Expressions of interest (EOI) for the 2025-26 Volunteer Grants are now open. EOI closes on Friday 3 April 2026.

The Volunteer Grants program is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to assist volunteers and encourage volunteering. Volunteer Grants support the work of Bean community organisations that rely on volunteers by removing barriers to volunteering and promoting awareness of volunteering opportunities.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help community organisations in Bean to support the efforts of their volunteers.

Further information about eligibility and permitted uses of funding is available in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. 

Funding Categories

Community organisations will need to apply under one or more of the following categories to be eligible for funding in the 2025-26 Volunteer Grants round.

Category 1: Purchase communication or insurance items that will benefit any of a community organisation’s
volunteers as listed below:

• Mobile phones, phone bills and radio communication devices.
• Computers, laptops and tablets, where those items are primarily used for online
  communication and activity.
• Software packages, where the software is primarily used to facilitate online
  communications and activity (for example email or videoconferencing software).
• Electronic audio and visual equipment, where the equipment is primarily used for
  or to facilitate online communications and activity (for example video-communication
  equipment).
• Electronic payment devices where the device is primarily used for or to facilitate online
  communication and activity.
• Internet service fees incurred by the community organisation.
• Insurance premiums incurred by the community organisation.

Category 2(A): Purchase items for the main purpose of supporting a community organisation’s volunteers
from the following cohorts:

• Adults whose volunteering activities support children’s development and wellbeing.
• Children (under 18) as a means of supporting their development.
• First Nations People.
• Newly arrived migrants (within the last 5 years) who are not citizens.
• People with disability (within the meaning of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
  of Persons with Disabilities)
• Unemployed people who are volunteering to increase their capacity to engage in employment.
• Veterans and Australian Defence Force members.
• Women experiencing or at risk of experiencing gender-based violence or isolation to assist them to overcome that gender-based violence or isolation.
  

Category 2(B): Fund volunteer-run activities within the community organisation for the main purpose
of supporting:

• Children’s (under 18) development and wellbeing and/or parents/carers to develop the skills necessary to ensure a child’s development.
• First Nations People.
• Newly arrived migrants (within the last 5 years) who are not citizens.
• People with disability (within the meaning of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) to participate in any aspect of life.
• People who are unemployed to increase their capacity to engage in employment (for example, through training or access to existing employment services).
• Veterans or Australian Defence Force members.
• Women experiencing or at risk of experiencing gender-based violence or isolation.
• Women experiencing gender-based discrimination or disadvantage by addressing:
  • gender-based disadvantage in sport
  • gender-based discrimination in emergency services roles
  • gender-based disadvantage in rural and remote areas
  • gender-based disadvantage and discrimination in trades
  • gender-based disadvantage in the form of food insecurity.
• Eliminating racial discrimination and promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship
  amongst racial or ethnic groups through the following:
  • activities that provide anti racism training and promote cultural safety
  • multicultural art events and other cultural events such as traditional dance and theatre
  • language classes designed to encourage social cohesion and promote interracial harmony
  • programs that connect international students with local volunteering opportunities
  • multicultural sporting events that promote the participation of teams and players from diverse backgrounds
  • community events that celebrate Harmony Week and/or International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination.

Timeline and process

The grant process in two stages for organisations in Bean (Woden, Weston Creek, Molonglo, Tuggeranong, Tharwa and Norfolk Island).

1. A completed EOI form is submitted to my office by 3 April 2026.

2. Successful organisations – as assessed by a community panel – will be asked to make a full application to the Department of Social Services who will confirm the outcome of grant funding in October 2026.

Here is the full timeline:

• Expression of interest (EOI) - Open now and close COB Friday 3 April 2026
• Successful EOI nominations notified and application process begins - 30 April 2026
• Organisations nominated by MP, invited by the Department of Social Services (the Department) to submit a formal application - From 18 May 2026
• Closing date of applications to the Department - 29 May 2026
• Notification of applicant outcomes and awarding of grant agreements - October 2026
• Earliest grant activity start date - October 2026
• Grant activity completion date - 31 October 2027.

TO APPLY

1. Download and complete the 2025-26 Volunteer Grants Expression of Interest form
2. Return completed EOI form to my office by email to [email protected] by COB Friday 3 April 2026
3. Ensure you have received confirmation of your EOI.

This grant program is administered by the Department of Social Services.

Please get in touch with my office if you want to discuss the program in more detail or if you need assistance on 02 6293 1344 or at [email protected].