New $10 Million Volunteer Grants to Break Down Barriers to Giving Back
The Albanese Labor Government is backing volunteers around the country and creating more opportunities for Australians of all walks of life to take part in volunteering through a new $10 million round of Volunteer Grants for 2025-26.
This new round of Volunteer Grants will see eligible not-for-profit community organisations across Australia receive between $1,000 to $5,000 in funding to support and grow their cohort of volunteers.
Each year Volunteer Grants support community organisations that rely on volunteers by helping with costs relating to volunteering. Grants can be used to purchase small equipment items, tools, training and support for specific volunteer-run activities.
This year, the Australian Government has expanded the eligibility criteria further allowing community organisations to purchase items to support more volunteer cohorts and activities.
Organisations will be able to use their funding to make volunteering more accessible for cohorts including First Nations people, people with disability, unemployed people, newly arrived migrants, veterans and women who have experienced gender-based violence or isolation.
Grants are available in all 150 Federal Electorates. Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) will call for Expressions of Interests from organisations and work with their community committees and the Government to ensure equitable distribution of funding across the country.
Volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and the Australian Government to date has invested over $85 million to support the volunteer sector and help connect people with opportunities in their local community.
Volunteer Grants form part of a broader commitment to building a thriving volunteer sector, supporting initiatives under the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-2033 and complementing the recent Hanging Out to Help Out campaign, a national campaign to promote volunteering to young people.
Expressions of Interests will open with your Federal MP in February 2026.
More information on Volunteer Grants is available on the Department of Social Services website.
Assistant Minister, Ged Kearney: said,
“We know there are many Australians who want to give back but face barriers, from disability, isolation, past experiences of violence, or the challenges of settling into a new country. This funding helps organisations remove those barriers so more people can participate, contribute and feel part of their community.
“When we make volunteering more accessible, we don’t just strengthen organisations, we strengthen social connection, confidence and opportunity for people right across Australia.
“Organisations interested in Volunteer Grants should look out for their Federal MPs call for Expression of Interests which is expected in February 2026”.
