Grant programs

The Australian Government values our success as a multicultural nation. Our range of multicultural grant programs recognise and support multicultural communities and how they contribute to Australia.

This government investment embraces Australia’s multicultural diversity. It helps multicultural communities become active in, contribute to, and benefit from, Australia’s economic and social development.

Find grant opportunities

For more information on grant opportunities, see the Australian Government’s grants information system, GrantConnect.

To be notified about new grant opportunities you can subscribe to the Community Grants Hub mailing list.

Modernised Multicultural Grants Program

The Australian Government commits to supporting a stronger multicultural Australia through the Modernised Multicultural Grants Program.

This program will:

give more consistent and long term funding to multicultural organisations
foster more certainty and sustainability for multicultural organisations
support longer-term initiatives and lasting results.

The funding will support organisations to:

hold local events
celebrate festivals
build and deliver support programs
improve amenities
build facilities
strengthen their ability to serve both members of their own community and the broader society.

This program will give funding through 4 separate streams:

Multicultural Grassroots Initiatives – Round 1 is now closed, further information on Round 2 is below
Multicultural Peak Body Project Funding – CLOSED
Faith Leaders Training
Infrastructure for Multicultural Organisations.

For more information on these grant streams, including how to apply, see the Australian Government’s grants information system GrantConnect.

Subscribe to the Community Grants Hub mailing list to get notifications of new grant opportunities.

Multicultural Grassroots Initiatives

Round 1 of this grant opportunity is now closed for applications.

The Australian Government has provided an additional $25 million worth of funding for another round of Multicultural Grassroots Initiatives grants.

The core purpose of MGI will not change; that is, to enhance the capacity of multicultural community led grassroots organisations to foster a cohesive multicultural Australia by:

enhancing the capacity of multicultural community led grassroots organisations to foster a cohesive multicultural Australia
increasing understanding of racial, religious and cultural diversity
fostering integration through increased levels of social participation by culturally and linguistically diverse Australians
fostering a sense of community and belonging among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Existing applications received in Round 1 are not being revisited; interested organisations will need to submit a new application when future Rounds open for applications.

The Department is currently in the early stages of designing future rounds in partnership with the Community Grants Hub and can therefore not advise any specific opening/closing dates at this time.

Further information regarding this grant opportunity will be published on this webpage, as well as GrantConnect, as it becomes available.

Multicultural Peak Body Project Funding

This grant opportunity is closed for applications.

The Multicultural Peak Body Project Funding (MPBPF) program will provide up to $4 million over 4 years through an open and competitive grant opportunity

National multicultural peak bodies were able to apply for up to $1.6 million GST exclusive (up to $400,000 per year over 4 years) to work in partnership with the Australian Government. This will help strengthen Australia’s multicultural capacity. It will also promote a greater understanding and acceptance of our:

inclusive national identity
civics and citizenship
multicultural and multi-faith diversity.

Successful applicants will need to deliver projects and activities that enhance multicultural sectors, organisations and individuals. They will need to facilitate the participation and inclusion of new and emerging communities and established community groups.

More information on this grant opportunity is in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines at GrantConnect.

Faith Leaders Training

This grant opportunity will provide up to $2 million over 3 years, from 2025-26 for organisations to develop and deliver non-religious training courses to faith leaders, and to persons holding pastoral roles in faith organisations.

We will carry out a consultation process on the design and implementation of this training in early 2025. Information about how to provide feedback or be involved in consultations will be available on our website.

You can apply for this round in 2025.

Infrastructure for Multicultural Organisations

This grant opportunity will provide up to $70 million over 3 years from 2025-26 for infrastructure projects. Applicants will be able to apply for up to A$20 million over 3 years from 2025-26. More information on this grant round will be available shortly.

Successful projects for this grant will aim to construct, upgrade or extend infrastructure that demonstrates benefits to multicultural communities. This may include:

community hubs and centres
museums, libraries and art spaces
indoor and outdoor amenities, like food preparation areas, dining spaces, bathrooms, play equipment and barbecue facilities
meeting and conference facilities
stages, auditoriums and spaces to encourage performing arts
spaces for sporting and physical activities.

To be eligible to apply, your project must be investment ready (or ‘shovel ready’). This means construction can start within 12 weeks of executing your grant agreement. You will need to have:

regulatory or development approvals
evidence of experience in delivering similar sized projects or have engaged a third party with relevant experience
evidence of your co-contribution from another source (for example state government funding) or your cash contribution to the project
a detailed project proposal, including project plans (designs), timelines and procurement process
detailed budget including quotes and cost benefit analysis
detailed risk management plan
evidence that you either own the land/infrastructure being built/upgraded, or that you have the landowner’s permission to use it.

Aspire Sports Centre

The Australian Government will invest $15 million in partnership with the Bachar Houli Foundation. This will fund the Aspire Sports Centre, a state-of-the-art national sport and education centre of excellence in Melbourne's north-west suburbs.

The Aspire Sports Centre will be an inclusive and active place for all Australians to come together and connect through sport. It will be available to community organisations and sporting clubs.

For more information, view the media release.

Funding for communities affected by Hamas-Israel conflict

On 19 October 2023, the Australian Government announced initiatives across government to address the social cohesion impacts of the Hamas-Israel conflict in Australia.

For more information, see Community funding to support social cohesion initiatives.

Previous grant programs

These grant rounds have closed to new applications. Information on each programs’ grant opportunity guidelines and successful funding recipients is available on GrantConnect.

Previous rounds included:

Community Language Schools Grants
Local Multicultural Projects Program
Fostering Integration Grants

Find out more at Previous grant programs.