Frequently asked questions

Grant opportunities

How do I know what grant opportunities are available?

We list current grant opportunities administered by the Community Grants Hub on the Open Grants page.

Subscribe to our website and register with GrantConnect to learn about new grants.

When can I apply for a grant?

The Open Grants page has information about upcoming or open grant opportunities. Each grant will have different open and close dates.

Always check the time zone and submit your application before the closing time and date.

How do I apply for a grant?

Please see the Grant Support page for detailed information to help with applying for a grant.

GrantConnect publishes the full grant opportunity, including the documents and application form.

Why do I have to register with GrantConnect?

GrantConnect is an Australian Government site. It provides a single place for all public Commonwealth grant opportunities. You will also find grant awards and forecast opportunities on GrantConnect.

You can browse information on GrantConnect without logging in. You need to register and log in to download grant documents or access restricted content.

Registering is free. It helps you stay updated on grant opportunities as they are published.

Check out the Grant Connect New User Registration Guide on our website for details.

I want to apply for a grant, but the selection process says closed, targeted or restricted. How can I apply?

Not all grant opportunities are offered under an open process. Organisations may receive an invitation to apply, or the grant may have certain eligibility.

You can learn about different selection processes on our website.

Where do I find more information about a specific grant?

GrantConnect publishes detailed information on the grant opportunity documents page for each grant.

All grants have specific Grant Opportunity Guidelines. Almost all grants have a Questions & Answers document that will answer most questions. You must read these documents before applying for a grant.

Can I get help using or logging into GrantConnect?

Check out the Grant Connect New User Registration Guide on our website for details.

You can also contact the GrantConnect Helpdesk for technical or account issues.

Can the Community Grants Hub tell me if I’m eligible to apply for a grant?

To keep the grant process fair, the Community Grants Hub can’t say if your organisation can apply for a grant. We also cannot confirm or help you check your entity type.

You must check the eligibility requirements in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on GrantConnect. Applicants must self-determine if they are eligible to apply.

Check out the Confirming your legal entity status page to help you clarify your entity type.

Why can’t the Community Grants Hub confirm my organisation’s entity type?

Under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024, there are some things we can’t help applicants with. This includes advice about your entity type or whether you meet the eligibility requirements. We can’t confirm these until the delegate approves the funding outcomes.

The Hub validates your entity type using publicly available information, along with the information you provide us.

During the assessment period, we may contact you to ask for more details to confirm your entity type. If we do, it’s only to help us understand your information and support the decision-making process.

Check out the Confirming your legal entity status page to help you clarify your entity type.

Can you explain some of the wording used in the grant documents?

Check out the Glossary for definitions of words commonly used in grant documentation.

Applying for a grant

Can someone from the Community Grants Hub help me with my application?

To keep the grant process fair, the Community Grants Hub can’t help you write your responses. We also can't give you specific advice on what information to include in your application.

The Community Grants Hub can point applicants to public information. This includes things like application instructions and published documents on GrantConnect.

Check out the Applying for a grant page on our website for details.

Do I have to use GrantConnect to apply for a grant?

The Community Grants Hub doesn't send or accept grant application forms by fax, email or mail. This will only happen if written in the grant opportunity documents.

What happens if I’ve read the grant documents, but I can’t find an answer to my question?

If you can’t find an answer to your question in the grant documents on GrantConnect, please contact us.

GrantConnect will publish new information or changes to grant documentation as an addendum.

I got an email from GrantConnect called an addendum notice. What is an addendum?

When you log in to view the documents for a grant opportunity, you will receive an addendum notice if there are changes to the grant information.

When we update a grant document, we add the new version to the bottom of the grant opportunity documents list.

It’s important to view any updated information to decide if it is relevant to your application.

A business is offering to help me complete my grant application. Is this the Community Grants Hub?

The Community Grants Hub doesn’t use outside organisations to help applicants with their grant applications. Applicants engaging these services do so at their own risk.

Check out the Applying for a grant page for help with submitting grant applications.

How do I know what attachments I need to include in my application?

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines will tell you which attachments to include.

Always check the listed attachments in the guidelines. Some are mandatory, but others may be optional.

Mandatory templates, if available, are usually in the grant opportunity documents on GrantConnect.

Can I view or change my application after I have submitted it?

You won’t be able to view or edit your online application form after submission.

If you want to withdraw an application, please contact us with your submission reference.

Will you contact me if there’s a problem with my application?

If we find an error or something missing, we may ask you for clarification or more information. This information must not change the nature of your application.

We can refuse any extra information that would change your application after the closing time.

The policy on incomplete applications and missing information explains when we might contact you and what details we may need.

The application form asks me to add one or more Service Areas (SA1-4). How do I find my SA?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines Statistical Area Levels.

To find the relevant service area/s, open ABS Maps on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website. Select the relevant statistical area level from the first boundary type drop-down menu.

Enter the address you wish to search and click the magnifying glass. Clicking into the map will show you the location’s service area name.

If you need help confirming your service area, please contact us.

How do I know if I submitted my application correctly?

When you submit an application on GrantConnect, the email address you used will receive an automatic email. This email will have your submission reference number (SRN).

To check if you submitted your application, please contact us.

How do I download a copy of my submitted application?

When you submit an application on GrantConnect, you'll get an automatic email. This email goes to the address you used to start the application. This email includes a PDF receipt of the submitted application form.

If you didn't get this email or need a copy of the application form, ask one of the authorised contacts to contact us. Include your submission reference, and we will send you a copy.

I missed the grant closing date. What can I do?

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect will explain whether a late application will be considered. They will also state the deadline for requesting to submit one. Not all grant opportunities will allow late applications.

You can read our late application policy on the How to lodge a late application page.

How do I withdraw my application?

To withdraw your application, one of the authorised contacts can contact us.

They should include the reason for withdrawing the application and the submission reference.

How do I make changes to the contacts on my grant application?

If your application is still being assessed, please contact us. 

Please include your submission reference and the details to update. The request needs to come from an authorised contact on the application form.

Why can’t I request information or changes to my organisation’s application if I’m not an authorised contact?

We have strict fraud controls in place. These controls protect grant applicants and the Commonwealth Government from fraud. This is why only authorised contacts can request changes or give extra information about an application.

If you are an authorised contact, you may be able to request some changes to your grant application. Please contact us with your request and the submission reference.

Application form

Can I practice submitting an application on GrantConnect?

You can practice applying for a grant using the GrantConnect demo grant opportunity.

What is a submission reference ID?

GrantConnect creates a unique code known as a submission reference (SRN) when you start an application form. You will need your SRN to access a saved form, and when communicating with the Community Grants Hub.

Can I continue an application form that I started but didn’t submit?

When you start and save an application on GrantConnect, you’ll get an automatic email from [email protected]. This email will include your submission reference (SRN) and a link to return to your form.

Or click the submit application button on the GrantConnect page. Then click the open saved form button on the left side and enter your submission reference.

You can access your form for 60 days after it was last opened or the grant closes, whichever date is earliest.

Who do I contact if I’m having trouble using or submitting an application form?

If you need help accessing or submitting an application form, please contact us.

For technical or account issues, please contact the GrantConnect Helpdesk.

My application form asks for an Organisation ID. How do I find this?

If your organisation has received funding from the Community Grants Hub before, your organisation ID will be on your grant agreement.

If you don’t have an Organisation ID, select no. The form will then ask you to enter your organisation’s details.

If you need help with your organisation ID, or your details are wrong, please contact us or your Funding Arrangement Manager (FAM).

I can’t validate my address in the application form. What do I do?

If you can’t validate your physical address, tick the ‘Unable to validate’ check box on the form. You will then be able to continue with your application. This will not affect the submission of your application.

The application form asks for a landline phone number, but I don’t have one. What do I do?

If you don’t have a landline phone number, enter your preferred contact number instead. This can be a mobile phone number. If you only have one preferred phone number, please enter it into both fields.

I’m having trouble uploading an attachment. What do I do?

The application form marks all mandatory attachments with a red asterisk (*). You won’t be able to continue or submit your form if these attachments are missing.
Here are a few tips to help avoid upload issues:

  • File size: Each file must be less than 2 MB. Zip or compressed files are not accepted.
  • File name:
    • Give each file a unique name.
    • Do not use punctuation marks (like full stops/periods, commas, or symbols such as !, @, #).
    • Underscores (_) are okay.
    • Example:
      • Not allowed: 2015.16 Financial Statements.pdf
      • Allowed: 2015_2016 Financial Statements.pdf
    • Wait for each file to finish uploading before deleting or adding the next one.

If you need help uploading an attachment, please contact us.

Can I share my application form with other people in my organisation?

Before submitting your application, you can share your form. Only one person can access or edit the form at a time. To prevent errors or losing your progress, ensure you save and close the form before sharing.

Email: Forward the Form Opened email. This email includes your submission reference (SRN) and a link to return to your form.

Submission Reference: Users can click the submit application button on the GrantConnect page. They can then click the open saved form button on the left side and enter the submission reference.

Can I print my application form?

You can’t print your entire application form before submitting it. You can print each page by right-clicking and selecting ‘Print’ on the current page.

After submitting an application, GrantConnect sends an automatic email with a PDF receipt. GrantConnect sends this email to the email address used to start the form.

If you didn’t receive this, you can contact us with your submission reference for a copy of your application.

If I submit another application, will it replace my previous application/s?

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect will explain if you can submit several applications.

Some grant will only allow one application per organisation. In this case, if an organisation submits several applications, only the latest accepted one will progress.

To withdraw an application, one of the authorised contacts can contact us with the request and submission reference.

After applying for a grant

I haven’t received any updates on my application. How can I find out where the process is up to?

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect outline the expected timing for each stage of a grant. This information is only a guide. Timeframes may change based on the number of applications received and the Selection Advisory Panel's capacity.

All applicants will be notified of their grant outcome in writing after the selection process has been finalised.

The Community Grants Hub can check if your grant application is still being assessed. But we cannot provide an updated timeframe for when you will know the outcome.

How do I find out who has been successful in a grant round?

All awarded grants appear on GrantConnect within 21 working days after the grant agreement starts. The Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024 outline this rule.

Can I appeal the outcome of a selection process?

Funding decisions made in a government selection process are final. You cannot appeal a funding decision.

You can leave feedback about grant selection processes. The Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect outline how to provide us with feedback.

For advice on providing feedback on your experience, please contact us.

I received an email saying my grant application was successful. What happens next?

Grant agreements can take 6-8 weeks to prepare and send to successful organisations. The Community Grants Hub will contact you by email to offer you your grant agreement.

To see if we have sent your grant agreement, please contact us with your submission reference.

Why does my Successful Outcome letter ask me to keep the outcome confidential until an agreement is in place?

We ask you to keep your outcome confidential to allow all organisations a chance to receive their outcome. You can publicise your funding outcome after you execute your grant agreement. The outcome will also be published on GrantConnect within 21 days of the agreement taking effect.

When will I receive my grant funding?

Your grant agreement will outline the timing of your project’s grant payments.

Visit the Managing a grant page for more details. You can also contact us or your Funding Arrangement Manager (FAM) for more information. Please include your submission reference when contacting us.

How do I find my Funding Arrangement Manager’s details?

Your grant agreement lists the contact details of your Funding Arrangement Manager (FAM). The Commonwealth representative in the 'party representatives' section is your FAM.

If you need help finding your FAM, please contact us with your submission reference.

How do I make changes to my grant agreement?

Current grant recipients can update organisation details through the Grant Recipient Portal. You can also update your details through your Funding Arrangement Manager (FAM).

If you need help with the Grant Recipient Portal or to contact your FAM, please contact us.

General support

How do I report fraud, spam or scams?

Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out how to protect yourself and report scams.

I have a complaint about a grant or grant process. How do I leave feedback?

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines outline how to give feedback or submit a complaint. This is specific for each grant opportunity, and available on GrantConnect.

If your feedback or complaint is about the Community Grants Hub and our service, you can read the information about how to make a complaint on the Department of Social Services website.

If your feedback or complaint is about the grant opportunity itself, the Grant Opportunity Guidelines (available on GrantConnect) will explain how to contact the government agency that is offering the grant.

What is the difference between the Community Grants Hub and GrantConnect?

GrantConnect provides a central site where all Australian Government grants are published. For more information visit GrantConnect Help and Information Centre.

The Community Grants Hub provides community grant administration services on behalf of Australian Government agencies.

The Business Grants Hub provides business grant administration services on behalf of Australian Government agencies.

Can the Community Grants Hub fund my business or project idea?

The Community Grants Hub does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding.

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines for each grant opportunity (available on GrantConnect) explain the intended outcomes. They also detail what projects or activities the funding can support.

I need financial support. Can the Community Grants Hub help?

The Community Grants Hub does not provide financial support to individuals.

The Department of Social Services’ website has information about income support payments. You can also use the Services Australia Payment and Service Finder tool for more details.

I want to access services from an organisation funded through a grant. How can I find this information?

All awarded grants appear on GrantConnect within 21 working days after the grant agreement starts. The Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024 outline this rule.

The DSS Grants Service Providers Directory lists organisations funded by the Department of Social Services.

I received a call or email from someone claiming to be the Community Grants Hub. How do I know if this is legitimate?

The Community Grants Hub may contact you by phone or email. We may ask for extra documents, check your information, update you on your grant application, or talk about your grant agreement.

We encourage you to contact us directly if you aren’t sure whether a call or email is legitimate, and check out the Scam Alerts page for details on protecting yourself from scams.

The Data Exchange

What is the Data Exchange?

The Department of Social Services has improved how it reports on program performance for new grant agreements using the Data Exchange. The Data Exchange applies to most client-based grant programs. The Data Exchange will introduce more consistent, prioritised, and collaborative reporting processes over time.

The Data Exchange shows how funding agencies and service providers share information. This partnership helps both sides find smarter, more efficient ways to improve service delivery. It also helps partnerships understand the outcomes being achieved for individuals, families, and communities.

Data requirements have two parts.

  • Mandatory requirements that all funded services must report on
  • A voluntary extended data set that providers can choose to share.

We call this the partnership approach.

Joining the partnership approach is completely voluntary. Providers who choose not to share the extended data set won’t face negative consequences.

My organisation gets funding. We use this to support state and territory associations. These associations then help local community groups deliver support to the target group. Who is the client in our program reporting?

The client is usually the recipient or target group of the support. You need to keep a simple record for every client getting support during the reporting period. The state or local group providing the support is not the client. The Protocols document on the Data Exchange website offers more details on data definitions.

Where can I find the ‘Using SCORE to report outcomes’ factsheet?

The factsheet is available on the Data Exchange website.

How detailed must the mandatory data on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and disability status be?

You can select the following disability status categories, and you can select more than one category:

  • Intellectual learning
  • Psychiatric (mental health)
  • Sensory/Speech
  • Physical/diverse
  • Not stated/inadequately described
  • None

We ask two questions to determine culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) status:

  • Main language spoken at home
  • Country of birth

For more details, check the Data Exchange Protocols document on the Data Exchange website. The Data Exchange Protocols offer users clear guidance for all program activities that fall within the scope.