Search Grants & Funding

If you do not qualify for legal aid from a legal aid commission and cannot pay for your legal costs, you may be able to get help through a Commonwealth legal financial assistance scheme.

Help can be provided for the payment of costs for certificates issued by federal courts under the Federal Proceedings (Costs) Act 1981.

Some schemes provide legal representation costs and disbursements. Some schemes are limited to disbursements only. Disbursements are costs your legal representative incurs while acting for you such as obtaining reports, court transcripts and expert opinions.

They will not usually provide legal financial assistance:

• if you can meet your legal costs without incurring serious financial difficulty
• for costs incurred before you apply, unless the scheme allows for reimbursement.

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.

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 NSDP is a competitive grants programme and applications are open to all Men’s Sheds across Australia regardless of location or AMSA membership.

The NSDP provides direct financial assistance to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members within the shed environment; support health education for shed members, deliver appropriate activities and programmes, improve facilities and the sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.

To reflect Government policy, priority is given to:

• those Sheds in areas of greatest need e.g. regional, rural and remote and those that engage and meet the needs of members from the designated Priority Groups
• applications requesting events/improvements/equipment with a strong health, wellbeing or safety emphasis, in acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of sheds in the recovery period (and beyond).
• IT equipment and training to facilitate connectivity.
• Defibrillators

Individual Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following five funding categories:

1. Health and Wellbeing and Events-up to a maximum of $8000-assistance with costs incurred for the delivery of men’s health screening programmes, activities that advance health and well-being of their male members, costs to attend health focussed events and education programmes, planning and delivery of regional Men’s Health events, health and safety equipment and resources
2. Shed Improvements up to a maximum of $8000– funding to be used for improvements, modifications or refurbishment to an existing building or space to allow for the operation of the Men’s Shed. PLEASE NOTE: the building of a new Men’s Shed is not supported under this Programme.
3. Tools and Equipment – $5,000 maximum -the priority focus in Category Three is providing financial support to new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old) and those Men’s Sheds that can who can clearly demonstrate a high need.
4. Mental health and wellbeing and events – $8000 maximum-assistance with costs incurred for the delivery of men’s Mental health activities that advance health and well-being of their male members, costs to attend events and education programmes, planning and delivery of regional Men’s Mental Health events, equipment and resources.
5. Automated External Defibrillators – $2,250 maximum- Men’s Sheds are eligible for funding to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator, where either: the Shed does not currently have a working defibrillator on its premises; or it has a defibrillator that was purchased prior to 2016 (hence is older than 6 years). Applicants that currently have a defibrillator can also apply for replacement batteries and pads that are not under warranty.

For over twenty years, the Community Grants program has supported and empowered communities at the margins of Australian society by walking alongside community-based organisations to improve lives through education in all its forms.

The 2026 round of the Community Grants Program will support two streams of funding:

Stream 1: Open ONLY to Sisters of Saint Joseph (SOSJ) and associated entities.

• This will be a competitive process with the stated eligibility criteria applicable to the SOSJ and associated entities who wish to apply.
• $50,000 AUD in grant money allocated for Stream 1.

Stream 2: Open to ALL applicants who meet the eligibility criteria (SOSJ and associated entities not eligible to apply under this Stream).

• This will be a competitive process with the stated eligibility criteria applicable to all organisations applying under this Stream.

The ACDGP supports international projects that tell Australian stories, amplify First Nations voices, deepen bilateral partnerships and build cultural understanding and connections overseas.

The ACDGP 2025-26 round seeks to advance Australia’s interests through activities that foster mutual understanding, deepen partnerships and connections, build trust, and strengthen Australia’s influence, reach, reputation and relationships overseas.

The objectives of the program are:

• support collaborative and innovative projects that tell Australian stories and amplify First Nations voices overseas;
• influence perceptions of Australia abroad by building cultural understanding and connections;
• build international partnerships between people and/or institutions; and
• foster a peaceful, stable and prosperous region; and
• contribute to the program objectives informed by Australia’s Cultural Policy ‘Revive’ as set out in the pillars: First Nations First; a Place for Every Story; Centrality of the Artist; and Engaging the Audience.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• increased collaboration and partnerships between Australian and international organisations/individuals in the creative industries and cultural sectors;
• increased Australian capacity to effectively engage with overseas partners, especially in the creative industries and cultural sector; and
• enhanced mutual understanding, reputation, and influence for Australia internationally.

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be a permanent resident of Australia
• have an account with an Australian financial institution
• not have any outstanding reports, acquittals, or serious breaches relating to any Australian Government funding. A serious breach is one that has resulted, or warrants, the termination of an agreement

and be one of the following entity types:

• a company incorporated in Australia 
• a company incorporated by guarantee 
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust 
• an incorporated association 
• a partnership 
• a joint (consortia) application with a lead organisation
• a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation 
• an individual who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia 
• an Australian local government body
• an Australian state or territory government body 
• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

Backing the Future is a unique philanthropic initiative from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) that recognises the power of passionate individuals to drive meaningful change for young people in rural and regional communities.

Each year the program offers up to 10 grants of $50,000 to individuals or groups of individuals in both QLD and NSW. These grants enable recipients to develop and test early-stage ideas that support young people aged 12-30 in one or more of the following areas:

• Access decent work;
• Care for the environment;
• Contribute to society; or
• Explore Christian faith and values.

The program was designed in response to feedback from VFFF’s current innovators and changemakers, who shared that the most difficult part of their impact journey was securing initial support. Backing the Future addresses this challenge by reducing the red tape often associated with grant funding and instead creating space for individuals to explore new ideas and discover what they can achieve.

The Australia for UNHCR – SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition recognises and celebrates the contribution of refugees who are shining a light on the situation of forcibly displaced people.

The winner receives $10,000, generously donated by SBS, in recognition of their work to promote positive awareness and understanding of refugees.

The judges invite nominations for individuals who are promoting positive awareness and understanding of refugees.

Nominees must: 

• Be individuals who have settled in Australia as refugees
• Demonstrate significant contributions to raising awareness of refugees and forcibly displaced people in Australia 
• Be committed to continuing to engage the Australian public in support of refugees
• Show a willingness to engage in Australia for UNHCR and SBS events, and to participate in media coverage as requested

First Nations led small to medium arts organisations are invited to submit a proposal for a one-off capacity building investment for the 2026 calendar year. This one-off investment is only eligible to legally constituted organisations or enterprises. 

The purpose of the program is to provide small to medium First Nations arts organisations with one-off capacity building investment to assist with program and artistic delivery and/or operations to the end of 2026.  

The program will support arts organisations or organisations that deliver services in support of First Nations arts and culture activity.  

Organisations approved for this investment will be eligible to apply later in 2026 for a two-year investment for 2027 and 2028. This investment is designed to assist organisations  build capacity in the areas of planning and program design in the lead up to the two-year investment opportunity.  

Organisations can apply for $60,000.  

Supported activities must take place between 1 June 2026 and 31 December 2026.  

Who can apply 

Only organisations may apply to this category. 

Organisations must: 

• identify as an Australian First Nations organisation with at least 51% First Nations board representation
• demonstrate a history of working and supporting Australian artists and/or arts workers who identify as Australian First Nations
• be based in Australia
• only submit one application to this grant initiative
• adhere to First Nations Cultural Protocols and include any relevant documentation in the application.

Coles launched the $50 million Nurture Fund in April 2015 to help Australian food and liquor producers innovate and grow.

Since then, they have offered more than $30 million in financial support to more than 90 small and medium sized businesses.

From Australia’s first quinoa processing facility, to fence posts made from recycled plastic, and a state of the art factory to grow grass indoors, the Coles Nurture Fund is helping Aussie producers bring their big ideas to life.

Australian producers can apply for a grant of up to $500,000 to help them develop new market-leading products, technologies and processes.

The Circular Fashion Fund is to help fashion businesses scale up sustainable ideas. It aims at supporting businesses who offer circular fashion solutions by offering a $50K (USD) grant to eight businesses selected as Circular Fashion Fund finalists. Additionally, eBay Ventures is offering an opportunity to receive an additional $300K (USD) investment for one business selected as the Circular Fashion Fund Global Winner.

This annual program, first launched in 2022, has already partnered with over 25 incredible businesses, helping them tackle the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, from production to end-of-life.

• Financial backing: Get the resources you need to bring your sustainable fashion ideas to life
• Brand growth: Build your reputation and get noticed as a leader in sustainability
• Mentoring: Finalists will have access to investor workshops and mentoring to help make their circular fashion dreams a reality

Who should apply?

Fashion businesses and startups that:

• Focus on solutions that keep clothing and accessories in use longer, unlock more items into circular flows and reduce waste
• Have sustainable practices in place or a clear plan to start them
• Are ready with a growth strategy that could benefit from our funding and partnership
• Build circular fashion solutions that align with eBay’s fashion business

Application assessment criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following areas:

• Ability to leverage emerging technologies to create products or services which advance fashion's circular economy
• A unique value proposition that has game-changing advantages over other alternatives
• A commercially viable and economically desirable business model
• The business not only addresses a need but also solves a problem
• The business has an immediate and long-term impact on people and the planet
• Quality and completeness of the application form
• The business solution aligns with our fashion business

The Mercy Foundation’s Social Justice Small Grants Program provides seed funding to assist communities and organisations to build capacity that will help create structural change and bring about greater social justice in Australia.

Projects that focus on bringing about greater inclusion for marginalised groups will be prioritised. 

Priority will be given to small organisations and those groups that receive no other funding.

The Small Grants program supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs.

The maximum grant has been increased to $1000 in 2022 and there will be more grants awarded (if successful) each round. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

They welcome applications that are particularly creative and innovative, and those that are put forward by individuals, communities and organisations that have not received small grant funding in the previous 2 years. They regard favourably projects that work as partnerships between individuals and organisations.

Round 1 2026
Funding priority to transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people and communities
Opens at 9am AEDT Monday 19 January 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST Monday 13 April 2026.

Round 2 2026
Funding priority to projects supporting healthy ageing for older people
Opens at 9am AEST on Monday 4 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 13 July 2026.

Round 3 2026
Funding priority to regional and rural communities
Opens at 9am AEST Monday 3 August 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday 16 November 2026.

The Small Grants program supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs.

The maximum grant has been increased to $1000 in 2022 and there will be more grants awarded (if successful) each round. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

They welcome applications that are particularly creative and innovative, and those that are put forward by individuals, communities and organisations that have not received small grant funding in the previous 2 years. They regard favourably projects that work as partnerships between individuals and organisations.

Round 1 2026
Funding priority to transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people and communities
Opens at 9am AEDT Monday 19 January 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST Monday 13 April 2026.

Round 2 2026
Funding priority to projects supporting healthy ageing for older people
Opens at 9am AEST on Monday 4 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 13 July 2026.

Round 3 2026
Funding priority to regional and rural communities
Opens at 9am AEST Monday 3 August 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday 16 November 2026.

The Small Grants program supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs.

The maximum grant has been increased to $1000 in 2022 and there will be more grants awarded (if successful) each round. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

They welcome applications that are particularly creative and innovative, and those that are put forward by individuals, communities and organisations that have not received small grant funding in the previous 2 years. They regard favourably projects that work as partnerships between individuals and organisations.

Round 1 2026
Funding priority to transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people and communities
Opens at 9am AEDT Monday 19 January 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST Monday 13 April 2026.

Round 2 2026
Funding priority to projects supporting healthy ageing for older people
Opens at 9am AEST on Monday 4 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 13 July 2026.

Round 3 2026
Funding priority to regional and rural communities
Opens at 9am AEST Monday 3 August 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday 16 November 2026.