and the focus on national coverage.

The Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program will assist livestock transport businesses, including those who have made investments in transportation of sheep and the delivery of essential export-related goods such as feed, bedding, water systems, veterinary supplies and handling equipment specifically for the live sheep export by sea trade, to transition to other transport-related activities which may require further investment.

Grant funding can be used for planning, professional and technical advice, training and co-funded investment in asset modification and acquisition.

Grant funding of up to $40,000 (GST exclusive) over both rounds, covers up to 50% of eligible costs is available. Cash co-contribution of 1:1 is required - the applicant must match the dollar value of the grant funding approved. In-kind contributions are not accepted as matching funding. Costs incurred before a grant agreement is executed or the agreed activity start date are ineligible. 

You must demonstrate a connection to the live sheep export by sea trade since 1 July 2020.

Applicants from Round 1

Applicants who were awarded the maximum grant of $40,000 (GST exclusive) in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for further funding under Round 2.

Applicants awarded less than the maximum grant of $40,000 (GST exclusive) under Round 1 may apply under Round 2 for up to the remaining balance of the grant funding for different grant activities.

Applicants who were unsuccessful in Round 1 may apply in Round 2 for the same project or a different project.