GO8662: 2026-27 Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants Program

Throughout Australia, individuals and groups are working to identify private unmarked graves of First World War veterans and marking these graves to recognise their service.

This Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants (MPG) Program contributes to the cost of establishing a grave marker on currently unmarked private graves.

The MPG Program provides one-off funding of up to $620 per grave to assist with the purchase of a grave marker for unmarked private graves of veterans of the First World War.

You can seek funding for up to 10 grave markers in each individual application, and you may only submit a maximum of 2 applications.

The objective of the grant opportunity is to contribute to community recognition of the service and sacrifice of service personnel in the First World War.

It does this by providing funding to contribute to the cost of establishing a grave marker on currently unmarked private graves.

The intended outcome of the MPG Program is to mark private graves of veterans of the First World War so as to: enable community recognition of service preserve and add to the knowledge of, or provide information about, Australia’s wartime heritage.

The grave must be located within the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos and Keeling Islands, Norfolk Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands, and Heard and McDonald Islands.

It must be an existing unmarked grave, meaning it is completely bare of a permanent headstone, plaque or kerbing; or has kerbing but no prior commemoration; and has no above-ground infrastructure.

The veteran must have lived in Australia at enlistment, seen active service in the First World War between 10 August 1914 and 21 August 1918 with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Australian Imperial Force or King Edwards Horse, and have been assessed by the Repatriation Commission as ineligible for official commemoration.

Applicants must have appropriate documented permission to alter the grave and a formal quote from an authorised provider for the total marker cost.

Not-for-profit organisations must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and have current documentation and reports by the application closing date.