The short version: Round 10 of the Australian Government's Stronger Communities Programme offers grants of $2,500 to $20,000 for small capital projects run by community organisations and local councils. You can't apply on your own: your federal MP has to nominate your project, and MP nominations close at 5pm AEDT on 30 November 2026. Invited applicants then have until 5pm AEDT on 19 January 2027 to apply.
If your club, community group or council has a small project in mind, this round could pay for most or all of it. The catch is timing: your first step is a conversation with your local MP's office, and that window closes well before the application deadline.
At a glance
| Program | Stronger Communities Programme, Round 10 |
|---|---|
| Run by | Department of Industry, Science and Resources (business.gov.au), on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts |
| Funding | $2,500 to $20,000 per grant. Up to $150,000 per federal electorate, and at most 20 projects per electorate |
| Share of costs | Up to 100% of eligible project costs for most applicants. Local governing bodies: up to 50%, with at least 50% matched in cash |
| Who can apply | Incorporated not-for-profits and certain other community bodies, plus local governing bodies, with an ABN and an invitation via their federal MP |
| Key dates | MP nominations close 5pm AEDT, 30 November 2026. Applications close 5pm AEDT, 19 January 2027. Projects must be finished by 31 March 2028 |
| Status | Open (opened 21 September 2026) |
What's on offer
The grant opportunity guidelines say the 2026-27 Budget provided $22.5 million over two years for Round 10, to support small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities. That money is split across all 150 federal electorates, with up to $150,000 available in each.
Individual grants run from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $20,000. The total cost of your project can't be more than $50,000, and you cover any costs above the grant. Payment is made in one instalment once a grant agreement is in place, according to business.gov.au.
Who can apply
The guidelines say you must be invited to apply by your MP, have an ABN, and be one of these types of organisation:
- an incorporated not-for-profit, such as a surf club, child care centre, local aged care body or P&C group
- a government fire or emergency service, such as a rural fire service or state emergency service
- a non-distributing co-operative or a company limited by guarantee
- an Australian Indigenous corporation or an incorporated religious organisation
- an incorporated trustee for a trust that looks after a community asset
- a local governing body (and a short list of similar bodies named in the guidelines)
For-profit businesses, individuals, partnerships, schools, universities, hospitals and most government agencies can't apply. If your group can't incorporate, such as a scout group or parish church, the guidelines allow an eligible project sponsor to apply on your behalf.
What it pays for
Projects must be capital projects located in (or, for events and portable equipment, used in) your MP's electorate, and must line up with at least one program objective. The objectives cover areas such as tourism, Indigenous Australians, veterans, newly arrived migrants, medical facilities, accessibility for people with disability, climate resilience and community infrastructure.
Eligible costs include contractors and suppliers, design and approval fees tied to the capital works, and buying or hiring equipment and materials. You need at least $2,500 in eligible project expenditure, or $5,000 if you're a council. Our guide to eligible costs in a grant explains how to sort your quotes.
The guidelines rule out in-kind contributions (including volunteer time), staff salaries and running costs, ongoing maintenance, rent and rates, feasibility studies, buying land or buildings, private or commercial ventures, and work on private homes.
Councils need to fund at least half of the eligible costs themselves, in cash, though the guidelines say that money can come from any source, including state government. Our guide to co-contributions and matched funding walks through how that share is worked out.
Key dates and how to apply
The process runs in two stages. First, your MP works with a community consultation committee to choose projects, then nominates them through the portal by 5pm AEDT on 30 November 2026. The department checks those nominations and invites eligible organisations to apply. Only invited organisations can submit an application, and the invitation link can't be forwarded to anyone else.
Second, invited applicants complete the application through the business.gov.au portal by 5pm AEDT on 19 January 2027. Late applications won't be considered.
Applications are scored on one criterion: how well the project fits the program's objectives and outcomes. Half the points are for the community benefit and half for how you'll manage the project, and you need at least 50% to be funded.
On timing, you can start the project from the date you submit your application, but at your own risk until a grant agreement is signed. Anything you spend before you submit is not eligible. If you're unsure where that leaves you, read can you get a grant for a project you've already started?
GrantAlly reads the guidelines you upload and checks each published rule against your project, such as the $50,000 cost cap and the minimum spend, and recommends whether to apply before you start writing. See how the eligibility check works.
What to do now
Because the nomination step comes first, the date that matters most for you is 30 November, not 19 January.
- Find your federal electorate and MP using the AEC's Find my electorate tool.
- Contact your MP's electorate office now and ask how they're collecting projects. MPs invite organisations to submit an expression of interest, and an MP's own cut-off may be earlier than 30 November.
- Check your project's address sits inside that electorate. The guidelines use the 2025 federal boundaries and point to the ABS maps tool for checking.
- Gather quotes so you can show the cost is between $2,500 and $50,000 in total.
- Have your ABN and proof of not-for-profit status ready, such as your incorporation certificate or ACNC registration.
- Don't sign contracts or pay deposits before you submit an application.
Things to watch
An invitation to apply doesn't guarantee funding, and each electorate's $150,000 can only stretch so far. Successful projects also need an end-of-project report. Program details can change, so read the full guidelines and contact the program on 13 28 46 if something isn't clear.
Get your community project ready, with GrantAlly
If your MP invites you to apply, the application window over summer is short. GrantAlly helps you:
- Know if it's worth applying before you write a word, with each published rule checked against your project.
- Get past the blank page with draft answers built from your own project details.
- Build a budget that adds up with eligible, excluded and unresolved costs, the funding share and your contribution laid out.
You review every answer and submit the application yourself. Your project, your facts, your final say.
Register your interest ↗Ready to try GrantAlly? Register your interest and we'll email you when you can start, along with any free pilot places.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Stronger Communities Programme without my MP?
No. Your federal MP must nominate your project, and only organisations invited by the department after that nomination can submit an application.
Can a small business apply for Round 10?
No. For-profit organisations, individuals and partnerships are not eligible. The program is for incorporated not-for-profits, certain community bodies and local governing bodies.
Do councils have to contribute to the project?
Yes. Local governing bodies can receive up to 50% of eligible project costs and must contribute at least 50% in cash. Other eligible applicants can receive up to 100% of eligible costs.