Grants up to $400,000 to improve conservation, preservation and access to National Heritage listed places and enrich the public’s appreciation and engagement with these places.
On this page you will find
What is the Australian Heritage Grants Program?
Australian Heritage Grants Round 8 (2025–26) provides up to $5.347 million to support projects that conserve, protect, and promote places on the National Heritage List.
Funding is open to owners of National Heritage Listed sites or eligible organisations with a current letter of support from the site owner(s).
The program aims to safeguard Australia’s natural, historic, and Indigenous heritage while enhancing the management and public appreciation of these nationally significant places.
Australian Heritage Grants level of support
Grant
- Total funding available: $5.347 million (over three years)
- Minimum funding amount: $25,000
- Maximum funding amount: $400,000
Co-contribution
- Applicants must contribute at least 20% of total eligible project costs (in cash or in-kind)
- The 20% co-contribution cannot come from other Commonwealth grants, though state, territory, or local government funding can be used
- In exceptional cases (e.g. natural disasters or financial hardship), applicants may request an exemption from this requirement
- Applicants are also responsible for all ineligible project costs
Australian Heritage Grants important dates
- Applications close: 5 December 2025, 5:00 pm (ACT local time)
- Earliest project start: February 2026
- Project completion: 31 March 2028
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Australian Heritage Grants objectives
The key objectives of the program are to:
- Maintain, protect, conserve, and/or improve management and access to National Heritage-listed places.
- Improve engagement and public awareness of the National Heritage Values for which places are listed.
- Strengthen recognition, management, and conservation practices at listed heritage places.
- Foster long-term preservation of natural, Indigenous, and historic heritage of national importance.
Projects eligible for Australian Heritage Grants support
Eligible projects must occur at one or more of the listed National Heritage sites and may include:
- Maintenance, protection, or conservation of National Heritage Values.
- Repairs to essential infrastructure damaged by severe weather (if not insured).
- Development, implementation, or update of heritage management plans.
- Activities that improve engagement with or awareness of the site’s heritage significance.
- Initiatives that manage access to heritage places while protecting their values.
- Creation of innovative ways to interpret or present heritage values (e.g. digital tours, virtual reality experiences).
- Improvements to accessibility, such as ramps, tactile guides, or accessible interpretation materials.
- Education programs targeted at specific community groups.
- Research activities related to National Heritage Values.
Grant funds cannot be used for:
- Ongoing administrative or operational costs.
- Fees for regulatory approvals or permits.
- Activities already funded by other sources.
- Tourism developments or new commercial infrastructure.
- Retrospective funding or works already underway.
- Roadworks, helipads, or unrelated amenities (unless directly linked to accessibility).
- Purchase or lease of land or property.
- Food outlets or unrelated facilities.
Other Australian Heritage Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Australian Heritage Grants support
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) (unless not entitled to one).
- Be either:
-
- The site owner of the listed place, or
- Have a current letter of support from the site owner.
Eligible entity types include:
- Australian state or territory government agency or body.
- Local government agency or body.
- Commonwealth Corporate Entity.
- Incorporated Australian entity (including Indigenous land management organisations).
- Registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land council.
- Partnership.
- Publicly funded research organisation (PFRO).
- Incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
- Individual (must be 18 years or older).
Ineligible applicants include:
- Unincorporated associations or trusts (except via incorporated trustees).
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entities.
- Organisations not listed above.
- Entities on the National Redress Scheme non-participating list.
- Employers with 100+ employees not compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.
Australian Heritage Grants assessment criteria
Applications are assessed competitively and must achieve at least 60% for each criterion to be considered.
Criterion 1 – Project Alignment with Objectives (50 points)
Applicants must demonstrate how the project:
- Maintains, protects, or conserves National Heritage Values.
- Improves management or access to listed places.
- Enhances public engagement and awareness of heritage values.
- Aligns with existing or proposed heritage management plans, and national, regional, or local strategies.
- Contributes to DCCEEW’s Outcome 2: conservation and sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage.
Criterion 2 – Capacity, Capability, and Resources (30 points)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience in delivering similar heritage or conservation projects.
- A clear project plan, including milestones, budget, and risk management.
- A strategy for maintaining project outcomes beyond the grant period.
- Strength in governance and project delivery capability.
Criterion 3 – Impact of Grant Funding (20 points)
Applicants must:
- Justify the funding amount requested relative to the project’s outcomes.
- Demonstrate that the project would be unable to proceed without funding.
- Highlight the urgency and significance of the proposed work.
Additional considerations during moderation include:
- Urgency of activities.
- Geographical spread of projects.
- Employment, skills, and training outcomes.
- Contribution to management planning and climate impact mitigation.
- Whether the place has previously received Commonwealth funding.
How do I get the Australian Heritage Grants?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
To successfully receive funding, applicants should demonstrate that they:
- Fully meet all eligibility requirements.
- Clearly align their project with program objectives and assessment criteria.
- Have the capacity and resources to deliver the project effectively.
- Provide a comprehensive project plan with a clear budget, risk management, and timeline.
- Supply a letter of support from the site owner (if applicable).
- Show evidence of co-contribution capacity (minimum 20%) or submit a justified exemption request.
- Have obtained or will obtain all required permits or licences.
- Comply with relevant heritage, safety, and environmental legislation.
- Agree to meet reporting, monitoring, and acknowledgement requirements if successful.
Information to prepare for the Australian Heritage Grants application
Before applying, gather the following documents and evidence:
- Project Plan (including objectives, outcomes, milestones, budget, and risk management).
- Letter of support from the site owner or project partners.
- Trust deed or partnership agreement (if applicable).
- Evidence of financial capacity (e.g. accountant declaration).
- Heritage management plan or relevant strategy excerpts (if applicable).
- Proof of identity (for individuals).
Applying for the Australian Heritage Grants
Applications must be submitted via the official online portal: business.gov.au/AHG8.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Australian Heritage Grants resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Whenever You’re Ready, Here Are 7 Ways We Can Help You
- Grant Application Readiness
Assess your current position, identify gaps, and prepare your organisation to meet the stringent requirements of competitive grant programs. - Grant Application Strategy
Pinpoint the right grants, align your projects with funding priorities, and establish a roadmap that significantly boosts your chances of success. - Grant Application Search
Let us do the heavy lifting to uncover the most relevant and high-value grant opportunities tailored to your business objectives. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert writers craft persuasive applications that showcase your strengths and align seamlessly with the funder’s goals and criteria. - Grant Application Review
Receive detailed, strategic feedback to sharpen your application, address potential weaknesses, and ensure maximum alignment with assessment benchmarks. - Grant Application Management
End-to-end oversight of your grant journey — from planning and writing to submission and reporting — so you can stay focused on running your business. - Grant Application Courses
Access self-paced online training to build your internal capability and develop the skills needed to navigate and succeed in the grant landscape.
Ready to get started?
Not Ready to Enquire Yet?
We understand that winning grants takes time—something many business owners and directors don’t have. That’s why we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application.
Explore our Insights page, or our Podcasts page, where you’ll find expert advice, actionable tips, and time-saving strategies to help you get grant-ready.
Alternatively, check out some of the Clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
