The Australian Government is supporting our volunteers through the Volunteer Grants Program.
Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit community organisations to support a range of volunteer activities.
Review the grant guidelines and discuss your organisation's needs with your volunteers.
Please note that payments will be issued in October 2026, so the earliest start of grant activity is October 2026. Activities before October 2026 cannot be included in the funding.
Your project must finish before 31 October 2027.
Timeline and process:
Expression of Interest (EOI) stage – open now until 3 April 2026.
- Complete and return the Expression of Interest form and any supporting documentation (e.g. letter of support) via email to [email protected] before 3 April 2026.
Please use the following subject line: VOLUNTEER GRANT 2025-26: [ORGANISATION'S NAME] - [THE NAME OF THE PERSON SUBMITTING THIS EOI] - After 3 April, a Community Committee made of local residents will review the applications and select the projects to go through to the next stage.
Application stage - timeline 18 May 2026 - 29 May 2026
- Successful organisations will be invited by the Department to submit a full application on 18 May 2026.
- Applications close on 29 May 2026.
Eligibility requirements can be found here
Further information:
- All applications will be assessed by an independent panel.
- Grants are not ongoing and recommendations from the panel will be assessed by the Department of Social Services.
- Please be aware that if your organisation is nominated to apply for a Volunteer Grant, some or all of this information will be shared with the Department of Social Services.
- Note: If your organisation is an unincorporated association, a person connected to your organisation will be required to assume personal legal liability. The person will be legally liable for the delivery of the funded activity, expenditure of funds and any other associated obligations arising from the grant agreement.
It is important to note that being invited to apply by your MP does not guarantee you will be successful.
Expressions of Interests close 3 April 2026.

