Australia Day 2027 Community Events Grant Program

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This is a preview of the 2027 Australia Day Community Events Grant Application form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Background

About this grant opportunity

This grant relates to Australia Day 2027.   

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) Community Events Grant Program supports communities across Australia to host inclusive Australia Day events promoting the theme: ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.’

This grant opportunity is made possible through the National Australia Day Council, with assistance from the Australian Government. Local, state and territory government entities and Australian not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply.

With a total funding pool of $4.5 million (GST exclusive), the Program aims to deliver impactful, engaging, and memorable Australia Day events nationwide.

Funding Streams

For Australia Day 2027, the Program makes three funding streams available:

  • Base Grant: $10,000 (GST exclusive) to assist eligible event organisers to ensure inclusive Australia Day 2027 events proceed.
  • Base + Additional Grant: $10,000 + $5,000 (GST exclusive) for events that include significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements.
  • Alternate Grant: $2,000 (GST exclusive) to support community-focused Australia Day events. This stream is limited to eligible applications subject to the availability of funds within the Program’s overall funding cap.

Applicants may submit one application only, choosing either:

  1. the Base Grant, or
  2. the Base Grant + Additional Grant, or
  3. the Alternate Grant.

Assessment and Payment

  • Base and Additional Grants are merit-based. Applications are scored against the assessment criteria. Successful applicants receive 80 per cent on execution of the funding agreement and 20 per cent after the final acquittal report (due 30 April 2027).
  • Alternate Grant applications are not merit-based. Grants are awarded in timestamp order following round closure and confirmation of eligibility, subject to the availability of funds within the Program's overall funding cap. Successful applicants receive the full $2,000 upfront.

Where an applicant is not approved for the level of funding sought, the NADC may, in its discretion, offer an alternative level of funding, subject to eligibility, funding availability and the objectives of the Program.

Branding and Collateral Requirements

To maintain consistency across events and effectively promote the message of ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate.’, each successful applicant will receive a complimentary package of Australia Day collateral materials. Successful applicants will be required to use NADC Australia Day branding and collateral materials. This may include new materials or existing items purchased from previous Australia Day projects. Recipients will also be able to purchase these items online through the Australia Day Council Aussie Merchandise program.

Successful applicants will be required to display the Australian National Flag at funded events as an official identifier of Australia Day. Applicants are strongly encouraged to display the Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag alongside the Australian National Flag, where appropriate, in accordance with applicable flag protocols.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to support local economies and community resilience by engaging local businesses and service providers, including through the production of additional materials.

Community Engagement Focus

These grants aim to foster community connection by supporting Australia Day events that are welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all, with particular reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, young people, and others in the community, so that Australia Day is recognised as a day for all Australians.

Successful applicants are required to register their event(s) on the NADC Australia Day Event Register website using the approved event title and description, and ensure that promotions are consistent with the approved application.

Applicants should read the full program guidelines before commencing this application. Applicants should also read the sample grant agreement found at the end of the program guidelines before submitting an application. 

Before you begin 

The application form requires information about:

  • the applicant, including their ABN and their address
  • the planned event, including reference to the assessment criteria
  • accessibility and inclusivity elements of their events
  • a declaration of which funding stream is being sought: (i) Base Grant, (ii) Base + Additional Grant, or (iii) Alternate Grant 
  • where the applicant is also applying for the Additional Grant of $5,000 (GST exclusive), a clear outline of the plan to include significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements and how the Additional Grant funds are proposed to be used
  • a commitment to providing high-quality photographs or video of their event

 

In addition, the NADC requires the following with an application:

  • a copy of the applicant's public liability insurance policy (certificate of currency)
  • banking details, including evidence that the account is the applicant organisation’s account (e.g., a recent bank statement no older than six months or an official letter from the bank).
  • for local, state or territory government organisations applying for the Base and/or Additional Grant, written commitment that they will financially invest no less than the level of investment they made in the previously held event.

Privacy Policy and Use of Information

The information an applicant provides in their application form will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). For more information see the NADC's Privacy Policy. 

 In submitting an application, the applicant agrees to the NADC collecting their personal information, including name, contact details and role in order to assess the application and for the purpose of grants administration.   

 The NADC's online portal is powered by SmartyGrants, an enterprise of Our Community Pty Ltd. To use the portal, applicants will be asked to register and agree to Our Community's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. For more information see the NADC's Privacy Policy. 

Complaints  

 Applicants should address any complaints regarding this grant opportunity in writing to the NADC through the Contact Officer at grants@australiaday.org.au  

Application and Agreement

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a short form agreement with the NADC. This will be sent to successful applicants electronically via email at the time that an applicant is notified that its application for a grant has been successful. 

Applicants are able to download a copy of the sample agreement. These terms and conditions cannot be changed. 

The applicant will need to provide banking details including evidence that the account is an account of the entity applying for the grant.

Notification of Outcome

The NADC will use best endeavours to advise the outcome of an application within 20 business days of the closing date for submission.

Tips

This form is an online form. The answers provided go directly into the NADC database and will be used to generate reports and other documents throughout the assessment process as well as any resulting grant agreement, if the applicant's application is successful.

Please take care to answer carefully and clearly.

Please note red warning boxes may appear where pages have compulsory questions. Where a response needs to be provided in a certain format, tips will also appear in these boxes, e.g. for address you may see “must have a postcode".