Federal Government Grants for Not-for-Profits: Where to Look and How to Apply

Federal government grants can be some of the largest grants available to Australian not-for-profits. They can also be the most competitive and the most demanding to apply for. Knowing how the federal system works, and where it publishes opportunities, helps you decide which federal grants are worth your time and which are better left to larger organisations.

This guide explains how Australian Government grants work, where to find them, what eligibility usually looks like, and how to prepare an application that stands up to a federal assessment panel.

How federal grants work

Australian Government grants are funded by federal departments and agencies to support national policy priorities, such as community services, health, education, the environment, the arts, sport and regional development.

A few features set them apart from council or foundation grants:

• They follow a national framework. Federal grants are governed by the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024, which set out how grants must be designed, assessed and managed. Among other things, this framework expects reporting and acquittal requirements to be proportionate to the size and risk of the grant.
• They publish formal guidelines. Each opportunity has grant opportunity guidelines setting out objectives, eligibility, assessment criteria and the selection process. Read them carefully: they are the rules the assessors follow.
• They come in different types. Some grants are open competitive rounds where anyone eligible can apply. Others are targeted or closed, where only invited organisations can apply. Some are demand-driven and stay open while funds last.
• They are often larger and longer. Federal grants can run over several years and fund staff and program delivery as well as projects, though this varies by program.

Where federal grants are published

GrantConnect

GrantConnect, at grants.gov.au, is the Australian Government's central grants information system. It publishes current grant opportunities, forecast opportunities (grants expected to open in future) and grant awards (who has received funding).

Registering is free. Registered users can:

• receive email notifications of new opportunities matching keywords or locations they choose
• download guidelines and application documents
• set up a watch list of forecast opportunities

Registering on GrantConnect is one of the most useful things a not-for-profit can do. Looking at past grant awards also shows you what kinds of organisations and projects a program has funded.

Community Grants Hub

Many grants for community organisations are administered by the Community Grants Hub, which processes grants on behalf of several federal departments. Its website, communitygrants.gov.au, lists open and upcoming opportunities it manages.

business.gov.au

The business.gov.au grants and programs finder lists federal and other government support. It is aimed at businesses, but you can filter by not-for-profit structure, which makes it useful for social enterprises and not-for-profits that trade.

Department websites and newsletters

Departments often promote their programs through their own websites and newsletters, and run information sessions for new rounds. If your work sits clearly in one portfolio, such as health, social services, environment or the arts, subscribe to that department's updates.

Who is eligible

Eligibility differs for every program, so always read the guidelines. Common requirements include:

• A legal entity. Usually an incorporated association, a company limited by guarantee, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, a co-operative or another recognised entity. Unincorporated groups usually need an auspice organisation.
• An ABN.
• Charity registration with the ACNC, for some programs.
• Location or service area requirements, such as operating in a particular region.
• Financial capacity, such as recent financial statements and the ability to manage public money.
• No outstanding obligations from previous Australian Government grants.

DGR status is rarely a requirement for government grants. Our guide to DGR status explains when it matters.

Should your organisation apply for federal grants?

Federal grants are not always the best place for a small organisation to start. Ask yourself:

• Is the grant size right? If the minimum grant is larger than your annual turnover, the panel may question your capacity to deliver.
• Do we have time? Federal applications can take many hours, plus time to gather partners, letters and financial documents.
• Can we meet the reporting? Larger grants come with progress reports, data collection and acquittals.
• Is there a smaller, closer option? Council and state grants are usually less competitive and can build the track record federal assessors look for. See our guide to council community grants.

If you are a small organisation with a strong project that fits a federal program closely, apply. Just go in with your eyes open.

Preparing a strong federal application

Start with the assessment criteria

Federal guidelines list the assessment criteria and often their weightings. Plan your answers around them. If one criterion is worth twice as much as another, give it twice the attention.

Demonstrate need with evidence

Use data to show the problem is real and significant in your community. Public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, government reports, local research and your own service data all help. Explain why your project is the right response.

Show measurable outcomes

Federal programs increasingly focus on outcomes. Describe what will change, how you will measure it and how you will report it. Be realistic. Overpromising is easy to spot.

Show value for money

Federal assessors consider whether the grant represents value for money. A clear, well-costed budget that links every cost to an activity helps. See our guide on how to write a grant budget.

Prove your capacity

Show your governance, financial management, track record and the experience of the people who will manage the project. Mention relevant policies such as child safety, privacy and risk management.

Use partnerships well

Letters of support and genuine partnerships with other organisations, councils or services can strengthen an application, especially when the partners have a clear role.

Read the grant agreement terms in advance

Guidelines often include a sample grant agreement. Read it before you apply so you understand reporting, payment and acknowledgement requirements.

Common mistakes

• Missing an eligibility requirement buried in the guidelines.
• Answering what you want to say rather than the question asked.
• Not attaching mandatory documents.
• Leaving submission until the final hour, when online systems can slow down.
• Underestimating the time needed for partner letters and financial statements.
• Requesting costs the program does not fund.

Building federal grants into your plan

1. Register on GrantConnect and set notifications for your keywords and location.
2. Add relevant forecast opportunities to your watch list.
3. Keep a ready folder with your constitution, incorporation certificate, financial statements, insurance and key policies.
4. Track federal rounds that suit you in a 12-month grant calendar.
5. Build your track record with council and state grants in the meantime.

For a complete walkthrough of the writing process, see our guide on how to write a grant application.

Find federal and other grants in one place

Federal grants are only part of the picture. See which federal, state, council and philanthropic grants match your organisation, free, at grantfinderpro.com.au/find. Matches are a rough guide to eligibility, so always read each program's guidelines before you apply.