Overview of our Grants Programs

We offer grants to commemorate Australia’s wartime heritage and to support organisations to deliver advocacy services, projects and activities for veterans and their families.  We also help eligible students whose parent or grandparent is a Vietnam veteran.  

What grants are available

DVA's ongoing grant programs are:

Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program (STS Program)

The STS Program supports projects and activities that commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families.  The funding also supports projects and activities that preserve our wartime heritage.

Building Excellence in Support and Training Grants (BEST) Program

The BEST Grants Program supports the role of ex-service organisation compensation and wellbeing advocates, who provide advice and assistance to the veteran and Defence communities. It also links closely to the Advocacy Training and Development Program, which provides the essential skills for claims, advocacy and wellbeing work.

Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) Program

VWG provides funding opportunities for eligible ex‑service organisations (ESOs) to undertake community-based projects and activities to support safe and accessible environments for veterans and families. It also enables social connection and positive engagement to improve wellbeing.

Grants In Aid (GIA) Program

The GIA Program aims to encourage co operation and communication between the ex-service community, ex service organisations and the Australian Government. It also aims to support national ex-service organisations to advance their objectives.

Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorials Restoration Program Commemorations Grants (OPCMRP)

OPCMRP grants are available to eligible individuals, non-commercial organisations or community groups, who have an interest in seeing a particular privately-constructed overseas memorial restored and preserved. Memorials must directly commemorate Australia’s servicemen and women who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

Long Tan Bursary (LTB)

The LTB provides funding to help children of Australian Vietnam veterans' to meet the cost of post-secondary education and help them obtain formal qualifications and skills needed to pursue their chosen career.

Marking (First World War) Private Graves (MPG) Grants Program

The MPG Grants Program provides funding assistance to mark the unmarked private graves of First World War veterans.

How can I apply for grants

All DVA grants are advertised on the GrantConnect website, including information about the grant and how to apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all grant opportunity documentation, especially the guidelines and any instructions in the application form. The grant opportunity documentation is specific to each round and contains important information about the purpose of the program, eligibility and compliance requirements, eligible items, timeframes and how to apply.

You can register on GrantConnect to receive notifications of any new grant opportunities that may become available.

More information can be found at Getting started with GrantConnect

Who can I contact about grants

The Community Grants Hub provides a central and consistent application and management process for DVA's grant applicants and recipients.

The Hub is also the main contact point for applicants and recipients about their grant applications.

You can contact the Hub on 1800 020 283 or email support [at] communitygrants.gov.au (support[at]communitygrants[dot]gov[dot]au)

Where do I find approved grants

From 31 December 2017 all approved grants (Grant Awards) are published on GrantConnect within 21 days of a grant agreement taking effect. Grant Awards published before 31 December 2017 can be found at Historical approved grants list.

What else should I know

Grant scams

Be aware of scams offering access to databases of government grants for a fee.

The Australian Government does not charge any administration or application fees to view or apply for grants.

All grant opportunities are freely available to access on the GrantConnect website. GrantConnect is the authoritative source for DVA grants information.

Go to Scamwatch to find out more about grant scams.