Grants and Opportunities
RDA Northern Rivers seeks to support the Northern Rivers business community by featuring available grants and opportunities for the benefit of our local economy and community. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the grants that are available, instead it is a list of featured grants, primarily for organisations.
There are many more grants available and we have provided some useful links below to help you find them. RDA Northern Rivers can support your application through access to regional data, application assistance and support letters.
Need some guidance to help write your application? RDA Northern Rivers Successful Grant Writing Toolkit provides a step by step guide to help you write winning grants.
RDA Sydney are host to two grant writing webinars that provide more insight into the grant writing process. You can access the recording of the first webinar here and download documents from both webinars on the Successful Grant Writing Toolkit page.
What’s on this page?
Flood Recovery Grants
COVID-19 Grants and Support
Featured Grants
Grants closing in September 2022
Grants closing in October 2022
More grant opportunities
Awards, Scholarships and more
Where to find grants
February – March Flood Grants and Support
February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant
The disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations. Small businesses and not-for-profits in defined disaster areas are eligible.
Northern Rivers Medium Sized Business Grant
Up to $200,000 is available for medium sized businesses and not for profits with 21 to 200 employees to help pay for the costs of flood clean-up and reinstatement of operations.
$10,000 Small Business Grant
If your small business or not-for-profit organisation in northern NSW was impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2022, you may be eligible for a one-off $10,000 small business northern flood grant.
Special Disaster Grants – NSW Severe Weather & Flooding February 2022 onwards
Flood affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for Special Disaster Grants to access financial assistance to get back operating as soon as possible.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (Top-up) grants
An extra $350 per week for up to 13 weeks to individuals who have been granted Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) or New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance (NZ DRA) in locations declared eligible for the additional DRA top-up payment – Closes 29 September 2022
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Initiative
Local organisations can apply for $150,000 to $250,000 through Healthy North Coast to deliver community wellbeing and resilience-building initiatives in locations that have been impacted by natural disaster – Closes 31 December 2022
Visit your Flood Recovery Centre, call the Service NSW Hotline on 13 77 88 or use the Disaster Assistance Finder to check your eligibility.
COVID-19 Grants and Support
The NSW Government has a range of financial support available for businesses and industries affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. Information is available from the NSW Government website.
A complete list of grants, loans and financial assistance available to NSW businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the Service NSW website.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment has been extended to 30 September 2022. The purpose of the grant is to provide lump sum financial assistance to limit the financial hardship of eligible individuals who are, or were, unable to earn an income having been required to self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring, or cared, for a person required to remain in isolation as a quarantine measure as a result of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Workplace Legal Advice Program
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Workplace Legal Advice Program provides eligible employers and employees with independent legal help to deal with workplace issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
Grants closing in September 2022
Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grants
The NSW Government is investing $20 million to assist eligible regional NSW destinations by co-funding the purchase and installation of EV chargers – Closes 23 September 2022
NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5
The Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 aims to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure, or community programs that have strong local support – Closes 23 September 2022
2023 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry
The Science Awards encourage young scientists, researchers, innovators and others active in agriculture with original projects that will contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries – Closes 23 September 2022
Regional Tourism Activation Fund – Round 2
Round 2 of the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is focused on accelerating the development of high impact tourism and events infrastructure that will increase the international appeal of destinations in regional NSW and boost the visitor economy through increased visitation and job creation – Closes 27 September 2022
Visions of Australia – Round 15
The Visions of Australia Program provides funding to support the development and touring of quality exhibitions to regional and remote Australia by Australian arts and cultural organisations – Closes 30 September 2022
Aboriginal Affairs NSW Community and Place Grants Program
Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and groups can apply for funding to meet Closing the Gap targets thanks to the NSW Government’s $30 million Community and Place Grants Program – Closes 30 September 2022
Grants closing in October 2022
Festivals Australia – Round 15
Festivals Australia provides funding to support individual art projects at festivals or significant one-off community events, such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource – Closes 5 October 2022
Byron Shire Mayoral Fund
Byron Shire community groups, schools and not-for-profits are encouraged to apply for a slice of the Byron Shire’s Mayoral Fund – Closes 7 October 2022
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships for funding commencing in 2023
The Mid-Career Industry Fellowships scheme creates a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, with the aim of increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation – Closes 20 October 2022
NSW Volunteer Museum Grants
Museums and Galleries NSW’s Volunteer Museum grants are open.
- Skills Development Grants up to $4000 for the development and delivery of skill development training and networking events – Closes 30 October 2022.
- Leg Up Grants provide Matched funding of $50 – $500 for volunteers to attend or host development activities in NSW – Closes 30 October 2022.
More grant opportunities
NSW Volunteer Museum Grants
Museums and Galleries NSW’s Volunteer Museum grants are open.
- Skills Development Grants up to $4000 for the development and delivery of skill development training and networking events – Closes 30 October 2022.
- Leg Up Grants provide Matched funding of $50 – $500 for volunteers to attend or host development activities in NSW – Closes 30 October 2022.
Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund
The RISE Fund is delivered to support artists and organisations affected by COVID-19 through the delivery and presentation of activities across all art forms to audiences across Australia – Closes when all available funds have been allocated
Arts and Culture Priority Needs Funding
The aim of this program is to prioritise funding to support assessment and planning and urgent small-scale repair and replacements for arts and cultural infrastructure assets most affected by the February – March 2022 floods – Closes 30 November 2022
MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2022 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity
Applications to this Grant Opportunity must propose a single clinical trial in Australia in collaboration with international counterparts – Closes 22 February 2023
1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding
Tranche Two provides a subsidy for new jobs for Community Development Program participants in remote Australia to support economic development – Closes 30 June 2023 or when exhausted
COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Phase 3
Supports Local Councils to create jobs by delivering priority local road and community infrastructure projects – Closes 30 June 2023
Youpla Group Funeral Benefits Program
The program addresses the urgent need to allow families with deceased loved ones who were insured under a Youpla Group funeral expenses policy to mourn and conduct Sorry Business with the dignity that had been intended – Closes 1 December 2023
Regional and Remote Airports Security Awareness Program
Re-imbursement based funding to support regional and remote airports to meet requirements of the Screener Accreditation Scheme – Closes 30 May 2024
Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Transition Fund
This Grant Opportunity is to assist Providers who may need financial support to adjust to the new funding arrangements under the AN-ACC without impacting on their ability to provide personal and clinical care to their residents – Closes 30 June 2024
Regional Australia Microgrids Pilot Program
In October 2020, the Australian Government announced the $50 million Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots Program (RAMPP) to support pilot demonstrations of microgrids in regional and remote areas – Closes 31 December 2026
Advancing Renewables Program
Supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses – Ongoing
Riparian and Habitat Recovery funding
Funding of up to $18,000 is available to help landholders and community groups protect and enhance waterways, wetlands and habitat in the North Coast region of NSW – Ongoing
Digital Lift
Digital Lift is the philanthropic arm of tech company Monday.com. They are supporting not-for-profits to get digitally connected with volunteer support, software licenses, training and grants – Ongoing
Strategic Opportunities Program
The Strategic Opportunities Program supports individual initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry – Ongoing
Australian Government’s Youth Job PaTH
Trial and hire a young person and get help with wage and training costs – Ongoing
Performers Trust Foundation
The PPCA Performers’ Trust Foundation provides grants to promote and encourage music and the music-related performing arts – Ongoing
Indigenous Travel Grants
The Travel Grants program is designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers in travelling to key international and Australian events. Professional development is a key objective – Applications can generally be made at any time at least five weeks before the event
NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package 2019-20
On 11 June 2019 the NSW Government announced additional drought assistance measures for farmers including a $350 million increase in the Farm Innovation Fund and $70 million to continue rebates on the Drought Transport Subsidy – Ongoing or until funds exhausted
Employer Incentives for Apprentices
The Australian Government offers a range of incentives to employers who hire apprentices, ranging from additional support for identified skill shortages, adult Australian apprentices, Australian apprentices with a disability and wage subsidies – Ongoing
Regional Filming Fund
The Regional Filming Fund offsets costs associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW. Regional NSW is defined as all areas in NSW outside the Sydney Metro area (excluding the ACT) – Ongoing with applications being accepted up to 4 weeks prior to the start of filming in regional NSW
Support for Startups
An initiative under the NSW Government’s Jobs for NSW program to provides capital funding through investment to support growing businesses – Ongoing
NSW Trade Missions & Exhibitions
Provides export ready NSW companies with industry exhibitions, specialist advice and networking opportunities to help them succeed in the export market – Ongoing
Early Development NSW
Provides key creatives for NSW based screen projects with funding of up to $50,000 to support screen content in the early stage of development with pre-draft and early draft costs – Ongoing
Advanced Development NSW
Provides NSW-based key creatives with funding of up to $50,000 to support screen content in an advanced stage of development including feature films, documentaries, adult and children?s TV drama – Ongoing
Awards, scholarships and opportunities
Regional Achievement and Community Awards
Encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses make in regional areas – Closes 23 August 2022
IMAGinE Awards
The IMAGinE awards highlight the resilience, innovation and creativity of museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres and recognise the people who work in them – Closes 29 August 2022
NSW Sustainability Awards
The NSW Sustainability Awards recognise and promote the trailblazers from circular transition to net zero action to our State’s young climate champions. Entrants are diverse and working in many different fields, and they share a drive to create a more sustainable future – Entries close 8 September 2022.
Museums and Galleries of NSW Fellowships, Mentors and Volunteer Placements
Provides travel and professional development opportunities for people who work or volunteer in the small-to-medium museum and gallery sector – Closes 26 September 2022
Where To Find Grants
Government Grants
Australian Government
Grants & Programs is the assistance portal on the Australian Government’s business.gov.au site. The search feature provides access to over 600 grants that support business, local government and community. It includes incentives for research and development, support for small businesses, tax and duty concessions, and assistance for industries in transition.
GrantConnect provides centralised publication of forecast and current Australian Government grants and opportunities and grants awarded
Community Grants Hub is the Australian Government’s site for community-related grants. This can include grants for health, agriculture and landcare. Other sources of Australian Government grants
Indigenous Advancement Strategy Department of Social Services Department of Environment and Energy Australia Council for the Arts Screen Australia Community Grants Hub
NSW Government
The NSW Business Grants support small businesses to hire new employees and expand their business.
Community Builders NSW is a program which provides funding for a range of services to strengthen communities and build their capacity and is provided by NSW Family and Community Services.
Other sources of NSW Government grants
Screen NSW
Create NSW
Arts NSW
Smarty Grants
Museums & Galleries NSW
Northern Rivers Regional Councils
Funding for a range of community projects is available through Northern Rivers local councils. Information about community funding programs can be found on council websites.
Ballina Shire Council
Byron Shire Council
Clarence Valley Council
Lismore City Council
Richmond Valley Council
Tweed Shire Council
Kyogle Council
Other Grant Opportunities
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Australian Communities Foundation
Club Grants
Northern Rivers Community Foundation
Community Broadcasting Foundation
Business Australia – Guide to NSW Small Business Grants
