Up to $8 million to support the construction, expansion and improvement of health infrastructure that delivers culturally primary healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
On this page you will find
What is the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program (CTG MCW)?
The Closing the Gap Major Capital Works (CTG MCW) Program – Round 3 is an Australian Government initiative that provides capital funding to strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) sector through new and upgraded health infrastructure.
The program aims to improve access to culturally appropriate primary healthcare by funding the construction, expansion and refurbishment of health clinics and associated health staff accommodation in eligible locations.
Funding is available through two streams:
- Stream 1 – New infrastructure projects.
- Stream 2 – Top-up funding for eligible organisations that previously received funding under GO5504 or GO6522 and are experiencing genuine construction cost escalation.
Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program level of support
Funding amount
- Up to $180 million available across the program.
- Grants are generally expected to range from $500,000 to $8 million.
- Projects requesting more than $15 million are unlikely to be funded.
- Funding may be less than the amount requested, depending on project merit and available funding.
Co-contribution
- Co-contribution is not mandatory.
- Applicants are encouraged to contribute funding where possible.
- Co-contributions may come from organisational reserves.
- Co-contributions may come from state, territory or local governments.
- Co-contributions may come from philanthropic organisations.
- Any co-contribution should be clearly explained within the application as part of the value for money assessment.
Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program important dates
- Applications close: 7 September 2026 at 2:00 pm (ACT time)
- Expected project commencement: Early 2027
- Project completion deadline: 30 June 2028
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program objectives
The program aims to:
- Strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia.
- Improve access to culturally appropriate primary healthcare.
- Deliver safe, accessible and fit-for-purpose health infrastructure.
- Support the construction, expansion and refurbishment of health clinics.
- Improve recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals through suitable staff accommodation.
- Build the capability of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sector.
- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led planning and governance.
- Address deteriorating, inadequate or non-existent health infrastructure.
- Improve long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Support implementation of Priority Reform 2 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program support
Eligible projects may include:
- Construction of new health clinics.
- Purchase of prefabricated or modular buildings.
- Extensions to existing health clinics.
- Refurbishment of existing health clinics.
- Internal fit-outs of health facilities.
- Purchase of vacant freehold land as part of a larger construction project.
- Emergency repairs to existing health facilities.
- Urgent maintenance works.
- Purchase of furniture and fittings.
- Professional construction project management services.
- Community consultation activities.
- Community co-design activities.
- Governance and procurement activities directly related to the project.
- Connection of essential services including electricity, water and sewerage.
- Works supporting existing Commonwealth-funded capital projects.
- Purchase and installation of renewable energy systems.
- Purchase and installation of telecommunications infrastructure to improve telehealth services.
- Construction or refurbishment of health staff accommodation in Modified Monash Model (MMM) 5–7 locations only.
Ineligible expenditure
Funding cannot be used for:
- Health staff accommodation in MMM1–MMM4 locations.
- Retrospective funding for projects already contracted, commenced or completed (excluding approved Stream 2 cost escalation).
- Purchase of buildings or land where leasing is a practical alternative.
- Infrastructure that primarily supports disability services.
- Infrastructure that primarily supports alcohol and other drug services.
- Infrastructure that primarily supports domestic violence shelters.
- Infrastructure that primarily supports residential rehabilitation centres.
- Infrastructure that primarily supports aged care services unless separately co-funded.
- Construction of large multipurpose hubs.
- Ongoing operating costs.
- Salaries and wages.
- Rent.
- Utilities.
- Insurance.
- Routine maintenance costs.
- Commercial leasing activities such as cafés, gyms, childcare centres or pharmacies.
- Software subscriptions or licence fees.
- Laptops and portable mobile devices.
- Medical equipment used to deliver clinical services, including MRI machines, dental chairs and audiology equipment.
- Mobile medical units or vehicles.
- Motor vehicles.
- Domestic or international travel.
- Accommodation costs.
- Delivery of health services.
- Scoping studies.
- Costs associated with preparing the grant application.
- Payments relating to ransomware or cybercrime.
Other Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program support
Applicants must:
- Be an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).
- Currently deliver primary healthcare services.
- Be listed in Appendix A of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
- Be one of the following legal entity types:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation.
- Company.
- Incorporated Association.
- Cooperative.
- Unincorporated Association.
- Trustee of an eligible trust.
Eligible organisations may also:
- Apply on behalf of an eligible subsidiary organisation.
- Apply on behalf of an eligible auspiced organisation.
- Be represented by an eligible auspicing organisation.
For Stream 2, applicants must also:
- Meet all Stream 1 eligibility requirements.
- Have previously received funding under GO5504 or GO6522.
Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program assessment criteria
Applications are assessed through a targeted competitive process.
Eligible applications are assessed against the published assessment criteria and compared with other applications to determine which projects represent the strongest value for money.
Applications are scored on a five-point scale for each assessment criterion:
- 5 – Excellent: Exceeds expectations across all aspects of the criterion.
- 4 – Good: Addresses all or most requirements to a high standard.
- 3 – Average: Meets most requirements to an acceptable standard.
- 2 – Poor: Addresses only some requirements.
- 1 – Does Not Meet Criterion: Provides insufficient information or does not address the criterion.
For Stream 1, the maximum score is 15 points.
For Stream 2, the maximum score is 10 points.
Applicants must achieve at least an Average (3/5) for every assessment criterion to be considered for funding.
Stream 1 – Assessment Criterion 1: Describe the Capital Works Project
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A clear description of the proposed capital works project.
- The scope of construction, refurbishment or fit-out activities.
- Details of any preliminary design or planning work completed.
- The location of the proposed project.
- A description of the project site.
- Evidence of land or building tenure where available.
- The proposed process for securing tenure if not yet obtained.
- Details of the existing facility if replacement infrastructure is proposed.
- Reasons why replacement infrastructure is required.
- An assessment of the local property or rental market where relevant.
- Why the proposed infrastructure solution represents the most appropriate option.
Stream 1 – Assessment Criterion 2: Demonstrate Need
Applicants should demonstrate:
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population that will benefit.
- The level of demand for primary healthcare services.
- Evidence of community consultation.
- Support from the organisation’s Board or governing body.
- Current challenges attracting and retaining healthcare professionals where staff accommodation is proposed.
- Existing infrastructure limitations.
- Safety concerns affecting current facilities.
- Accessibility issues affecting patients or staff.
- Disaster preparedness considerations where relevant.
- The impact inadequate infrastructure has on clinical accreditation.
- The impact inadequate infrastructure has on workplace health and safety.
- How the project will improve access to culturally appropriate primary healthcare.
- How the project will improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Stream 1 – Assessment Criterion 3: Efficient and Economical Use of Grant Funds
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong value for money.
- Efficient use of Commonwealth funding.
- High-quality project outcomes.
- Cost-effective project delivery.
- Ethical financial management.
- Why grant funding is essential for the project to proceed.
- Any financial co-contributions.
- Any additional government or philanthropic funding.
- Organisational capacity to deliver the project.
- Availability of qualified staff and resources.
- Previous experience managing government funding where applicable.
- A strong record of meeting grant reporting and acquittal requirements.
Applicants must also submit a completed Indicative Activity Budget.
Stream 2 – Assessment Criterion 1: Efficient and Economical Use of Government Funds
Applicants should demonstrate:
- The reasons for construction cost escalation.
- The circumstances leading to increased project costs.
- Design review activities undertaken.
- Cost engineering measures implemented.
- Efforts made to remain within the original budget.
- Alternative funding sources explored.
- Outcomes of funding discussions with other organisations.
- The impact on the project if additional funding is not approved.
Stream 2 – Assessment Criterion 2: Organisational Capacity and Capability
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience delivering capital infrastructure projects.
- Organisational capability to complete the project.
- Appropriate governance arrangements.
- Project delivery methodology.
- Existing infrastructure supporting project delivery.
- Established partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
- Appropriate risk management processes.
- Financial capacity to manage the project.
- Any available co-contributions.
- Justification for not using organisational cash reserves where applicable.
How do I get the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program support?
To maximise your chances of securing funding, applicants should demonstrate:
- A project that aligns with the program objectives.
- Strong evidence of community need.
- Meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community consultation.
- Board or governance support for the project.
- A clearly defined and well-planned capital works project.
- Secure land tenure or a credible pathway to obtaining tenure.
- Strong value for money.
- Realistic project costs supported by evidence.
- Organisational capability to successfully deliver the project.
- Appropriate governance and financial management systems.
- Sufficient staffing and project management resources.
- Compliance with all eligibility requirements.
- A project that improves access to culturally appropriate primary healthcare.
- Measurable benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Complete and well-supported application documentation.
Information to prepare for the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program support
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed online application form.
- Bank verification documentation.
- Indicative Activity Budget (Stream 1 only).
- Evidence of land or building tenure where applicable.
- Details of proposed tenure arrangements where tenure has not been secured.
- Letter of in-principle support from the relevant council or land authority where applicable.
- Architectural drawings, concept plans or floor plans where available.
- Building approvals where available.
- Project cost estimates and quotations.
- Evidence of community consultation.
- Board approval or governance endorsement.
- Organisational financial information.
- Details of any co-contributions.
- Information demonstrating organisational capability.
- Supporting documentation addressing each assessment criterion.
Applying for the Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program support
Applications must be submitted online using the Online Application Form available through the Grant Opportunity Documents on GrantConnect.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Closing the Gap Major Capital Works Program 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 4 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 Writing
Our expert writers craft persuasive applications that showcase your strengths and align seamlessly with the funder’s goals and criteria. - 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.
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.
