Grants

You can apply if you are:

• based in regional or remote Australia (eligible locations MM2-MM7, see below)
• an individual artist or arts worker with a sole trader ABN
• an Australian incorporated organisation that can provide evidence of non-profit status (e.g. an incorporated association, a company limited by guarantee, an Indigenous corporation, a proprietary limited company or a cooperative)
• a local government organisation
• an unincorporated group with an eligible auspice organisation to manage the funding
• over 18 years of age. Note: If you’re under 18, you can still apply however, your application must be supported by an adult (18 or over) who has an ABN and agrees to manage the funding on your behalf.

To check your location eligibility, visit the Regional Arts Fund eligibility map and enter your address in the ‘Find address or place’ box. The MM code and eligibility status will appear on the lefthand side of the screen. You are not eligible if your address is classified as MM 1 (major cities).

The postcode of the ABN you enter must match that of your address. When applying, you will be asked to insert your ABN and the fields will be automatically populated based on the most up to date information from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). If you have moved since your ABN was registered, contact the ATO to update your address prior to submitting your application.

If your opportunity is small, short-term, urgent or unplanned – apply for a Quick Response Grant. If your project is larger, planned, and longer-term – apply for a Project Grant. 

Quick Response Grants support small, time-sensitive arts opportunities for artists and arts workers in regional Australia. These grants are designed for opportunities that: 

• arise unexpectedly 

• cannot be planned in advance 

• cannot wait for a larger funding round 

For example: 

• attending a professional development opportunity 

• taking up a short-notice creative opportunity delivering a small, immediate arts activity 

Individuals can apply for up to $3,000 and organisations can apply for up to $5,000. 

Project Grants support larger, more developed projects. These are for activities that: 

• take more time to plan 

• involve deeper community engagement 

• have longer-term outcomes 

For example: 

• creating new work 

• running a community arts project 

• delivering a multi-stage program 

These grants require more detailed planning and application information. All applicants can apply for up to $30,000. 

Your project must primarily benefit a regional or remote community. 

You can use the grant to pay for:  

• artist fees (fair pay required, using NAVA, MEAA or LPA rates) 

• travel and accommodation 

• materials 

• venue or equipment hire 

• accessibility costs 

• project administration costs 

• marketing and promotion 

Grants will not fund the following activities or expenditure items:  

• grant activity principally benefitting a major city or metropolitan location (MM 1)  

• grant activity that will commence before funding is approved 

• components of activities that are also funded by other programs administered by the Australian Government or other state and local government agencies 

• touring activities from major cities (MM 1), such as tours of performances and exhibitions 

• curriculum based activities, including for primary, secondary or tertiary courses 

• competitions, prizes or awards 

• ongoing activities of collecting institutions  

• ongoing core administration costs of the applicant organisation 

• infrastructure costs including building or fitting out permanent structures 

For Quick Response or Artist Development grants, applicants will be notified 5 working days after the close of the round. 

For Project Grants, applicants will be notified approximately 3 months after the close of the round. Project Grant round recipients are approved by the federal Minister for the Arts, hence the longer timeframes. 

You can receive up to two grants in a financial year, but only one from each of the grant programs: 

• 1 x Project Grant (2 rounds per year) 

• 1 x Quick Response Grant (10 rounds per year) 

In a funding context, an auspice is an organisation who manages grant funding on your group or unincorporated organisation’s behalf. For example, an individual or small community group with limited resources may use their local council or a not-for-profit organisation as their auspice. The auspice organisation will receive and manage the grant funding but is not involved in the project otherwise. It helps if you have an existing relationship with the organisation or are from the same community. 

In-kind income is a contribution of a good or a service other than money. Some examples include voluntary labour (yours or others on the project), donated materials, use of venue at no charge, loan of equipment including vehicles. Calculate loaned or donated goods at the price you would pay for them if you were purchasing or hiring. Use of own vehicle is calculated at $1.14 per km. In South Australia, volunteer time is calculated at $50.50 per hour. 

Sometimes an organisation or individual might offer to help you by providing something you require for your project at no cost or at a reduced amount. This is referred to as an ‘in-kind contribution’ and has a value or cost that can be shown in your project budget.  This is also an opportunity to provide further evidence of how your partners will be supporting you with in-kind support.