Grants and Funding Newsletter
April 2015
April 2015
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NEWSLETTER
We will providing the newsletter quarterly with the aim to keep you informed on grants and funding for your council and community. I am writing this in the beautiful Canberra autumn, sitting amongst the leaves and the now cool nights. The newsletter has emerged from demand, in response to many requests for information on what is happening in Canberra, and in later editions in each capital city. We will providing the newsletter quarterly with the aim to keep you informed on grants and funding for your council and community. |
Thank you
Section51 has been running for four years now, and the words ‘thank you’ are what we hear most for the grants and funding help we provide for councils across Australia. Thank you for getting out of Canberra and traveling to the Pilbara in Western Australia to run a workshop on the funding system, for coming to Newcastle in New South Wales to prepare the final report on the Commonwealth funded Museum or to the northwest coast of Tasmania to talk about upgrading the greens for the local Council owned Bowling Club. We receive a thank you for getting money out of Canberra and for obtaining funding from your State Government, for everything from health projects to libraries and everything in between. All the while ensuring that delivery and risk is managed smoothly |
MONEY TRENDS APRIL 2015
For money the trends are telling us that, despite the budget crisis, the Commonwealth Government is following the traditional electoral cycle of shifting from policy development to delivery, ie grants and funding.
With the Commonwealth budget in May and debate over the GST and Iron Ore prices you may be wondering if there is any money left for grants. There is, and the reason we know is that we look behind the noise and have a series of indicators that we use to determine what is actually happening. Four of these indicators are Policies, Websites, Media releases and the Canberra Public service. While we cannot predict the future, these indicators enable us to work out with some degree of accuracy what may happen with funding for local government over the year ahead. These are our thoughts for April 2015.
For grants attached to policy the indicators show the current Commonwealth Government has placed a heavy emphasis on Inquiries. The topic areas for the inquiries include natural disaster funding, energy efficiency, public infrastructure, mental health and intergeneration equity. Funding for some, if not all these topic areas are a real possibility in 2015/16, despite the budget crisis.
Funding references on Websites of Commonwealth Government Departments have changed significantly in the last six months. In mid-2014 they were all about cutting programs while Departments downsized and many had not removed the previous government’s policies. The trend in early 2015 is ‘activity and new programs’, with words like climate change, energy efficiency and programs delivery now re-appearing and grants already hinted with the policy agenda. There is inconsistency though and only about half of the Commonwealth Departments websites have caught up with current policies. As you can see from the grants list below, access websites with caution and a grain of salt but they are a great source of information on future funding opportunities.
Media Releases are either about crisis or good news stories. In 2014 the Commonwealth Media Releases were about crisis. The real trend in early 2015 has been towards the good news announcements of successful grants. Even with the ‘crises’ of the lead up to the budget, the good news stories now dominate. The reason is that the government needs friends and grants provide the friends they need.
Hints on funding can be seen from the Departments that have received the greatest cutbacks in Public Service numbers. The Department of Infrastructure has had very few redundancies for example. The Canberra Public Service is growing again, although the government won’t tell you that. My friends inside the service are telling me that significant numbers of contractors are being engaged although that varies from Department to Department.
Adding the four indicators up the trends are telling us that, despite the rhetoric, the Commonwealth Government is following the traditional electoral cycle of shifting from policy development to delivery, ie grants and funding. In between all the chaos, the government recognises they need good news, they need public servants to get grant programs going, and friends to deliver, which means local government.
For money the trends are telling us that, despite the budget crisis, the Commonwealth Government is following the traditional electoral cycle of shifting from policy development to delivery, ie grants and funding.
With the Commonwealth budget in May and debate over the GST and Iron Ore prices you may be wondering if there is any money left for grants. There is, and the reason we know is that we look behind the noise and have a series of indicators that we use to determine what is actually happening. Four of these indicators are Policies, Websites, Media releases and the Canberra Public service. While we cannot predict the future, these indicators enable us to work out with some degree of accuracy what may happen with funding for local government over the year ahead. These are our thoughts for April 2015.
For grants attached to policy the indicators show the current Commonwealth Government has placed a heavy emphasis on Inquiries. The topic areas for the inquiries include natural disaster funding, energy efficiency, public infrastructure, mental health and intergeneration equity. Funding for some, if not all these topic areas are a real possibility in 2015/16, despite the budget crisis.
Funding references on Websites of Commonwealth Government Departments have changed significantly in the last six months. In mid-2014 they were all about cutting programs while Departments downsized and many had not removed the previous government’s policies. The trend in early 2015 is ‘activity and new programs’, with words like climate change, energy efficiency and programs delivery now re-appearing and grants already hinted with the policy agenda. There is inconsistency though and only about half of the Commonwealth Departments websites have caught up with current policies. As you can see from the grants list below, access websites with caution and a grain of salt but they are a great source of information on future funding opportunities.
Media Releases are either about crisis or good news stories. In 2014 the Commonwealth Media Releases were about crisis. The real trend in early 2015 has been towards the good news announcements of successful grants. Even with the ‘crises’ of the lead up to the budget, the good news stories now dominate. The reason is that the government needs friends and grants provide the friends they need.
Hints on funding can be seen from the Departments that have received the greatest cutbacks in Public Service numbers. The Department of Infrastructure has had very few redundancies for example. The Canberra Public Service is growing again, although the government won’t tell you that. My friends inside the service are telling me that significant numbers of contractors are being engaged although that varies from Department to Department.
Adding the four indicators up the trends are telling us that, despite the rhetoric, the Commonwealth Government is following the traditional electoral cycle of shifting from policy development to delivery, ie grants and funding. In between all the chaos, the government recognises they need good news, they need public servants to get grant programs going, and friends to deliver, which means local government.
Source and acknowledgement: http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2013/12/06/PopeDdebt.jpg
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POLICY INDICATORS
The trend for inquiries in 2015 has emerged as recommendations for change in the way money is spent rather than stop spending money. When looking for money, Inquiries and studies have always been a source of finding out where the funding will come from. Inquiries have always part of government but as you know from our workshops the subject areas for the Commonwealth can be anything, depending on their current interest. This is unlike States and Local Government where you have defined work areas. Commonwealth Inquires are often about how they can get into, or out of, a particular subject area. Remember the ‘Commission of Audit’? Big picture Inquiries underway in 2015 are ‘Reform of the Federation’ and the ‘Re-Think’ Taxation Review. They are not much use when looking for immediate grants but they may influence the long term funding arrangements for local government, so both worth watching. Relevant to local government here are literally around thirty Commonwealth topic specific inquiries at the moment, some commencing, some underway and some completed and awaiting the government’s response. A sample of some, directly relevant to local government funding is the ‘Energy Efficiency White Paper’, Productivity Commission Review of ‘Natural Disaster Funding’, the ‘White Paper on Developing Northern Australia’ and the Financial Assistance Grants Review. What these inquiries are telling us is that, like the ‘Commission of Audit’ the original instructions from the government were for the Productivity Commission or others who were undertaking the inquiry, to find ways to stop spending money. This hasn’t worked for the government though as the 2015 trend instead is for inquires to recommend a change of approach rather than stop spending money. Funding is already flowing for ‘Energy Efficiency’ but in a different way to the previous government. Natural disaster is shifting to resilience programs rather than response and Infrastructure is shifting to economic development rather than ‘just build it quickly’ which was the focus of RDAF. The politics of reducing funding to local government with changes to the Financial Assistance Grants (FAG’s) funding is obviously too hard, which is very much in your favour. Make sure your Mayors and Presidents keep lobbying on behalf of councils. |
DEPARTMENT WEB SITES
The trend for Department websites for 2015 has been to shift to the positive with policy opportunities and potential grants rather than bland and negative which was 2014. Looking for funding on Departmental Web Sites is a key recommendation of the Seciton51 workshops. We analyse Department Web Sites and there really has been a big shift in early 2015. The trend for Department websites for 2015 has been to shift to the positive with policy opportunities and potential grants rather than bland and negative which was 2014. If you have a look at The Department of Social Security web it has new pages such as ‘A New Way of Working for Grants’ which was posted on the 19th March 2015. As shown in the grants list attached there is a real focus in 2015 on grant programs. In a similar way The Department of Environment website 12 months ago was bland with words such as biodiversity and climate change hidden. They are now more visible and if you go to their news pages there are long lists of current and future grants. 
Source and acknowledgement: http://www.inkcinct.com.au/web-pages/cartoons/past/2014/2014-379--the-passing-legislation-race-SENATE-HOUSE-REPRESENTATIVES-AUSTRALIA-POLITICS-11TH-July-.jpg
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MEDIA
Media releases are avoiding budget crisis and now heading to the positive and managed, with funding announcements. Have you picked up the trend yet? A survey of Ministers media releases in early 2015 show multiple announcements of grant programs or potential programs. If you have a look at your local MP media releases you will see that they are about announcements of bridges, Green Army or other grant programs. To reinforce the message that the grants and funding cycle is turning from a slow 2014 you only need to look at the Minister for Social Services front page of his web site. There is no mention of a budget crisis or cuts to funding, rather the opposite. Media releases are now heading to the positive and managed, with funding announcements. Adjacent are the Minister for Social Services releases over a two week period which illustrates this point. http://scottmorrison.dss.gov.au/ 
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Media Releases
2 April 2015 Funding for national sporting codes to help prevent violence Sporting codes can now apply for grants to help fund violence prevention activities, assisting influential organisations across Australia in joining the battle against the scourge of domestic violence. 1 April 2015 Coalition Government provides further $1.7 million for Emergency Relief Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Scott Morrison today announced the Coalition Government is providing an extra $1.7 million in Emergency Relief grants to help ensure this crucial frontline service is available to those who need it across Australia. 23 March 2015 Coalition reverses Labor’s funding cuts on homelessness with $230 million commitment prioritising victims of domestic violence The Australian Government will provide $230 million to extend the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness for two years to 2017, with funding priority given to frontline services focusing on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, and homeless youth under 18. 21 March 2015 Celebrating Strength in Diversity Australians of all backgrounds are encouraged to celebrate our cultural diversity today, with Harmony Day marking 15 years of sharing the message that everyone belongs. |
PUBLIC SERVICE
The Commonwealth Public Servants will help you but they are rightly focused on their job, not yours.
The Commonwealth Public Service is working by the book in 2015 for a whole range of reasons. There are fewer of them in Canberra, with an increased workload and a challenging political environment. Pretty much every local government employee has been in this situation at some time and from my own personal experience a common approach is to lay low and get the job done in accordance with the rules in the most professional way possible. The Commonwealth Public Servants will help you but they are rightly focused on their job, not yours, which has implications for when you apply and even more for when you are reporting. The Commonwealth Public Service Commission Annual Report provides some statistics: ‘At 31 December 2014 there were 152,606 employees in the APS, a decrease of 10,915 or 6.7% from the December 2013 figure of 163,521.’
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FUNDING RISK
With successful grants now being announced or soon with NSRF, you are introducing new risk and uncertainty to project delivery as you now have an external Commonwealth Funding provider. Section51 has starting a new risk service based on what we know is happening with the Australian National Audit Office, the Commonwealth Public Service and the new round of grant programs. Our service applies to State Government Grant’s for similar reasons. The service is in response to the changing environment of the grant delivery world in the last 18 months with government agencies responding to increased involvement of Audit Offices in grant programs at both Commonwealth and State levels. With successful grants now being announced with NSRF, you are introducing new risk and uncertainty to project delivery as you now have an external Commonwealth Funding provider. It is the same with State that they have different timeframes, finance systems, reporting and political imperatives to you. Our new service is to take on your risk as we know how their systems work so that you can avoid their uncertainty and not put your performance and reputation at risk. |
Image source: http://www.the-alternative-accountant.com/images/zazzaudswrdsmug.gif
WORKSHOPS
Our workshops are expanding too Our workshops are expanding too, again in response to market demand. Content has been updated and there is a focus on 2015 both at a Commonwealth and State level. The biggest change is the opportunity to partner and host Section51 in running the workshop, with benefits for your organisation as host. Have a look at our workshops page to get the latest update. |
STATES
Grants and funding are all about the electoral cycle for States and Territories too.
Every State and Territory is different in their approach to grants and funding with local government and where they are in the electoral and policy cycle.
The stage in the electoral cycle for Queensland, NSW and Victoria is that the policy and program design is just beginning although with NSW there is a continuation of government with a number of previous grant programs including Resource for Regions and Environment Trust Grants are continuing. South Australia is rolling out grant programs with recently opened Regional Development Infrastructure Fund. Western Australia is leading into the election period over the next 18 months although the impact of Iron Ore prices will play out for funding. Tasmania and the Northern Territory have a series of small targeted grant programs either open or proposed. Grants and funding are all about the electoral cycle for States and Territories too.
In closing......
Thank you.
Thank you for reading though the newsletter or if you have skipped straight to here that is ok too. We have finally reached the list of grants. We have included recently closed grants with future rounds, open grants and potential future grants.
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more go to our contact us page and fill in your details or call Colin on 0423337563 or send an email directly to admin@section51.com.au
Grants and funding are all about the electoral cycle for States and Territories too.
Every State and Territory is different in their approach to grants and funding with local government and where they are in the electoral and policy cycle.
The stage in the electoral cycle for Queensland, NSW and Victoria is that the policy and program design is just beginning although with NSW there is a continuation of government with a number of previous grant programs including Resource for Regions and Environment Trust Grants are continuing. South Australia is rolling out grant programs with recently opened Regional Development Infrastructure Fund. Western Australia is leading into the election period over the next 18 months although the impact of Iron Ore prices will play out for funding. Tasmania and the Northern Territory have a series of small targeted grant programs either open or proposed. Grants and funding are all about the electoral cycle for States and Territories too.
In closing......
Thank you.
Thank you for reading though the newsletter or if you have skipped straight to here that is ok too. We have finally reached the list of grants. We have included recently closed grants with future rounds, open grants and potential future grants.
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more go to our contact us page and fill in your details or call Colin on 0423337563 or send an email directly to admin@section51.com.au
COMMONWEALTH GRANTS LIST
The list is a snapshot with some Department web sites up to date, and others with grant programs from last decade still showing.
With some searching it is possible to find grants and funding programs relevant to Local Government. The list is a snapshot with some Department web sites up to date, and others with grant programs from last decade still showing. I have deleted most of the old ones but have kept the list of funding programs that may reopen again. Current open grants are shown.
Environment
http://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/grants-funding
Environment grants currently open are:
· Protecting National Historic Sites programme - applications close 22 April 2015
· Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in NSW Round Three - applications close 30 April 2015
Environment grants areas which have funding and further rounds are likely are:
· A Cleaner Environment
· Emissions Reduction Fund
· Green Army
· Heritage grants and funding
· National Environmental Science Programme
· National Landcare Programme (link is external)
· On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
· Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and Reef Trust
· Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin
· Solar Towns
· 20 Million Trees (link is external)
· Australian Biological Resources Study
Attorney General
http://www.ag.gov.au/About/Grants/Pages/default.aspx
Summary of active grants programs
Living Safe Together Grants Programme—aims to support community organisations build capacity to deliver services to help deradicalise or divert individuals from radicalisation or violent extremism.
National Emergency Management Projects grant program—funds emergency management projects of national significance.
Native Title Anthropologist Grants Program—seeks to attract a new generation of junior anthropologists to native title work and encourage senior anthropologists to remain within the system.
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 funded projects—allows for confiscated proceeds of crime to be returned to the community by funding various anti-crime initiatives.
Safer Suburbs Programme—aims to address crime and anti-social behaviour by funding community safety measures.
Ministry for the Arts
Arts—information on funding and support opportunities to arts and cultural organisations and individual artists is available on the Ministry for the Arts website.
National Cultural Heritage Account
The National Cultural Heritage Account (the Account) ensures that Australian protected objects are kept in Australia, preserved and made accesible to the public by assisting Australian cultural organisations to buy nationally significant objects that they could otherwise not afford.
Each year, $500,000 is made available to Australian cultural organisations eligible to apply for funding from the Account.
Collections
Australia's collecting institutions play a vital role in Australia's cultural life. They safeguard , tour and celebrate Australia's rich cultural heritage, share resources, and mentor regional partners.
Community Heritage Grants
The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program aims to preserve and provide access to locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections across Australia.
The CHG program provides cash grants of up to $15,000 to assist not-for-profit community organisations such as historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives, galleries and Indigenous and migrant community groups to document, preserve, digitise and curate their collections and collection management training through community based workshops.
The CHG program is jointly funded by the Ministry for the Arts, within the Attorney-General's Department, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive.
The CHG program is administered by the National Library of Australia.
The Ministry for the Arts has programs and initiatives that support and develop quality collections and ethical collecting across Australia at a national and regional level:
Department of Industry and Science
http://www.industry.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
National Science Week Grants
Top Content
National Science Week aims to reach as many Australians as possible each year with a positive message about the impact that science has on our lives, our economy, our society and our world.
National Science Week is held in August each year (15 - 23 August in 2015). It is Australia’s major national celebration of science. It provides an opportunity for the entire science community to celebrate and showcase science to the Australian public and the world. The National Science Week website provides information on the diverse events, activities and partnerships that form National Science Week each year.
Other related Australian Government initiatives
Renewable Energy Target
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is a scheme to ensure that at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity in 2020 comes from renewable sources. The Government released a report by expert panel on the RET on 28 August 2014.
Emissions Reduction Fund
The Government is committed to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, without imposing a tax on households and businesses. Instead, the Government is committing $2.55 billion to fund practical efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Businesses and other organisations will be able to bid into an auction to sell emissions reduction credits to the government. A wide range of activities will be eligible for credits, including energy efficiency and reducing emissions from power generation and other industrial processes.
Department of Social Services
https://www.dss.gov.au/grants/grant-programmes
Grant Programmes
New Department, new grant programmes
The Department of Social Services (DSS) new grant arrangements bring together 18 programmes from five former departments into seven streamlined programmes based on common social policy functions.
The new programmes have been designed to streamline existing services to make the most of common client needs, reduce duplication and ensure the most effective and efficient approaches are used to address community needs in line with Government priorities. Key to the new arrangements is a reduction in regulation and reporting and providing a greater opportunity for innovation and collaboration in the delivery of services.
Seven grant programmes
In addition to the four existing Ageing and Aged Care programmes, three new programmes have been created:
Multicultural Arts & Festivals Grants 2015
The Australian Government is commencing a selection process to deliver services under the Strengthening Communities – Multicultural Arts and Festivals Grants - Open Funding Round for the period 01 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Funding of up to $5,000 is available for individual projects for events to be held between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.
Multicultural Arts and Festivals Grants provide community organisations with assistance to host multicultural arts and festivals projects, providing opportunities for Australians of all backgrounds to come together and experience different cultural traditions.
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants/grant-and-bursary-programs/veteran-and-community-grants
Veteran and Community Grants
Last updated 18 September 2014
About
Please note: The Veteran and Community Grants funding allocation for the 2014-2015 Financial Year has now been fully committed. It is anticipated that the next funding round will occur in July 2015.
The Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) programme aims to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life for members of the veteran community by providing funding for projects that support activities and services to sustain or enhance health and wellbeing.
V&CG is open to ex-service organisations, veteran representative groups and other organisations.
V&CG provides seed funding to develop projects that will become sustainable and financially viable and that have an ongoing benefit for members of the veteran community.
For an overview of the programme please refer to the factsheet GS03 Veteran and Community Grants.
Department of Agriculture
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/current-grants
Carbon Farming Future Program
Natural Resource Management Grants
Innovation Grants
National Landcare Programme
The Australian Government National Landcare Programme will invest $1 billion over the next four years to help drive sustainable agriculture as well as supporting the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of Australia’s natural environment.
The National Landcare Programme merges previous funding initiatives into one simple programme that puts Landcare back at the centre of natural resource management.
Across Australia, the National Landcare Programme will support sustainable land management practices to deliver long-term benefits to our communities, our environment, our economy and our country.
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/
Grants Programmes
The National Stronger Regions Fund will provide $1 billion in funding over five years for infrastructure projects in Australia’s regions.'
Round Two of the National Stronger Regions Fund will open on 15 May 2015 and close on 31 July 2015.
The Australian Government has established the Community Development Grants Programme to support needed infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies.
The Programme is an initiative of the Australian Government that will provide grant funding for projects that support the community and economic and social projects which contribute to the development and community amenity of the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The Latrobe Valley Economic Diversification programme was announced in 2013 and will provide up to $10.85 million to two infrastructure projects to support economic diversification in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
The National Partnership Agreement on South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program (the NPA) commits $265 million of Australian Government funding to the South Australian Government to support a healthy working Murray-Darling Basin.
The Australian Government has announced $106 million in funding for the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package, for projects which support the economic development of Tasmania.
The Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Programme (MDBREDP) provides approximately $100 million to assist Basin communities increase economic diversification and adjust to a water constrained environment. Each of the Basin States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia select and manage projects within their jurisdictions.
Grant Finder
http://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/grant-finder/Pages/default.aspx
About Grant Finder
Our Grant Finder helps you locate the grants and assistance programs most relevant to your business for free!
Grants and other funding programs are available for businesses from the Australian, state and territory governments, and in some cases from local councils. You can search through a wide variety of grants in many categories, including developing your business, innovation and education.
The list is a snapshot with some Department web sites up to date, and others with grant programs from last decade still showing.
With some searching it is possible to find grants and funding programs relevant to Local Government. The list is a snapshot with some Department web sites up to date, and others with grant programs from last decade still showing. I have deleted most of the old ones but have kept the list of funding programs that may reopen again. Current open grants are shown.
Environment
http://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/grants-funding
Environment grants currently open are:
· Protecting National Historic Sites programme - applications close 22 April 2015
· Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in NSW Round Three - applications close 30 April 2015
Environment grants areas which have funding and further rounds are likely are:
· A Cleaner Environment
· Emissions Reduction Fund
· Green Army
· Heritage grants and funding
· National Environmental Science Programme
· National Landcare Programme (link is external)
· On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
· Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and Reef Trust
· Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin
· Solar Towns
· 20 Million Trees (link is external)
· Australian Biological Resources Study
Attorney General
http://www.ag.gov.au/About/Grants/Pages/default.aspx
Summary of active grants programs
Living Safe Together Grants Programme—aims to support community organisations build capacity to deliver services to help deradicalise or divert individuals from radicalisation or violent extremism.
National Emergency Management Projects grant program—funds emergency management projects of national significance.
Native Title Anthropologist Grants Program—seeks to attract a new generation of junior anthropologists to native title work and encourage senior anthropologists to remain within the system.
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 funded projects—allows for confiscated proceeds of crime to be returned to the community by funding various anti-crime initiatives.
Safer Suburbs Programme—aims to address crime and anti-social behaviour by funding community safety measures.
Ministry for the Arts
Arts—information on funding and support opportunities to arts and cultural organisations and individual artists is available on the Ministry for the Arts website.
National Cultural Heritage Account
The National Cultural Heritage Account (the Account) ensures that Australian protected objects are kept in Australia, preserved and made accesible to the public by assisting Australian cultural organisations to buy nationally significant objects that they could otherwise not afford.
Each year, $500,000 is made available to Australian cultural organisations eligible to apply for funding from the Account.
Collections
Australia's collecting institutions play a vital role in Australia's cultural life. They safeguard , tour and celebrate Australia's rich cultural heritage, share resources, and mentor regional partners.
Community Heritage Grants
The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program aims to preserve and provide access to locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections across Australia.
The CHG program provides cash grants of up to $15,000 to assist not-for-profit community organisations such as historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives, galleries and Indigenous and migrant community groups to document, preserve, digitise and curate their collections and collection management training through community based workshops.
The CHG program is jointly funded by the Ministry for the Arts, within the Attorney-General's Department, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive.
The CHG program is administered by the National Library of Australia.
The Ministry for the Arts has programs and initiatives that support and develop quality collections and ethical collecting across Australia at a national and regional level:
- Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material
- Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan Scheme
- Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance Program
- National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program
- Community Heritage Grants Program
- Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS)
- Consultation on Extension of Legal Deposit of Library Material
- Indigenous Repatriation Program
- Collections Council of Australia
- Cultural Cooperation with India
Department of Industry and Science
http://www.industry.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
National Science Week Grants
Top Content
National Science Week aims to reach as many Australians as possible each year with a positive message about the impact that science has on our lives, our economy, our society and our world.
National Science Week is held in August each year (15 - 23 August in 2015). It is Australia’s major national celebration of science. It provides an opportunity for the entire science community to celebrate and showcase science to the Australian public and the world. The National Science Week website provides information on the diverse events, activities and partnerships that form National Science Week each year.
Other related Australian Government initiatives
Renewable Energy Target
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is a scheme to ensure that at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity in 2020 comes from renewable sources. The Government released a report by expert panel on the RET on 28 August 2014.
Emissions Reduction Fund
The Government is committed to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, without imposing a tax on households and businesses. Instead, the Government is committing $2.55 billion to fund practical efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Businesses and other organisations will be able to bid into an auction to sell emissions reduction credits to the government. A wide range of activities will be eligible for credits, including energy efficiency and reducing emissions from power generation and other industrial processes.
Department of Social Services
https://www.dss.gov.au/grants/grant-programmes
Grant Programmes
New Department, new grant programmes
The Department of Social Services (DSS) new grant arrangements bring together 18 programmes from five former departments into seven streamlined programmes based on common social policy functions.
The new programmes have been designed to streamline existing services to make the most of common client needs, reduce duplication and ensure the most effective and efficient approaches are used to address community needs in line with Government priorities. Key to the new arrangements is a reduction in regulation and reporting and providing a greater opportunity for innovation and collaboration in the delivery of services.
Seven grant programmes
In addition to the four existing Ageing and Aged Care programmes, three new programmes have been created:
- Families and Communities Programme
- Housing and Homelessness Programme
- Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme
Multicultural Arts & Festivals Grants 2015
The Australian Government is commencing a selection process to deliver services under the Strengthening Communities – Multicultural Arts and Festivals Grants - Open Funding Round for the period 01 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Funding of up to $5,000 is available for individual projects for events to be held between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.
Multicultural Arts and Festivals Grants provide community organisations with assistance to host multicultural arts and festivals projects, providing opportunities for Australians of all backgrounds to come together and experience different cultural traditions.
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants/grant-and-bursary-programs/veteran-and-community-grants
Veteran and Community Grants
Last updated 18 September 2014
About
Please note: The Veteran and Community Grants funding allocation for the 2014-2015 Financial Year has now been fully committed. It is anticipated that the next funding round will occur in July 2015.
The Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) programme aims to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life for members of the veteran community by providing funding for projects that support activities and services to sustain or enhance health and wellbeing.
V&CG is open to ex-service organisations, veteran representative groups and other organisations.
V&CG provides seed funding to develop projects that will become sustainable and financially viable and that have an ongoing benefit for members of the veteran community.
For an overview of the programme please refer to the factsheet GS03 Veteran and Community Grants.
Department of Agriculture
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/current-grants
Carbon Farming Future Program
- Filling the Research Gap
- Action on the Ground
- Extension and Outreach
- Conservation tillage refundable tax offset
Natural Resource Management Grants
Innovation Grants
National Landcare Programme
The Australian Government National Landcare Programme will invest $1 billion over the next four years to help drive sustainable agriculture as well as supporting the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of Australia’s natural environment.
The National Landcare Programme merges previous funding initiatives into one simple programme that puts Landcare back at the centre of natural resource management.
Across Australia, the National Landcare Programme will support sustainable land management practices to deliver long-term benefits to our communities, our environment, our economy and our country.
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/
Grants Programmes
The National Stronger Regions Fund will provide $1 billion in funding over five years for infrastructure projects in Australia’s regions.'
Round Two of the National Stronger Regions Fund will open on 15 May 2015 and close on 31 July 2015.
The Australian Government has established the Community Development Grants Programme to support needed infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies.
The Programme is an initiative of the Australian Government that will provide grant funding for projects that support the community and economic and social projects which contribute to the development and community amenity of the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The Latrobe Valley Economic Diversification programme was announced in 2013 and will provide up to $10.85 million to two infrastructure projects to support economic diversification in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
The National Partnership Agreement on South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program (the NPA) commits $265 million of Australian Government funding to the South Australian Government to support a healthy working Murray-Darling Basin.
The Australian Government has announced $106 million in funding for the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package, for projects which support the economic development of Tasmania.
The Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Programme (MDBREDP) provides approximately $100 million to assist Basin communities increase economic diversification and adjust to a water constrained environment. Each of the Basin States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia select and manage projects within their jurisdictions.
Grant Finder
http://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/grant-finder/Pages/default.aspx
About Grant Finder
Our Grant Finder helps you locate the grants and assistance programs most relevant to your business for free!
Grants and other funding programs are available for businesses from the Australian, state and territory governments, and in some cases from local councils. You can search through a wide variety of grants in many categories, including developing your business, innovation and education.