Stronger Communities Program - Round 10
Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Program is now open. Completed Expressions of Interest (EOI) Forms are due by 5pm Friday 30th October 2026
Grants of between $2,500 to $20,000 are available for organisations to deliver small infrastructure projects encouraging and supporting participation in local initiatives, enhancing community engagement and contributing to the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities.
The maximum cost of your project cannot exceed $50,000.
Program Guidelines can be found by clicking the link below:
Additional information can also be found by clicking; Stronger Communities Programme Round 10 | business.gov.au
Applicants should read the Program Guidelines prior to applying. The program guidelines provide detailed information on the grant opportunity, including activity objectives; eligibility criteria; the assessment processes; reporting and acquittal requirements; and a description of review mechanisms.
Completed Expression of Interest Forms are due by 5pm Friday 30th October 2026 (late forms will not be considered).
Following the assessment of Expressions of Interest a maximum of 20 applicants will then be invited to submit a formal Application via an online portal by 19 January 2027.
What you need to know:
To be eligible, projects must directly align and give effect to at least one of the objectives of the program and must include one or more of the eligible activities listed under that objective in section 5.1 of the guidelines. Please ensure you read the guidelines thoroughly before applying.
Eligibility: To be eligible, you must have an ABN and be one of the following incorporated entities:
- an incorporated not for profit organisation
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property
- a local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995
The objective of the program is to deliver infrastructure projects that provide social benefits for local communities, by supporting one or more of the following:
- support or encourage interstate or international tourism
- support or celebrate Indigenous Australians
- commemorate Australians killed or injured in war or who contributed to Australia’s war efforts
- support veterans and defence force members, their families and communities
- support the participation and settlement of newly arrived (i.e. within the last five years) immigrants who are not citizens
- provide benefits to a specific cohort or cohorts of students - enable or foster the use of electronic communications
- provide medical services or facilities, or services or facilities incidental to the provision of medical services
- enable or foster the use of electronic communications
- support the provision of community infrastructure that: promotes and supports the mental and physical abilities of children
- supports positive mental or physical health, or facilitates community participation to promote tolerance, and social cohesion or health
- support the acquisition or deployment of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation measures
- support community infrastructure that promotes climate adaptation and resilience and/or native flora/fauna biodiversity
- support the dignity of persons (including children) with disabilities by enhancing their access to public infrastructure
- address gender inequality or discrimination in access to public infrastructure or sport
- support access for children to public infrastructure which enables interstate or overseas travel, accommodation, or education or health care infrastructure or services.
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:
- encourage and support participation in local projects
- improve local community participation
- contribute to vibrant and viable communities.
Projects funded under Round 10 of the Program will need to be completed by 31 March 2028.
HOW TO APPLY:
Read the grant opportunity guidelines, and make sure that your organisation and project are eligible, then complete the expression of interest form.
If your EOI is approved, you will be invited to complete a detailed formal application through an online portal which will be processed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
EOI Close Date: 30th October 2026
If you have any questions you can contact Xarnia in my office via [email protected] or (08) 8724 7730