Grants
Finding Grants for Not-for-Profits in Australia
A plain-English guide to finding federal, state, and local grants for Australian not-for-profit groups — where to look and how to stay ready.
Australian not-for-profits can access grants from three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local council. Knowing where each level funds and how to stay on top of opening dates is half the battle.
Why the three levels matter
Federal, state, and local grants fund different things and run on different timelines. If you only watch one source, you miss most of what is available to you.
- Federal grants cover national priorities — community infrastructure, multicultural programs, disability inclusion, sport, arts, veterans, and more. They tend to be larger but more competitive.
- State and territory grants focus on community wellbeing, the arts, sport, and local development within each jurisdiction. The Victorian Community Support Fund is one well-known example.
- Local council grants are smaller but far more accessible. The application process is lighter, and councils actively want to fund groups in their own municipality.
A not-for-profit that watches all three levels will always have something worth applying for.
Finding federal grants
Grants.gov.au is the Australian Government's central register for federal funding. You can filter by state, category, and organisation type. Set up an email alert for the categories that match your work — it is free and saves you checking manually.
Federal departments also run their own programs outside the register. It is worth checking the websites of the departments most relevant to your group's work directly. Your federal MP's office is another useful contact. Local programs such as the Stronger Communities Program are allocated per electorate, and the MP's office can tell you when the next round opens and what the process involves.
Federal applications generally ask for more detail than council or state grants. Allow extra lead time — three to four weeks is not too much for a first application.
Finding state and territory grants
Each state and territory runs its own grants programs through multiple portfolios. Common areas include sport and recreation, arts and culture, community wellbeing, and emergency preparedness. The Victorian Government, for example, distributes funding through Sport and Recreation Victoria, Creative Victoria, and the Community Support Fund, among others.
Check your state's central grants portal at least twice a year. Many programs open on a fixed annual schedule, so if you know the rough timing you can plan ahead. Our guide Where to Find Grants for Victorian Community Groups covers the Victorian landscape in more detail.
New programs are announced in each state budget cycle, so a quick search after each budget release is worthwhile.
Finding local council grants
Your local council is often the best starting point for smaller community groups. Council grants tend to be in the range of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and the process is usually lighter than state or federal programs. Assessors are local, which means they understand your community context.
To find what is available:
- Search your council's website for "community grants" or "community funding".
- Check whether they have a grants officer — a short phone call can save you hours of guessing.
- Sign up to the council's e-newsletter. Grant rounds are often announced there before the main website is updated.
Most councils run at least one annual round. Some also have discretionary or quick-response funds that are open year-round for smaller requests.
Other sources worth knowing
Beyond government grants, some not-for-profits are eligible to apply to private foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs. These are separate from government grants and have their own eligibility rules. They are worth researching once you have government funding sources covered, but government grants are usually the more reliable starting point for community groups.
Community foundations operate in many regions of Australia and often fund local groups at a grassroots level. A quick web search for "community foundation [your region]" will show you what exists nearby.
Eligibility: what you usually need
Most grant programs require your group to be incorporated — either as an incorporated association under your state's legislation or as another recognised legal structure. Some federal programs also require DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, which is a tax endorsement issued by the Australian Taxation Office.
If your group is not incorporated, an auspice arrangement may let you still access funding. Under an auspice, an eligible organisation receives and manages the grant on your behalf. It takes on legal responsibility for the funds. Many new or informal groups use this path while they complete their incorporation.
Staying organised so you don't miss a round
The most common reason community groups miss grants is not knowing a round is open. A simple tracker with the program name, funder, amount range, likely opening date, and status is all you need.
Swoop's free Grant Tracker is a ready-to-use version you can share with your committee. It means the whole committee can see what is coming up, not just the one person who has been watching.
Once you have found a good opportunity, the next step is writing a strong application. Our guide How to Write a Grant Application That Gets Funded walks through the process step by step — from reading the guidelines to submitting with confidence.
A note on reporting obligations
Grants come with strings. Most programs require you to spend the money as described in your application and to submit an acquittal report at the end. Read the funding agreement before you sign it so there are no surprises. Our guide on acquittal reports covers what is expected.
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If you want to talk through where to start with grants for your group, book a yarn — happy to point you in the right direction.
Common questions
- Where do Australian not-for-profits find grants?
- Start with Grants.gov.au for federal funding and your state government's grants portal for state-level programs. Your local council is often the most accessible funder for smaller community groups. Keeping a simple tracker means you never miss a round opening.
- Do we need DGR status to get grants?
- Not always. Many programs accept incorporated associations without DGR status. Some federal programs do require it, or a financial contribution from an eligible partner. Check each program's eligibility criteria before you start writing.
- What is the difference between a grant and a sponsorship?
- A grant is funding from a government body or foundation with defined conditions and reporting requirements. A sponsorship usually comes from a private business in exchange for recognition. Both are legitimate income sources, but grants require you to meet strict eligibility and acquittal obligations.
- How often do federal grant rounds open?
- It varies by program. Some open on a fixed annual schedule; others open multiple times a year or are always-open with rolling assessments. Subscribing to email alerts on Grants.gov.au is the most reliable way to catch new rounds.
- What happens if we miss a grant round?
- For most programs you wait until the next round — often a full year. That is why tracking likely opening dates in advance matters. Use the time between rounds to prepare your supporting documents and strengthen your case.