GO8631: Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) Program 2026-27

The Australian Government is providing funding under the VWG Program through a Targeted Competitive grants process.

To be eligible to apply your organisation must be either: an ESO applying in its own right (as defined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines), or as the lead organisation of a consortium, or a non-ESO applying as the lead member of a consortium with at least one ESO and be one of the legal entity types as outlined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

The Australian Government has announced a total of up to $3.744 million (GST exclusive) for the VWG Program for the 2026–27 financial year.

Applications will be considered under 2 grant streams: Stream A Small Grants (up to a maximum of $50,000 per grant) and Stream B Large Grants (from $50,001 to a maximum of $200,000 per grant).

There is no set proportion of the funding allocated per stream.

The objectives of the VWG Program are to: maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community, by providing funding for activities and projects that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing deliver activities and projects not already provided by Australian, state, territory or local government funding to the veteran community to build future community capacity expand on existing activities and projects offered to the veteran community in new regions within Australia or in the development of new activities and projects that will be offered in more than one location raise awareness of the important issues faced by the veteran community.

Applicants must be either an ex-service organisation (ESO) applying in its own right or leading a consortium, or a non-ESO leading a consortium that includes at least one ESO.

The lead organisation must be an eligible legal entity type: Company, Cooperative, Incorporated Association, Indigenous Corporation, Statutory Entity, or an Unincorporated Association for grant activities up to $10,000 only.

Not-for-profit applicants must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

An ESO must have demonstrated direct links to the ex-service community; membership consisting primarily of current and former ADF members and/or their families; clear referral pathways for veterans seeking wellbeing and/or compensation advocacy support; no fee for acting for veterans and/or their families in claims or wellbeing services; and objectives aimed at benefiting veteran wellbeing.

Trustees may apply on behalf of a Trust where the Trustee is an eligible entity type and supplies the signed Trust Deed and subsequent variations.

Consortia must have an eligible lead organisation, include at least one eligible ESO, and provide a Letter of Declaration signed by all parties.

Applicants must have appropriate qualifications and skills, comply with relevant registration and mandatory reporting obligations, meet applicable working-with-children/vulnerable-people requirements, and provide current public liability insurance for activities involving people unless funding is solely for purchase of an item.