The Australian Government is inviting applications via a restricted process (via eligibility) to apply to deliver services under the Social Enterprise Development Initiative - First Nations Grants Administrator nationally from 2025-26 to 2026-27.

The $11.6 million Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) Program now has an additional $2.94 million across 2025-26 and 2026-27 to engage a First Nations Grants Administrator. The First Nations Grants Administrator will work with the Department of Social Services to design and deliver Capability Building Funding that effectively supports First Nations social enterprises nationally.

This funding amount is inclusive of administration funding and Capability Building Funding for social enterprises. In responding to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, organisations will need to specify the proportion of funding proposed for administration and the proportion of funding proposed for Capability Building Funding. 

Administration funding

• Refers to the funding the First Nations Grants Administrator will need to design, market the grant opportunity, assess applications and support successful social enterprises.
• As part of the administration funding, you may form and pay (through sub-contracting arrangements) a panel of expert advisors within the provided budget to assist in the selection of First Nations social enterprises to be provided

Capability Building Funding

• Capability Building Funding Refers to the funding allocated for eligible First Nations social enterprises (not all eligible First Nations social enterprises will receive funding; this will be a competitive process).
• Social enterprises use the funding to purchase capability building support from specialists of their choosing.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types: 

• Company
• Cooperative 
• Corporate Commonwealth Entity 
• Corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Incorporated Association 
• Indigenous Corporation 
• Local Government Entity
• Non-corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity 
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority 
• Partnership
• Statutory Entity.

If you are applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust, the Trustee must have an eligible entity type as listed above. You must also be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation in one of the 3 groups below or form a consortium with an organisation(s) that is in one of the 3 groups below:

• Group 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled organisation
  • These are organisations that are incorporated, not for profit, at least 51% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and at least 51% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled (Board members or equivalent).
• Group 2: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Operated and Controlled organisation
  • These are organisations that are at least 51% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and at least 51% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled (Board members or equivalent).
• Group 3: Other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation
  • These are organisations that are at least 50% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned OR at least 50% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled (Board members or equivalent).

• Phone: 1800 020 283
• Email: support@communitygrants.gov.au