Volunteer Grants program 2025/26

Expressions of Interest for the Volunteer Grants program 2026/26 are now open for organisations based in Aston.

Volunteer Grants recognise the valuable role volunteers play in building more resilient and cohesive communities. Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help community organisations to support their volunteers.

The eligibility and associated expenditure for the 2025/26 Volunteer Grants round depends on the categories under which the organisation applies for funding.

Under Category 1, organisations can apply for funding to purchase communication or insurance items that benefit any of their volunteers. Examples include mobile phones, computers, software packages, electronic audio and visual equipment, internet service fees and insurance premiums.

Under Category 2, funding is for items to support eligible volunteer cohorts or for volunteer-run activities that assist volunteers and remove barriers to volunteering. This category has been expanded to improve access and reduce out-of-pocket costs, making volunteering more inclusive and accessible:

• Category 2A - Organisations can support volunteers who are children or adults whose volunteering activities support children, as well as volunteers from cohorts such as First Nations people, newly arrived migrants, people with disability, unemployed people, veterans and Australian Defence Force members, and women experiencing or at risk of gender-based violence or isolation.

• Category 2B - Funding can support volunteer-run activities focused on children’s development and wellbeing, as well as activities for the same cohorts. Two new eligible activities include supporting women experiencing gender-based discrimination or disadvantage and eliminating racial discrimination through activities that promote understanding and tolerance.

Grant applicants should ensure the funding is used to pay for items that are cost-effective and reasonably priced. The grant funding must be spent on activities or items that directly benefit the work of the volunteers, not for the benefit of the organisation.