Search Grants & Funding

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 Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award is a new category within Creative Australia First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, established in memory of the late Rhoda Roberts AO, one of Australia's most influential First Nations cultural leaders, broadcasters, festival directors and arts advocates. The award will be presented for the first time in 2027. 

The award honours the legacy, leadership and transformational contribution of Rhoda Roberts AO. Throughout her career, Rhoda demonstrated courage, cultural authority, innovation and an extraordinary ability to create new opportunities for First Nations artists and communities. Her influence extended beyond artistic achievement and advocacy through her work creating pathways for others, fostering innovation, leading major cultural events and festivals, and building national and international connections that strengthened the visibility and impact of First Nations arts and culture. 

The Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award recognises a First Nations leader whose visionary work, innovation and influence have transformed the arts and cultural sector through pioneering approaches and the creation of new opportunities for others. It celebrates individuals whose leadership has opened doors, expanded opportunities and driven lasting change for First Nations artists, cultural practitioners and communities. 

The award seeks to recognise individuals whose impact extends beyond their own artistic achievements or advocacy efforts and whose work has made a significant contribution to the development and growth of the sector. This may include creating new pathways and opportunities, leading innovative initiatives, working across multiple artforms and disciplines, building cultural and industry connections, and expanding opportunities for First Nations artists nationally and internationally. 

In recognition of Rhodas' legacy, the award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated visionary leadership and whose contribution has left a lasting impact and effected substantial change across the First Nations arts and cultural landscape, creating opportunities and possibilities (that didn't exist prior) for future generations. 

The Connect IRL Phase 2 grant aims to support children and young people aged 8-24 from identified priority youth cohorts. This has been influenced through the recent Space to Speak consultation.

• Access safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces to connect with others and participate in community life and build meaningful relationships and social connections that foster a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion.
• Receive enhanced and targeted mentoring including trauma-informed and lived experience approaches, and to enable mentors to more effectively support them to form meaningful connections in real life environments.
• Respond to emerging and locally identified needs through initiatives that strengthen community engagement and create opportunities for input in decisions that affect them.
• Develop skills, confidence and capabilities needed to navigate transitions, pursue education and employment opportunities and actively contribute to their communities through civic, leadership or through structured mentoring programs that promote healthy relationships, empathy, mutual respect, and active civic participation.
• Strengthen offline connections by delivering inclusive, pro-social activities and safe discussion spaces that support mental health, physical health, practical skill development and healthy relationships that foster mutual understanding, reduce isolation, and build peer networks — with a focus on those from marginalised, diverse, or geographically isolated communities.

Eligibility

All applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria to be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be:

• Not for profit companies limited by guarantee, registered with the ACNC and/or with DGR status.
• NSW associations or non-distributing co-operatives registered with NSW Fair Trading.
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• Not-for-profit Indigenous corporations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
• NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993.
• Not-for-profit entities incorporated under an Act of Parliament.
• Incorporated Association registered outside of NSW but with an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN).

The Health and Development Participation (HDP) Grant funding aims to support early learning service providers to embed suitable strategies to enable their partnership, and children’s participation, in the Health and Development Checks in Early Learning Services (HDC) Program and related capacity building supports. The key objective of the HDP Grant is to increase awareness of and engagement with the HDC Program.

Stream 1 is designed for eligible long day care and community preschools.

Who can apply

• Not-for-profit community preschool (centre based); 
• Not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT system, or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request), including a local government managed service; 
• For-profit providers operating up to 3 long day care services (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT system); 

The Health and Development Participation (HDP) Grant funding aims to support early learning service providers to embed suitable strategies to enable their partnership, and children’s participation, in the Health and Development Checks in Early Learning Services (HDC) Program and related capacity building supports. The key objective of the HDP Grant is to increase awareness of and engagement with the HDC Program.

Stream 2 is designed for eligible early-leaning led Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Who can apply

Be an approved EL service operated by an Approved Provider who meets the definition of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) under Clause 44 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (2020), and confirm that the approved EL service is: 

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

The purpose of the First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund is to support the growth of a strong, sustainable and NSW First Nations-led cultural tourism sector in New South Wales by:

• Supporting NSW First Nations artists, creatives, organisations and businesses to develop, showcase and deliver culturally strong, tourism-ready experiences.
• Increasing the availability, visibility and quality of NSW First Nations cultural and creative tourism experiences across NSW.
• Strengthening partnerships between arts, culture, and tourism sectors to improve market access, collaboration and participation.
• Delivering economic, community and cultural outcomes led by and for NSW First Nations communities.

The intended long-term outcomes of the program are:

• Increased capability of NSW First Nations artists, creatives and organisations
• Growth in the number and diversity of NSW First Nations tourism-ready cultural experiences
• Stronger market connections and visitor engagement
• Increased participation in the NSW visitor economy
• Improved economic and cultural outcomes for NSW First Nations communities.

Create NSW aims to allocate 50% of the program budget to applicants from regional NSW.   

Types of projects funded under this grant

All funded activities must be First Nations-led and demonstrate appropriate cultural authority, culture governance and community support where relevant.

Tier 1 - DEVELOP

Projects at this tier focus on developing, testing and preparing First Nations arts, cultural and tourism experiences

Value: $20,000 to $50,000 (excluding GST)

Funding supports early-stage arts, cultural and tourism projects and activities, including:

• concept development
• product development
• business and capability building
• market testing
• pilot visitor experiences
• partnership development
• feasibility and planning activities.

Tier 2 - GROW

Projects at this tier focus on expanding, strengthening and growing established First Nations arts, cultural and tourism experiences

Value: $50,001 to $100,000 (excluding GST)

Funding supports existing arts, cultural and tourism projects and activities ready to expand, launch or scale:

• expansion of existing tourism experiences
• development of tourism-ready products and services
• market development and audience growth
• visitor experience enhancements
• strategic partnerships and collaborations
• delivery of larger-scale projects and experiences.

The Holiday Break Grants Program is an NSW Government initiative supporting free, structured activities for young people aged 12–24 during school holidays, improving access to inclusive, high-quality recreational and social opportunities.

Successful applications funded under this grant round will address all the Program objectives:

1. Increase access to activities Increase the availability of free, structured recreational and social activities for young people aged 12–24 years during school holiday periods.
2. Reduce barriers to participation Address financial, geographic and accessibility barriers that may limit young people’s ability to participate in activities within their local communities.
3. Support inclusive and targeted delivery Encourage activities that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse groups of young people, particularly those who may experience disadvantage or exclusion.
4. Promote positive youth development Support activities that build young people’s skills, confidence, creativity and social connection in a safe and supportive environment.
5. Encourage community engagement and connection Strengthen connections between young people, their peers and their local communities through meaningful participation in shared activities.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be:

Local government organisations, boards or groups:

• NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act)
• Joint Organisations (s400O of the LG Act)
• Regional Organisations of Councils (which are voluntary groupings of councils).
• the Lord Howe Island Board
• the Unincorporated Far West group
• Section 355 Committees of Councils (must apply in the name of the relevant Council and must have permission to apply)

Indigenous and Aboriginal Organisations

• a Local Aboriginal Land Council
• Not-for-profit Indigenous Corporation (registered under Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006)

Other

• Not-for-profit organisations and community organisations registered with the Australian Charities and not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• Incorporated organisations registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporations Act 2009.

Other Mandatory Criteria

The following are mandatory program requirements:

• maintain adequate and current insurance cover including, but not limited to Workers Compensation Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance. 
• have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase it. Please note that the Office for Youth will not enter into a Funding Agreement with an eligible entity until the evidence of such an insurance is provided. 
• address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions. 
• not have outstanding acquittals with the Department of Communities and Justice or the Office for Youth.
• The organisation must be operating in NSW, and all proposed activities or events must be delivered in NSW for young people living in NSW. LGAs or Unincorporated Areas on border locations within NSW may be eligible to conduct projects and activities in their neighbouring state if declared during the application process.
• Activities or events must be held during relevant school holidays period.
• Each organisation may submit one application only under this program and cannot be included as a downstream recipient in another application.

Organisations with specialist expertise in LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing are invited to apply for one-off competitive grants to support new and existing initiatives at the local, regional and national level that will foster access to appropriate, culturally sound and inclusive health care. It is expected that this will be the final substantive LGBTIQA+ Health Program (LHP) disbursement for the 2026-2027 financial year.

The primary objective of the LGBTIQA+ Health Program (LHP) is to support LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations and, where appropriate, generalist organisations to deliver new services or expand existing services, in partnership with LGBTIQA+ communities.

The LHP will prioritise resources and opportunities for LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations, or generalist organisations that have written support from at least one LGBTIQA+ organisation. Successful proposals must show demonstrated expertise in the delivery of LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing services, genuine partnerships, and build the
capacity and leadership of LGBTIQA+ organisations.

The Print Disability Services Program (PDSP) contributes to the priorities of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31, to ensure that information, including printed information, is inclusive and accessible for all Australians. 

Under this grant opportunity, funding will be available for up to 4 years. 

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to support organisations to produce print material in alternative formats for people with print disability who are unable to read standard print with ease due to vision impairment, a physical disability or a learning disability. 

Funding under the PDSP is to produce digital masters of print material, to reflect current and emerging technology and to ensure accessible and the highest quality material is available to the end user. The availability of this material may be provided directly through the organisations selected to provide the output in the variety of appropriate print disability accessible formats or via another eligible organisation that provide the materials to the consuming print disability individual, at no charge to the person.

The Rebuilding Futures grant program seeks to support communities to strengthen their resilience to significant disasters by undertaking a wide range of medium to long-term community-led disaster recovery, prevention and preparedness projects for community benefit.

The CommBank Next Chapter is CommBank's commitment to help end financial abuse and support people on their road to long-term financial independence.

Through Next Chapter Innovation, they partner with community organisations to develop practical responses to financial abuse. Recognising that some of the most effective solutions are shaped by the people closest to the issue, drawing on lived experience, frontline expertise and strong community connections.

Since launching in 2023, Next Chapter Innovation has supported organisations addressing complex and emerging forms of financial abuse, including:

• Technology-facilitated abuse
• Dowry abuse
• Financial abuse in small business settings
• Pathways to recovery after financial abuse
• Financial abuse affecting First Nations communities

Next Chapter Innovation 2026 is for eligible organisations developing innovative approaches to identifying, responding or preventing financial abuse of older people.

The Zanda McDonald Award is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most prestigious leadership opportunities for emerging professionals in primary industries, aged 21–35.

Through exceptional mentoring, influential industry connections and career-defining experiences, the Award helps ambitious people accelerate their careers, broaden their perspectives and create meaningful impact across the primary industries sector.

• Learn from exceptional leaders.

• Connect with the best in trans-Tasman agriculture.

• Experience opportunities few early-career professionals ever receive.

• Grow your capability, professionally and personally

The Responsible Wood Community Grants Program aims to enhance the connection and build positive long-lasting relationships with local community groups and their local forests and the forest managers, by:

• Supporting communities undertake projects or activities that better enable physical connection of people and forests or wood products.
• Providing an opportunity for communities to leverage funding from a variety of sources to complete forest access or timber utilisation projects that otherwise would not be possible.
• Supporting certified forest growers and chain of custody producers to build their relationships with their local communities.
• Linking community with Responsible Wood certified forest growers or timber product producers who have Responsible Wood Chain of Custody certification.
• Providing an opportunity to promote to local communities the value and benefits of sustainably managed certified forests and wood products.
• Supporting the forest industries through promotion of Responsible Wood certification.

The Young Promoter Fund supports music promoters aged 18-30 to deliver contemporary live music events, build professional skills, grow community connections, and strengthen pathways into the live music industry.

You can request up to $5,000 per event, to a maximum of $25,000. 

Additional funding is available for young promoters to engage a mentor to support the development and delivery of their live music series. There are two types of mentorship opportunities:

• applicant identified mentorship – if you already have an experienced industry professional you want to be mentored by you can request an extra $5,000 to support their involvement. You just need to allocate this additional request into your grant request and justify it with eligible costs in the expenditure table of your budget.
• Sound NSW facilitated mentorship – if successful, we can find an experienced industry professional to act as your mentor. We will pay the mentor directly. 

The Creative NSW Collaboration Fund is intended to back projects that bring together a number of creative disciplines and demonstrate strong public visibility, alignment with major festival periods, and potential to tour, remount or reach interstate or international markets. 

The fund is to support ambitious, creative collaborations and partnerships that develop and present new or significantly expanded creative activity and build a critical mass of experiences during NSW’s peak summer and winter periods.

The program prioritises:

• creative led collaboration across artforms, supporting mid-tier to established practitioners to evolve their practice, networks, and develop new audiences at existing festivals or events, or in partnership with a NSW Cultural Institution,
• new activity that complements or uplifts existing festivals or events, or activates precincts or public spaces during these key periods,
• accessible and unexpected audience experiences.

The program will:

• support the development and presentation of high-quality collaborative works that combine a number of creative disciplines
• prioritise projects with scale and public visibility, including projects presented in public space, in precincts or in connection with established summer or winter festival periods
• encourage partnerships between artists, creative organisations or collectives and festivals, or NSW cultural institutions and other NSW Government agencies
• support proposals that deliver strong artistic outcomes while demonstrating feasible delivery and sound governance
• develop and expand audiences, with priority on young people, all ages and accessibility for the community.