Community venue funding in Australia runs through three main channels: federal infrastructure programs, state and territory schemes (including gambling community benefit funds) and local council grants. Add in gaming/club trusts and philanthropic foundations, and there's genuinely more funding available for community halls, sports clubs, arts centres, and neighbourhood spaces than most groups realise — the challenge is knowing where to look. This guide brings the main sources together by level of government, so you can work out which ones actually apply to your venue.
Heads up: this isn't an exhaustive list, and grant guidelines, dates, and dollar amounts change often — sometimes federal programs are re-funded from one Budget to the next with entirely new round dates. We're not the authority on any of these schemes and can't determine your eligibility. Always check the primary source before you apply.
Most funding for community venues in Australia sits in one of three tiers: federal programs for larger capital works, state government and gambling community benefit funds for mid-size projects and equipment, and local council grants for smaller, faster community-level support. On top of that sit sector-specific funds (sport, arts, multicultural infrastructure) and private philanthropic or corporate trusts. Which one fits depends mostly on your project's size and location, not the type of venue you run.
This could apply to:
Many of these grants also fund community groups directly — for programming, equipment, and events — not just the physical space.
The two flagship federal community infrastructure programs, split by location: projects inside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas fall under Thriving Suburbs, everything else falls under Growing Regions. Both fund capital works — building or upgrading shared community spaces like sporting and cultural hubs, libraries, and community facilities.
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Who it's for |
Incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government councils |
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What it can fund |
Capital works for community infrastructure — new builds and upgrades |
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Grant size |
$250,000 to $15 million per project |
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Status |
The 2026–27 Federal Budget committed $781.6 million over four years for new rounds of both programs. A Forecast Funding Opportunity is live on GrantConnect, but full application details weren't open at time of writing — worth monitoring closely given the scale of funding. |
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Links |
Infrastructure Department – Thriving Suburbs & Growing Regions |
A smaller, faster federal program distributed electorate-by-electorate — your local MP identifies projects through community consultation, so building a relationship with your electorate office is part of the process.
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Who it's for |
Community organisations and local governments |
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What it can fund |
Small capital projects delivering social benefit locally |
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Grant size |
$2,500 to $20,000 |
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Status |
Round 10 was funded at $30.1 million over three years in the 2026–27 Budget. Each of Australia's 151 federal electorates receives a funding pool to distribute. |
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Links |
Stronger Communities Programme — contact your local MP's office directly |
Not a fund itself, but the Australian Government's central directory of every current and forecast Commonwealth grant opportunity — worth bookmarking as the first stop for anything federal.
Every state and territory runs its own community and gambling-funded grant schemes, and the names differ a lot more than at federal level. Here's what's currently running in each:
Both territories run community grants through their own gambling and racing regulators and community services directorates — search "ACT community grants" or "NT community benefit fund" directly, as these run smaller, more frequently updated rounds than the larger states.
Every council in Australia runs some form of community grants program — sizes and categories vary a lot, so here are four worked examples:
Recently restructured (from July 2026) into four grant programs — creative, social and community, economic, and environmental — plus always-open quick response grants and, notably for venues specifically, a venue hire support grant that helps community and cultural groups access City-owned indoor spaces at reduced rates.
Runs a broad community funding and grants hub supporting community organisations to connect, engage, and take local action.
City of Melbourne – Community Funding and Grants
Runs Community Enhancement Grants of up to $10,000 for partnerships and collaborations that build community wellbeing, alongside its sponsorship program.
City of Perth – Community Enhancement Grants
Runs a Community Grants Program split into two streams — Arts and Culture, and Community Impact — supporting free or low-cost, community-led projects.
City of Adelaide – Community Grants
If you're outside these four, your council will run an equivalent — search "[your council name] community grants" to find it. Many outer-metro and regional councils (particularly in SA and Victoria) also run dedicated facility-specific grants for halls and sports pavilions, separate from their general community grants — worth checking for both.
Reach and eligibility vary a lot here — check the geographic scope of each before applying:
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Funder |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Bendigo Bank Community Bank grants |
Local grants tied to individual Community Bank branches — check whether your area has one |
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Toyota Community Foundation |
Periodic national grant rounds, thematic focus varies by round |
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Australian Communities Foundation |
A national philanthropic foundation supporting a wide range of community causes |
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State-based Community Foundations |
Many regions now have their own place-based community foundation — check Community Foundations Australia for one near you |
What's the easiest grant for a small community group to start with? Council-level quick response grants and state gambling community benefit funds (like Queensland's GCBF or NSW's ClubGRANTS) tend to have lower application overhead and faster turnaround than federal infrastructure programs, which are built for larger capital projects.
Can sports clubs apply for the same grants as community halls? Mostly yes, though some funds exclude "general or competitive" sporting activity specifically — Lotterywest in WA is one example. Sport-specific state funds (like Victoria's Sporting Club Grants Program) usually sit alongside general community funds rather than replacing them, so sports clubs are often eligible for both.
How much can a community venue get from federal infrastructure funding? Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions fund $250,000 to $15 million projects — these are built for significant capital works, not smaller upgrades. For smaller projects, the Stronger Communities Programme ($2,500–$20,000) or your state's community benefit fund is a better fit.
Do I need to be a registered charity to apply for funding? Requirements vary by fund. Most larger federal and state programs require incorporated not-for-profit or charity status; some council-level and club-funded schemes accept less formal community groups. Check each fund's specific eligibility criteria.
Where do I find grants specific to my state if it's not covered in detail here? Start with your state or territory government's community grants or gambling/racing regulator page, and your local council's grants page — search "[your state] community grants" or "[your council name] community grants."