Up to $200,000 to support eligible organisations, including community groups, schools, councils, research institutions and Traditional Owners, to protect and enhance Port Phillip Bay’s environment.
On this page you will find
What is the Port Phillip Bay Fund (PPBF)?
The Victorian Government has opened applications for the 2025 Port Phillip Bay Fund (PPBF), providing $2.16 million in total funding to support projects that protect and enhance the health of Port Phillip Bay.
Established in 2016, the program has already funded 215 projects, contributing significantly to environmental stewardship, habitat restoration, and community engagement. In 2025, the Fund will focus on on-ground protection and improvement of foreshore and coastal sensitive areas, as well as marine environments.
This round of funding also supports the renewal of the Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan (EMP), ensuring future investments reflect the Bay’s ecological and socio-economic priorities.
Port Phillip Bay Fund level of support
Total funding available is $2.16 million. Two funding streams are available:
- Stream 1 – offers grants of up to $20,000 for projects of up to 14 months
- Stream 2 – provides up to $200,000 for larger projects of up to 26 months.
Co-contribution
- Applicants must provide a 1:1 matched in-kind contribution towards their project.
Public liability insurance of at least $10 million is mandatory, and sufficient coverage must be in place to protect volunteers.
Port Phillip Bay Fund important dates
- Applications close: 3:30 pm, Wednesday, 12 November 2025
- Applicants notified: January–February 2026
- Projects commence: From January–February 2026
- Register your interest
Port Phillip Bay Fund objectives
The 2025 Port Phillip Bay Fund aims to:
- Protect and enhance the health and resilience of Port Phillip Bay’s marine and coastal environments.
- Support on-ground environmental activities, including restoration of foreshore and coastal habitats and enhancement of marine ecosystems.
- Strengthen community stewardship by involving local groups, schools, Traditional Owners, and research institutions in practical projects.
- Ensure alignment with key strategies, including Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, the Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan, and Traditional Owner Country Plans.
- Invest in the renewal of the Port Phillip Bay Environmental Management Plan to guide future funding priorities beyond 2027–28.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Port Phillip Bay Fund support
Funding priorities include:
- On-ground environmental activities such as:
- Restoration of foreshore and coastal habitats
- Enhancement of marine environments
- Projects that:
- Involve local community participation
- Align with Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, the Port Phillip Bay EMP, and Traditional Owner Country Plans
- Have the required approvals in place (or can provide evidence of support from landowners/managers)
Allowable expenditure includes:
- Materials (plants, fencing, tree guards)
- Site preparation (equipment hire, fencing for revegetation)
- Personal protective equipment
- Contractors and technical specialists
- Communication and citizen science monitoring
- Training and education supporting project activities
- Project management and coordination (capped at 15% of the budget)
- Promotional and advertising costs directly related to funded activities
Ineligible Expenditures
The following activities will not be funded:
- Waste and recycling activities (domestic, business, or market waste)
- Activities intended as in-kind contributions to another funded project
- Actions that are part of a land manager’s legal duty of care or responsibilities
Other Port Phillip Bay Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Port Phillip Bay Fund support
Applicants must be based within Port Phillip Bay or within 5 km of the Bay’s high-tide mark. Eligible organisations include:
- Environmental organisations (e.g. Coastcare, Landcare, Friends groups)
- Public land committees of management
- Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs)
- Schools, scouts, youth clubs, Rotary
- Local government authorities
- State government agencies
- Research institutions or universities
Applicants must also:
- Be an incorporated body, cooperative, or association
- Be financially solvent
- Hold public liability insurance of at least $10 million
Who Cannot Apply
- Commonwealth government agencies
- Private or commercial organisations (as sole applicants)
- Non-environmental organisations without a proven track record in environmental works
- Sole traders or individuals
- Previous recipients who failed to comply with PPBF or DEECA funding agreements
Port Phillip Bay Fund assessment criteria
Applications will first be checked for eligibility, then assessed against weighted criteria.
Stream 1 – Up to $20,000
1. Project Design (60%)
- Alignment with PPBF priorities
- Description of site conditions and issues
- Clear plan to address issues with sound methodology
- Defined delivery activities, milestones, and outputs (e.g. hectares revegetated)
2. Organisation Capability and Capacity (20%)
- Demonstrated expertise or track record in similar projects
- Resources (people and materials) available
- Evidence of permits and land manager support
3. Financial and Risk Analysis (20%)
- Appropriate budget and value for money
- Matching 1:1 contribution confirmed
- Project risk analysis completed
Stream 2 – Up to $200,000
1. Project Design (60%)
- Alignment with PPBF priorities
- Description of site issues with supporting evidence
- Sound methodology to address problems
- Contribution to enhancing the Bay’s health
- Defined delivery activities, milestones, and outputs
2. Organisation Capability and Capacity (15%)
- Demonstrated expertise and resources
- Consideration of timeframes for approvals
- Project plan prepared if successful
3. Partnership with Traditional Owners (10%)
- Evidence of consultation and inclusion in decision-making
- Communication strategy with Traditional Owners
- Strengthening partnerships and securing letters of support
4. Financial and Risk Analysis (15%)
- Comprehensive budget (including Traditional Owner activities)
- Matching 1:1 contribution confirmed
- Detailed risk analysis
- Value for money demonstrated
How do I get the Port Phillip Bay Fund?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To be competitive, applicants should demonstrate that they:
- Align with the Fund’s environmental priorities
- Have secured matching in-kind funding (1:1 contribution)
- Provide strong evidence of project need and impact
- Have required permits and land manager approvals
- Involve local communities and strengthen partnerships with Traditional Owners
- Can deliver the project within the required timeframe and budget
- Provide a clear risk analysis and demonstrate value for money
Information to prepare for the Port Phillip Bay Fund application
Applicants must provide the following:
- Completed PPBF budget and risk template
- Public liability insurance certificate of currency
- Letters or emails of commitment from each project partner
- Polygon shapefile and PDF map of proposed project area (generated in Mapshare)
- Supporting plans or evidence for project activities
- Quotes for large expenditure items ($2,000 or more)
- Written consent from public land managers
- Approvals or permits from councils or relevant authorities
Applying for the Port Phillip Bay Fund
Applications must be submitted through the Grants Online portal
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Port Phillip Bay Fund resources
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