Caretaker message

Before an election, the Australian Government assumes a caretaker role. Limited updates will be made to this site in line with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.

Notifications & Alerts

Scam Alerts

With the timing of the budget announcement and the election being called the Department of Social Services (DSS) expects an increase in Government material online and on social media, and the opportunity for potential scams.

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 [email protected]
  • 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 at www.grants.gov.au. 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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A RAAF Iroquois helicopter, A2-649, from No 9 Squadron re-supplies troops of the First Australian

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program

A RAAF Iroquois helicopter, A2-649, from No 9 Squadron re-supplies troops of the First Australian

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 service personnel who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations, including National Service personnel, and their families.
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Community Legal Services Program 2025-2030

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Grant Category

Legal Services

Closing Date & Time

AEDT

Selection Process

Closed non-competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Attorney-General's Department
The program aims to achieve a national legal assistance sector that is integrated, efficient, and effective, and appropriate legal assistance services that are focused on improving outcomes and keeping the justice system within reach for vulnerable people facing disadvantage.
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Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program 2025–26

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Grant Category

Veterans

Closing Date & Time

AEST

Selection Process

Demand-driven

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Veterans' Affairs
The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program supports the role of ex-service organisation (ESO) wellbeing and compensation advocates, who provide advice and assistance to the veteran and defence communities.
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Australian Government. Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.

CEWH Environmental Activities

Australian Government. Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.

Grant Category

Water Resources

Closing Date & Time

AEDT

Selection Process

Open non-competitive

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The CEWH Environmental Activities grant provides funding for environmental activities projects that aim to restore or improve the health of rivers, floodplains and wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin. Environmental activities projects are funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
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image of a young tree

Forestry Industry - Support Plantation Establishment Round 3 - Batches 1, 2 and 3

image of a young tree

Grant Category

Agriculture

Closing Date & Time

AEDT

Selection Process

Demand-driven

Delivered on behalf of

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
This grant supports the establishment of new long rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests and assists the sector to respond to the projected growth in demand for domestically sourced timber resources, contributing to Australia’s carbon emissions reduction commitments.
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