Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program

The Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) program provides funding for eligible organisations to deliver community-based projects and activities for the veteran community.

What is the Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) Program?

The VWG Program provides funding opportunities for eligible organisations to undertake community-based projects. The aim of the VWG Program is to improve the health and wellbeing of the Australian veteran community. The VWG Program forms parts of DVA’s commitment to fund projects and activities that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing, build community capacity, potentially expand on existing services and raise awareness of important issues faced by the veteran community.

How can the grants be used?

The VWG Program offers both small grants up to $50,000 and large grants from $50,001 to $200,000 for projects and activities that deliver wellbeing support services and activities of broad-scale benefit to the veteran community.

Stream A small grants

Under Stream A, grants up to $50,000 per grant are available for small-scale, local and community-based practical projects and activities that support safe, accessible environments for veterans and families to enable social connection and positive engagement to improve wellbeing.

Stream B large grants

Under Stream B, grants from $50,001 to $200,000 are available for large projects and activities that deliver practical wellbeing support services and activities of broad-scale benefit to veterans and families in the community. 

Who can apply?

Eligible organisations must either be:

• an ex-service organisation (ESO) as per the ESO definition in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines; or
• be a non-ESO in a consortium with at least one ESO, and also be one of the eligible entity types listed in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Unincorporated ESOs, such as some sub-branches, are ineligible, but the main incorporated ESO branch can form a consortium with unincorporated sub-branch(es) and submit the application on their behalf. See the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on GrantConnect for further information.

How do I apply?

The VWG Program is a targeted competitive grant opportunity that accepts applications annually.

DVA grants are advertised on GrantConnect, including information about the grant and how to apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all grant opportunity documentation, especially the Grant Opportunity 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.

Assistance with your application can be obtained through the Community Grants Hub. Phone 1800 020 283 or send an email to support [at] communitygrants.gov.au (support[at]communitygrants[dot]gov[dot]au)

If you think you may need help with your application, please ask early. This will help us to resolve any problems in time for your application to be considered for funding.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are assessed based on the criteria set out in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Recommendations are made to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, who is the decision maker.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application after the closing date and when the assessment process is completed.

What happens if my grant application is successful?

If successful, you will be sent a grant agreement. Payments are made after the applicant has correctly signed and returned the grant agreement.

Grants need to be acquitted when the project is completed and within the timeframe specified in the grant agreement.

You cannot receive another grant until all outstanding DVA grant acquittals have been submitted.