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?
COVID-19 Grants and Support
Grants closing in October 2024
Grants closing in November 2024
More grant opportunities
Awards, Scholarships and more
Where to find grants
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.
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 October 2024
NRCF Annual Community Grants
The Program supports not-for-profit community groups and/or organisations across the 7 LGAs of the Northern Rivers that strengthen and enhance our regional communities by addressing social disadvantage and environmental sustainability – Closes 4 October 2024
New Colombo Plan (NCP) 2025 Scholarship Program round
The NCP Scholarship Program provides scholarships to a diverse cohort of Australian university students to undertake offshore programs including study, internships, mentorships, and language training for up to 19 months in eligible Indo-Pacific host locations – Closes 6 October 2024
Festivals Australia
Festivals Australia provides funding to support individual art projects in regional or remote locations – Closes 8 October 2024
Growing Regions Program
The program provides funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects that will enhance liveability, bolster social cohesion and support local amenity throughout Australia’s regions – Closes 10 October 2024
Surf Club Facility Program – Category 1
The Surf Club Facility Program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW to develop facilities that will enable increased participation in Surf Life Saving for all people, increased facility usage, and improved safety – Closes 14 October 2024
Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology Program – Health Professional Education
The Health Professional Education grant opportunity is targeted towards supporting the Quality Use of Medicine educational needs of health professionals – Closes 14 October 2024
Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology: Consumer Health Literacy Grant Opportunity
The Consumer Health Literacy grant opportunity is aimed towards improving and supporting medication health literacy for Australians – Closes 15 October 2024
Social Cohesion Measures – Australian Palestinian, Muslim and Arab Communities (APMAC) Support Projects
The objectives of the grant opportunity are to foster the integration of Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities, reduce community isolation within Australia, reduce instances of discrimination and racism, and develop tolerance and respect for different cultures and religions – Closes 16 October 2024
Quality and Safeguarding
This Grants Program seeks to promote quality and safety through grant activities that educate, influence and consult with stakeholders on the rights of people with a disability, quality providers and workers, and a thriving and diverse market – Closes 18 October 2024
Disability Employment Centre of Excellence
The Australian Government is inviting organisations or a consortium of organisations to establish the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence via an open competitive process – Closes 23 October 2024
Documentary Producer Program
The program is designed to support innovative, distinctive and engaging documentaries with a strong creative vision in the context of today’s evolving media and distribution landscape and the commercial realities of increasingly fragmented sources of finance – Closes 24 October 2024
Australian Heritage Grants 2024–2025
This grant opportunity aims to conserve, protect and sustainably manage our natural resources, protect and conserve our natural and cultural heritage, reduce and regulate the use of pollutants and hazardous substances, and take a leadership role on these issues internationally – Closes 25 October 2024
International Relations Grants Program – Council on Australia Latin America Relations
The Council on Australia Latin America Relations offers annual grant funding to organisations and individuals to support projects or activities which advance Australia’s engagement with Latin America, including exchanges, partnerships and other collaborations in priority areas – Closes 25 October 2024
Skills Development Grants
Skills Development Grants provide funding to volunteer museums, museum networks, and Aboriginal cultural spaces for regional or state-focused skill development training and networking events involving more than one organisation – Closes 27 October 2024
Leg Up Grants
Leg Up Grants are quick response skill development grants for workers in volunteer managed museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces throughout NSW – Closes 27 October 2024
National Science Week Grants 2025
National Science Week Grants aim to inspire wider community participation in STEM, provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Australian scientists and encourage interest in science in the wider community – Closes 28 October 2024
MRFF 2024 Research Data Infrastructure Grant Opportunity
This grant opportunity is part of the Medical Research Future Fund and the Research Data Infrastructure Initiative and looks to fund the creation or extension of national research data infrastructure to support world-class health and medical research in Australia – Closes 28 October 2024
Clarence Valley Council Special Events Sponsorship – Round 2
Funding for events in the Clarence Valley that will attract visitors and wow them so much they’ll want to come back again and again – Closes 31 October 2024
Clarence Valley Community Initiatives Program
The Community Initiatives Program supports not for profit organisations to produce new or continuing projects and initiatives for the benefit of the Clarence Valley community – Closes 31 October 2024
Byron Shire Events and Festivals Sponsorship Fund
The Byron Shire Council’s Events and Festivals Sponsorship Fund supports local events that have a positive impact on the community, environment, cultural diversity and creative expression, and maximise benefits to local businesses and economy – Closes 31 October 2024
Grants closing in November 2024
Maitri Grant Program 2024-25
The Maitri (“friendship” in Sanskrit) Grant Program has been developed to deliver the Maitri Grants and Maitri Cultural Partnerships programs aligned to the Centre for Australia-India Relations’ strategic objectives – Closes 4 November 2024
Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants Program
The objective of the program is to contribute to community recognition of the service and sacrifice of service personnel in the First World War who are not eligible for official commemoration by Government – Closes 5 November 2024
Miscarriage Support
Miscarriage support grants will fund one or more organisations with demonstrated expertise in providing care and support to women and families impacted by miscarriage with a focus on priority population groups – Closes 5 November 2024
Ballina Shire Festivals and Events Funding
Ballina Event organisers are invited to express an interest in the Ballina Shire Council’s annual Festivals and Events Funding. Approximately $120,000 in total is available for distribution for event sponsorship opportunities in Ballina Shire – Closes 8 November 2024
Surf Club Facility Program – Category 2 & 3
The Surf Club Facility Program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW to develop facilities that will enable increased participation in Surf Life Saving for all people, increased facility usage, and improved safety – Closes 11 November 2024
Go-Green Co-Innovation Program – Round 2
Go-Green Co-Innovation Program seeks to facilitate collaboration between Australian SMEs and Singapore businesses in jointly undertaking projects that drive the decarbonisation of economic activities or help Australia or Singapore to transition to net zero emissions – Closes 14 November 2024
Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) Grant Round 2024-25
CAAR is seeking applications for projects that will work to advance areas of shared political, economic, and social interest between Australia and Arab communities in the Middle East and North Africa and build greater awareness and appreciation of each other’s cultures and values – Closes 14 November 2024
Future Drought Fund Resilient Landscapes Program
The focus and objectives of the Program is to demonstrate how the implementation and scaling of practices, technologies or approaches that manage natural resources on farm, build drought and climate resilience through improving landscape function and ecosystem services – Closes 19 November 2024
Future Drought Fund Long Term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Round 2
The program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to build the economic, environmental, and social resilience of Australian farms to drought and climate variability – Closes 19 November 2024
More grant opportunities
‘Lights on Door Open’ Stipend Program
The ‘Lights on Door Open’ stipend program aims to support eligible organisations, reduce the burden of constant fundraising, and allow them to focus on collections, maintenance, and best practices – Closes when all funds ($226,000) expended
Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive – Kick Start
This fixed incentive funding option of the electric vehicle fleets incentive is designed to support eligible organisations to test electric vehicles in the early stage of their fleet transition and has a streamlined option for smaller fleets – Closes when all funds allocated
National Justice Reinvestment Program – Round 3
The objective of this grant opportunity is to support the development and delivery of community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia- Closes 13 January 2025
Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program
The program is designed to provide funding for projects that promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who served have played, and to preserve, add to the sum knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage – Closes 5 February 2025
MVP (Minimal Viable Product) Ventures 2024-2025
The MVP Ventures Program supports startups and innovative SMEs in the product lifecycle between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities, through grants to drive the commercialisation of highly innovative and new products – Closes 28 February 2025
Creative Australia Arts Project Grants
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities – Closes 4 March 2025 for projects beginning after 1 June 2025
Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grants
Promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce, the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies and local government authorities – Closes 30 June 2025
Cancer Patient Care Program
The Cancer Patient Support Program will support, one-off, time-limited activities that provide national leadership on emerging priorities across the cancer control continuum – Closes 1 August 2025
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program – Phase 4
Funding under Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program is available from 1 July 2023 to support Eligible Funding Recipients to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia – Closes 30 June 2026
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Worker Retention Payment
Funding to support a wage increase for all eligible ECEC workers – Closes 30 September 2026
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
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Rebate Program Round 2
The objective of the Program is to incentivise voluntary uptake of ADS-B equipment in Australian-registered aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules and Instrument Flight Rules to improve safety and efficiency for Australian airspace users – Closes 31 May 2027
Bin Trim Equipment Rebates Program
Rebates up to $50,000 are being offered to cover up to 50% of the cost of small-scale, on-site equipment or technology that avoids, reduces, reuses, or recycles waste – Closes 30 June 2027
Lights on Doors Open stipend program to support volunteer-led museums and galleries
The ‘Lights On, Doors Open’ stipend program has been established to relieve the pressures faced by volunteer-led museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces in NSW – Closes when funds are exhausted
Oral History Regional Engagement Grants
This grant aims to raise the profile of oral history in regional areas and extend its expertise and use throughout New South Wales – Closing date to be announced in 2024
Export Market Development Grants – Round 4, Tiers 1, 2 and 3
The Export Market Development Grants program provides matched funding to eligible Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and representative bodies at different points in their export journey – Ongoing
Export Market Development Grants – Round 4, Representative bodies
The Export Market Development Grants program provides matched funding to eligible Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and representative bodies at different points in their export journey – Ongoing
National Cultural Heritage Account
The National Cultural Heritage Account helps to retain and protect Australia’s cultural heritage for future generations and provide public access to important objects that tell a story about our cultural identity – Ongoing
Resource Recovery Community Grants
Ballina Shire Council’s Resource Recovery Community Grant program provides financial assistance to encourage and assist individuals, organisations, and community groups in the implementation of waste minimisation and resource recovery for the benefit of our community – Ongoing
Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) First Nations – Scoping Grant Opportunity Guidelines
SEE First Nations is locally tailored, whole of community LLND skills training delivery to First Nations people through place-based grants – Ongoing
ECEC Workforce Professional Development and Paid Practicum
These grants are being made available to the Early Childhood Education and Care workforce to assist with educator retention and upskilling – Ongoing
Defence Industry Development Grants Program – Exports Stream
The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority – Ongoing
Defence Industry Development Grants Program – Sovereign Industrial Priorities Stream
The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority – Ongoing
Defence Industry Development Grants Program – Skilling Stream
The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority – Ongoing
Defence Industry Development Grants Program – Security Stream
The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority – Ongoing
Industry Growth Program: Commercialisation and Growth
Participants in the Industry Growth Program Advisory Service may apply for Commonwealth grant funding to support specific commercialisation and/or growth projects – Ongoing
Industry Growth Program: Early-Stage Commercialisation
The objective of the early-stage commercialisation grants is to help businesses to undertake the steps necessary to establish the commercialise viability of an innovative product, process or service, including steps to undertake feasibility and proof-of-concept through to prototyping – Ongoing
Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Development and Planning
The program will focus on a partnership approach, bringing together governments and communities to plan and deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs and have a shared vision in how the precinct connects to the region – Ongoing
Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program: Precinct Delivery
This program will bring together governments and communities to plan and deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs and have a shared vision in how that precinct connects to the region – Ongoing
Regional Investment Activation Fund
This grant supports projects that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location. Projects may be recommended for funding support under the Regional Investment Activation Fund – Ongoing
Workforce Incentives Program (WIP) – Doctors Stream
The WIP – Doctor Stream provides medical practitioners with financial incentives to practice in rural and remote areas of Australia – Ongoing
Safework Small Business Rebate
A rebate provided through Safework NSW to support small businesses to purchase safety items to improve work health and safety – Ongoing
Producer Offset – Screen Australia
The Producer Offset is a refundable tax offset (rebate) for producers of Australian feature films, television and other projects – Ongoing
Return to Work – Phase 3
The Return to Work Program is for women who have been unemployed for one month or more and intend to return to work as an employee within 6 months – Ongoing
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
Accelerating Commercialisation
Accelerating Commercialisation is a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that provides you with advice and funding to get your novel product, process or service to market – 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
Airservices Australia Enroute Charges Payment Scheme
The Airservices Australia Enroute Charges Payment Scheme (program) commenced on 1 January 2002 and was introduced against the background of the collapse of Ansett on September 12, 2001 to assist in ensuring the continuation of air services to regional Australia – Ongoing
Australian Government’s Youth Job PaTH
Trial and hire a young person and get help with wage and training costs – Ongoing
Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
The Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) are complementary programs designed to provide funding to State, Territory and Local Governments for projects which will upgrade and replace bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access (BRP) and increase the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle operations (HVSPP) – 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
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
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
NSW Heritage Emergency Works Grant
These grants support the protection or repairs to declared Aboriginal Places, items listed on the State Heritage Register, or items with a current interim heritage order that have been damaged by unexpected events (such as an extreme storm or accident) and where your insurance does not cover this cost – 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
Regional Event Fund – Event Development Stream
The Event Development stream supports the strategic growth of proven events that demonstrate a clear rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential – 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
Strategic Opportunities Program
The Strategic Opportunities Program supports individual initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry – Ongoing
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
Awards, scholarships and opportunities
Maitri Scholarships and Fellowships Grant Programs 2024-25
The Maitri Scholarships Program will support high-performing Indian scholars to complete postgraduate Higher Degree by Research (HDR) – Masters (by research) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies in STEM-related fields – Closes 25 November 2024
Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships
The Women in STEM Cadetships and Advanced Apprenticeships Program aims to promote equality of opportunity in higher education, through increasing access to, and participation of, up to 600 employed women to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) – Onoing
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
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
Club 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
