The National Australia Day Council offers funding each year to help councils, not-for-profits and community groups hold accessible and inclusive Australia Day events.

Since 2021, the Community Events Grant Program has backed more than 3,000 events. From smoking ceremonies to family fun days, citizenship ceremonies and First Nations cultural activities to multicultural festivals and backyard BBQs, Australia day provides us all with the opportunity to reflect, respect and celebrate our proud, ancient, and multicultural nation.

Australia Day 2026: Apply for a $10,000 Base Grant and access the $5,000 Additional Grant for events that include significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements. Alternate grants of $2,000 are also available to top up your budget or cover the full cost of a smaller event.

To be considered for this grant opportunity, the applicant must be either:

• an Australian local government entity
• an Australian state or territory government entity 
• an Australian not-for-profit organisation.

The applicant must also have public liability insurance.

To be considered for this grant opportunity, applicants must demonstrate that the planned event intends to include an inclusivity element for people with disability.

Who is not eligible

An applicant is not eligible for a grant under this grant opportunity if they:

• are an individual
• are an unincorporated organisation
• are an entity that is part of the state and territory Australia Day Network
• are an entity who is not either 
  • an Australian local government or state or territory government, or
  • an Australian not-for-profit organisation
• do not have public liability insurance
• have not properly acquitted a grant provided by NADC under previous Australia Day Community Events Grant Programs (or similar).

• Email: grants@australiaday.org.au