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.
Families and Communities Program – Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity – Round 3
Strong and Resilient Communities - Inclusive Communities grants will support the social and economic participation of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in their communities by providing funding that supports:
the development of young people aged 12 to 18 years who are, or are at risk of, being disengaged, marginalised and having limited engagement with education/training
people with disabilities and/or mental health issues to participate in their community, and work towards becoming and/or remaining independent and engaged
women who experience, or are at risk of, isolation or discrimination, to participate in their community and increase their sense of self agency and empowerment
people who are unemployed to address individual barriers to social and economic participation and employment by increasing their capacity for engagement with existing employment, community supports, and training services, as they work towards gaining meaningful employment.
Funding will be available to eligible organisations to deliver one-off, time-limited, new projects in their communities. Projects may include a trial, seed or start-up project to establish new activities, short-term interventions, or the significant reframing of existing activities.
Last updated:
Apply to be the Grants Administrator of SEDI
Calling all changemakers!
The Department of Social Services is thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the position of Grants Administrator – Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI).
If you are passionate about making a positive impact on our community and you want to help the social enterprise sector in Australia grow, this opportunity is for you! SEDI will grow the social impact market, by building the capability of eligible for-purpose organisations to be more sustainable and have improved social impact.
To find out more about the opportunity (including eligibility criteria) and to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub.
Together, we can create a brighter future, supporting social enterprises to help Australians facing disadvantage.
Applications close 6 December 2023.
Last updated:
Help shape the future of the Not-for-Profit sector
The Not-for-Profit (NFP) Sector Development Blueprint (the NFP Blueprint) issues paper is now available on the DSS Engage website for feedback.
The NFP Blueprint issues paper will start a conversation to inform the development of a sector led Blueprint, a roadmap, advising the government what is needed for a sustainable NFP and charities sector. This is the sector’s opportunity to tell the government what they need to create a better future for:
the Australian NFP and charities sector
those who benefit and rely on it.
Development of a NFP Blueprint was announced by the Australian Government in the 2022-23 October Budget. The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG), a group of sector representatives, was established to deliver the sector-led Blueprint.
Your input, ideas and views will help create a more vibrant and thriving NFP and charities sector. The BERG wants your suggestions for sector-led workable and effective reform options. This opportunity will allow you to identify:
changes that are needed immediately
changes that can be implemented over a longer period.
To share your views and help support long-term change for the NFP and charities sector, and to register your interest in attending an online forum about the Blueprint, visit the DSS Engage website.
Submissions close on 20 December 2023.
Last updated:
Disability Employment Expos Grant Opportunity
The Disability Employment expos will provide people with disability with high support needs, and their families and carers, with information on a range of employment pathways and available supports. The program was announced as part of the Government’s 2023–24 Budget.
$1.44 million is available from 2023–24 to 2024–25 for the expos.
The grant opportunity is open to a single provider or consortium who can deliver up to 8 expos nationally, including one virtual expo.
The overarching outcomes intended for this grant are for people with high support needs because of their disability, and their families, to have:
a better understanding of the various pathways to employment, and the role that employment related supports and services can play
an opportunity to connect with local employers, including mainstream employers, who may be open to hiring people with disability, including those with high support needs.
Last updated:
Supported Employment: Structural Adjustment Fund Grant Opportunity
The Structural Adjustment Fund (the Fund) will run over 3 years from 2023–24 to 2025–26. The program was announced as part of the Government’s 2023–24 Budget.
The grant opportunity will support the employment of people with high support needs, with a view of assisting the sector to evolve in line with the guiding principles for the future of supported employment. The Fund will seek to support projects that enable the introduction of innovative approaches to:
create pathways to open employment
allow supported employment workplaces to better meet community expectations
create sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.
Up to $29.5 million is available under the Fund, with grants to be allocated over 2 rounds. There will be up to $20 million available in this first round, with individual grants expected to be between $50,000 and $500,000. A second round is expected to open in the second half of 2024.
The Fund will be open to applicants or consortia where the applicant or lead applicant is a registered NDIS provider.
A wide variety of projects will be considered, however all eligible grant activities under the Fund must:
clearly align with the guiding principles for the future of supported employment
support people with high support needs to progress towards their employment goals.
Projects that rely on an existing evidence base for delivery of effective employment supports will be prioritised.
Last updated:
Disability Employment Advocacy and Information Program Grant Opportunity
The Disability Employment Advocacy and Information Program (the Advocacy Program) grant opportunity will provide people with high support needs, their families and carers, with access to advocacy support and information to build their confidence and understanding about their rights and options at work. The program was announced as part of the Government’s 2023–24 Budget.
$9.8 million is available from 2023–24 to 2026–27 for the Advocacy Program.
The Advocacy Program will be open to a single provider or consortium who can provide the following, disability employment specific services Australia wide:
case based advocacy support, where people with high support needs and their families would have the opportunity to access short term, one-on-one assistance to solve a particular employment issue
group based workshops, events or information sessions for people with high support needs – both online and in person
group based workshops, events or information sessions for families and carers of people with high support needs, both online and in person.
If capacity allows, the provider could also deliver facilitated peer networks and individual mentoring/leadership development for people with high support needs and families and carers.
All services must be delivered with a supported-decision making approach, where the will, preferences and rights of people with disability and their families and carers is respected and supported.
Last updated:
Have your say on ways to help strengthen the community sector
The Australian Government is committed to developing a stronger, more diverse and independent community sector.
Public consultation is now open on an issues paper. Your feedback will inform a package of recommendations the department is developing on innovative approaches to grant funding for the community sector.
The issues paper has 5 focus areas for discussion:
Giving the sector the voice and respect it deserves through a meaningful working partnership.
Providing grants that reflect the real cost of delivering quality services.
Providing longer grant agreement terms.
Ensuring grant funding flows to a greater diversity of Community Service Organisations.
Partnering with trusted community organisations with strong local links.
To share your views and help support long-term change for the sector that provides support to individuals, families and communities when they need it most, visit the DSS Engage website.
Submissions close on 7 November 2023.
Last updated:
Disability Representative Organisations grant opportunity
The Disability Representative Organisations (DRO) grant opportunity will provide funding of up to $10.208 million (GST exclusive) over 2 years from 2024-25 to 2025-26 ($5.104 million per year) to organisations to provide systemic advocacy for Australians with disability.
The DRO program provides the opportunity for people with disability, and their representative organisations, to have their views communicated to the Australian Government. Organisations funded under the DRO grant opportunity will participate in a range of engagement activities with the Australian Government, to ensure that disability issues and a diversity of voices are represented in decision-making, legislation, policy development and implementation of programs and policies that may affect people with disability.
Information Session
An information session will be held for potential applicants. This session will provide an opportunity for organisations who are intending to apply to ask questions about the grant opportunity. Following the information session, questions and responses will be made available through the Questions and Answers document available on the GrantConnect website. Details on the information session will be made available when the grant round opens.
Last updated:
New ‘Financial Reporting Requirements’ information pages for Grant Recipients
The Community Grants Hub has recently updated the information available for grant recipients on the Financial Reporting Requirements page.
You can now access clearer advice on your financial reporting requirements, including information on how to meet your financial reporting obligations, complete and submit the online acquittal form and where to go for more information.
The pages can be viewed by right-clicking 'Information', 'Information for recipients', then 'Financial reporting requirements'.
If you have any questions about your financial acquittal requirements, please get in touch with your Funding Arrangement Manager.
Last updated:
Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program – Inclusion Round
The Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program (Safe Places) provides capital grants to fund the building, renovation or purchase of new emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing violence.
As part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, the Government committed $100 million over 5 years (2022-23 to 2026-27) to continue the Safe Places program through the Safe Places Inclusion Round (Inclusion Round). Of this, up to $90.9 million is available for grants over 4 years (2023-24 to 2026-27).
The Inclusion Round will focus on improving access to appropriate emergency accommodation for First Nations women and children, women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women and children with disability. This includes those who experience the intersection of racism, ableism and sexism.
The Inclusion Round is being delivered via a competitive grant round, which will open for applications on GrantConnect.
Virtual information sessions will be held shortly after the opening of the Inclusion Round to assist organisations to apply for a grant.
