Notifications & Alerts

Scam Alerts

Possible scam alert

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has recently received reports of an email scam where a scammer posing as a representative of the department has emailed members of the public offering a $120,000 grant under the Social Enterprise Development Initiative program. The scammer requests the victim’s contact details, and then sends through a false ‘grant certificate’ to notify them they have been selected, which includes a falsified signature of a senior department officer. To gain access to the payment, victims are then told they need to pay a $250 fee to unlock a debit card. 

If you are contacted by one of these scam attempts, do not provide any personal or financial information. 

Scams and how to report them

If you are concerned that a phone call, SMS, voicemail or email claiming to be from the ATO, the Community Grants Hub or the Department of Social Services is not genuine, do not reply to it. We encourage you to:

  • report the scam to the National Anti Scam Centre on the Scamwatch website
  • you can also report it to the relevant government department using the contact details on their website
  • for scams relating to the Department of Social Services contact the fraud reporting hotline on 1800 054 312, or email the fraud mailbox at fraud@dss.gov.au
  • contact the ATO on 1800 008 540.

If you have already provided information or are concerned that a crime has or may be committed, please immediately contact the police, your bank or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) if it relates to your passport details.

It is important to know that Departmental officers at the Department of Social Services do not:

  • cold call members of the public to promise grant funding
  • contact members of the public through social media or email to offer grant opportunities.  Legitimate grant opportunities are published on GrantConnect. Legitimate grants will never require the recipient to pay a fee to access the amounts, and debit cards are not used to disburse grant payments
  • contact members of the public seeking personal information, such as bank details, passport or license numbers.

It is a serious matter to impersonate a Commonwealth public official. It may even be a criminal offence carrying a penalty of imprisonment in some circumstances.

Further advice on scams and information on where to get help if you think you have been scammed is available from the National Anti-Scam Centre Scamwatch website.

If you think you have been scammed, find out where to get help.

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Open Grants

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Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program (FMSSP)

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Grant Category

Victims of Crime

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Open competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Social Services

The FMSSP will provide needs-based, fit-for-purpose education, prevention and early intervention to support people who are at-risk of, or who have experienced, forced marriage, complementing the existing Support for Trafficked People Program (STPP).

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Veteran Employment Program Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support (Round 2)

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Grant Category

Veterans

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Targeted competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

The purpose of the program is to support Australian universities to recognise the skills and learning gained from Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, and in so doing, support veterans seeking to undertake tertiary education.

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Cyber Security: Cyber Awareness Support for Vulnerable Groups

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Grant Category

Community Development

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Open competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Home Affairs

This grants program will improve cyber security awareness among vulnerable Australians. Successful applicants such as advocacy, not-for-profit and community groups will tailor national cyber security materials and deliver cyber literacy programs that are fit-for-purpose for diverse communities.

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Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia – Round 2 Assessment Cycle 2

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Grant Category

Indigenous Communities

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Open non-competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Attorney-General’s Department

Successful initiatives under this opportunity will prevent and reduce Central Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ contact with the criminal justice system through place-based, community led measures to prevent crime, treat drug and alcohol addiction or address illegal drug use.

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A group of hands reaching out to the sky.

National Justice Reinvestment Program – Round 2 Assessment Cycle 2

A group of hands reaching out to the sky.

Grant Category

Indigenous Communities

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Open non-competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Attorney-General’s Department

The National Justice Reinvestment Program aims to reduce contact with the criminal justice system and incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people through support for place-based and community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia.

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Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program

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Grant Category

Commemorative

Closing Date & Time

AEDT

Selection Process

Open competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program aims to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s defence personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families.

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