Volunteer Grants EOI open

The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP. Member for New England

2026 Volunteer Grants $1000 to $5000 Expressions of Interest Open

The Australian Government Volunteer Grants Program provides funding for organisations that increase participation in volunteering and focus on the inclusion of vulnerable people. The Volunteer Grants program is an initiative established to support local volunteers, ensuring they can continue their valuable work in the community safely and appropriately.

“I always say there are three types of people in this world, the ones that throw rubbish out a car window, those that complain about those that throw rubbish out the car window and there are those that pick it up. This program supports those special people in our community that pick it up,” Mr Joyce said. “Whether it’s volunteering with the local CWA, helping in the canteen at the local ag show, reading to the elderly at the nursing home, or responding to fires with the State Emergency Service, our volunteers play an important role in our communities. These grants can help pay for equipment at your junior sports club or for promotional items that increase participation to volunteer, as well as reimburse fuel costs and expenses associated with transport, training and accreditation,” Mr Joyce said.

“For further information regarding the Volunteer Grants Program please reach out to my Office 02 6761 3080 or download the expressions of interest form from my website at www.barnabyjoyce.com.au .

Please note Expressions of Interest close Friday 27 March 2026.

About the grant program.

The Volunteer Grants Program (the Program) supports the work of community organisations that rely on volunteers by removing barriers to volunteering and promoting awareness of volunteering opportunities. The Program aligns with the objectives of the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-20334 in particular the objectives to focus on the volunteer experience (1.1); make volunteering inclusive and accessible (1.2); and recognise the inherent value of volunteering (2.3). Annual funding of $10 million for the Program is held within Program 2.1.6: Volunteering and Community Connectedness in Outcome 2. The funding for this opportunity will be available in the 2026–27 financial year.

The objectives of the program are to:

• help not-for-profit community organisations to support the efforts of Australia’s volunteers
• encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering.

The intended outcome of the program is to:

• strengthen community functioning by supporting and increasing participation in volunteering.