Volunteer Grants 2026

I am proud to represent a community made richer and more vibrant by its long-standing culture of volunteering, and I am always seeking to ensure that effort and commitment is supported.

On that basis, I am pleased to advise that the Albanese Government’s Volunteer Grants 2026 program is now accepting expressions of interest!

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to help community organisations operating in the local government areas of Fremantle, Cockburn, or East Fremantle to support their volunteer base.

This year, changes have been made to the program to support key costs facing volunteer organisations, and to better align with the government’s commitment to making volunteering more inclusive and accessible.

Grants will be awarded that fit within one of two categories:

• Category 1: for communications and IT items (such as laptops, phones, payment devices and software), and paying for insurance premiums.
• Category 2: for items and activities that support the volunteering capacity and/or wellbeing of:
  • Children and young people under 18.
  • First Nations People.
  • Newly arrived migrants who are not citizens.
  • People with disability.
  • Veterans or ADF members.
  • Women experiencing gender-based discrimination or disadvantage, or experiencing or at risk of experiencing gender-based violence or isolation.
  • Multicultural groups, especially as it relates to promoting harmony and eliminating racial discrimination.

Please note that the application process has two phases.

The first step is to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with my office by 5pm AWST on Monday, 30 March 2026 via the form below. No late proposals will be accepted.

The second step of the process occurs from May when the Department of Australian Government’s Department of Social Services (DSS) invites organisations nominated by the Fremantle Community Consultation Panel to make a formal application.

Please assess your project for eligibility against the Volunteer Grant Guidelines before submitting, and ensure that all details are correct before submitting your EOI.

For more information read the Volunteer Grant guidelines. Should you have any questions about this grant please email cam.orourke@aph.gov.au.

EOI APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED