Grants up to $200,000 to support projects and activities that improve the health, social wellbeing, independence and quality of life of veterans and their families.
On this page you will find
What is the Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG)?
The Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) Program 2026–27 provides funding for projects and activities that support the health, social wellbeing, independence and quality of life of veterans and their families.
The program is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs through the Community Grants Hub and is delivered as a targeted competitive grant opportunity.
The Australian Government has announced up to $3.744 million, GST exclusive, for the 2026–27 funding round.
Funding is available through two streams:
- Stream A – Small Grants: up to $50,000
- Stream B – Large Grants: $50,001 to $200,000
Stream A supports practical, local, community-based, small-scale projects and activities that provide safe and accessible environments, improve social connection and encourage positive engagement.
Stream B supports larger projects and activities that provide practical wellbeing support and deliver broad-scale benefits to veterans and their families in the wider community.
The maximum grant period is 12 months from the start date of the grant agreement.
Veteran Wellbeing Grants level of support
The Australian Government has made up to $3.744 million, GST exclusive, available for the 2026–27 round.
Stream A – Small Grants
- Grant amount: up to $50,000
- There is no minimum total project value
- Co-contributions are not required
- If financial or in-kind co-contributions are included, written confirmation from contributing parties must be provided
Stream B – Large Grants
- Grant amount: $50,001 to $200,000
- Financial and/or in-kind co-contributions are mandatory
- Written confirmation must be provided for all financial or in-kind co-contributions and any conditions associated with them
- Applications that cannot demonstrate a financial or in-kind co-contribution will not be assessed or recommended for funding
There is no set proportion of the total program funding allocated to either stream.
Applicants may be offered partial funding where the project can remain viable at a reduced scope and still achieve the required program outcomes.
Applicants should identify the minimum funding amount required for the project to proceed and demonstrate how the project could remain viable if partial funding is offered.
Veteran Wellbeing Grants important dates
- Applications close: 9:00 pm AEDT on 10 November 2026
- Questions should be submitted by: 5:00 pm AEDT on 3 November 2026
- Assessment of applications: within 11 weeks of the closing date
- Approval of outcomes: within 16 weeks of the closing date
- Notification to applicants: within 17 weeks of the closing date
- Negotiation and award of grant agreements: within 20 weeks of the closing date
- Earliest anticipated start date: May 2027
- Maximum grant period: 12 months
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Veteran Wellbeing Grants objectives
The objectives of the VWG Program are to:
- maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community by funding activities and projects that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing
- deliver activities and projects not already provided through Australian, state, territory or local government funding, helping build future community capacity
- expand existing activities and projects into new regions within Australia or develop new activities and projects that will be delivered in more than one location
- raise awareness of important issues faced by the veteran community
The program aims to support projects that:
- are sustainable for the veteran community beyond the grant-funded period
- increase opportunities for the veteran community to participate in social and community activities, improve health behaviours or support healthy places
- develop well-researched and tailored activities and projects, particularly for vulnerable veterans
- increase collaboration between organisations and make use of existing expertise for the benefit of the veteran community
- increase awareness of veterans’ issues and relevant activities and projects within the veteran community
Particular consideration may be given to activities supporting vulnerable cohorts, including veterans and families at risk of poor mental health, veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, women veterans, younger veterans, veterans transitioning from the Australian Defence Force and First Nations veterans.
Activities and projects eligible for Veteran Wellbeing Grants support
Stream A – Small Grants
Stream A supports practical, small-scale, community-based projects and activities that create safe and accessible environments for veterans and their families, encourage social connection and positive engagement, and improve wellbeing.
Stream B – Large Grants
Stream B supports larger wellbeing projects and activities that provide broad-scale benefits to veterans and their families in the wider community.
Eligible activities under Stream A and Stream B may include:
- purchasing small-value equipment of $5,000 or less, such as defibrillators
- minor building modifications that improve accessibility, such as ramps, pathways, grab rails or widened doorways
- small-scale repairs and maintenance to existing facilities
- minor kitchen refurbishments
- repairs or replacement of heating and cooling equipment
- repairs or upgrades to electrical wiring
- purchasing minor tools and equipment for activities such as woodworking, art, crafts or Men’s Sheds
- activities that increase social connection and reduce social isolation, including classes, peer support groups, excursions and day trips
- activities that improve accessibility and participation for vulnerable veteran cohorts
- non-clinical activities promoting healthy lifestyles, physical activity and mental wellbeing, including exercise classes, nutrition workshops, surfing, equine therapy, yoga, meditation and community gardens
Eligible expenditure may include:
- project staff and facilitator costs directly related to project delivery
- trainer, facilitator and presenter fees
- volunteer training and qualification expenses
- facility or venue hire
- digital project costs such as project landing pages or website design
- information technology hardware and software required for project delivery
- reasonable domestic travel and accommodation for project participants and facilitators
- ingredients required for cooking or nutrition programs
- safety equipment
- minor tools and equipment
- replacement operational equipment, furniture and appliances
- monitoring and evaluation costs for grants over $100,000, capped at 10% of the grant amount sought
Itemised quotes must be provided for all expenditure included in the application. Quotes should be current and quotes more than six months old at the opening of the round may not be accepted.
Equipment or assets purchased using grant funding with a value greater than $5,000 must generally be retained by the organisation for at least five years.
Minor building improvements and refurbishments
Eligible works may include:
- accessibility improvements such as ramps, pathways, grab rails and widened doorways
- upgrades to existing toilet and bathroom facilities
- external shading such as awnings and shade cloths
- repairs to existing roofs, flooring and electrical wiring
- refurbishment of existing kitchen facilities
Minor building works must be completed within the 12-month grant period.
New buildings, building extensions and concrete slabs are considered capital works and are not eligible.
Applications involving building improvements or refurbishments must include a quote from a qualified tradesperson or engineer detailing:
- an itemised breakdown of costs
- the proposed scope of works
- a realistic completion timeframe
- a plan or basic drawing
- whether council approval is required
Where council approval is required, approval should be supplied with the application or the quote should clearly identify the approval requirements and expected timeframe.
Ineligible expenditure
Grant funding cannot generally be used for:
- activities, projects or services already fully funded by another government source
- activities inconsistent with DVA health promotion objectives
- allied health services already fully funded or reimbursed by DVA
- general business-as-usual organisational expenses
- ongoing operational salaries and wages
- regular meetings or social gatherings
- ongoing electricity, telephone, internet, rent or general consumable costs
- new buildings or building extensions
- purchasing land or property
- installing lifts
- laying concrete slabs
- clinical services, medical treatments or research
- commemorative activities
- commercial ventures intended to generate profit
- conferences and expos
- cosmetic building works such as painting or landscaping that do not directly benefit veterans or form part of a larger eligible project
- services that are primarily the responsibility of other government bodies
- GST for organisations registered for GST
- overseas travel, international projects or overseas activities
- costs incurred before the application is submitted
- application preparation costs
- meals, catering, refreshments or alcohol
- assets that do not solely benefit the veteran community
- merchandise, gifts, prizes or other promotional items
- vehicle running and on-road costs including fuel, registration, insurance, stamp duty, warranties and delivery fees
- contingencies, miscellaneous expenses or unspecified costs
Projects previously funded by DVA or another government agency within the previous five years generally cannot receive repeat funding unless the new application demonstrates a significant enhancement.
Significant enhancements may include:
- extending the project to an additional veteran cohort
- expanding delivery into new geographical locations
- significantly increasing participant numbers
- substantially expanding an existing successful activity with additional services or components
Other Veteran Wellbeing Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Veteran Wellbeing Grants support
To apply, an organisation must be:
- an eligible Ex-Service Organisation applying in its own right
- an eligible Ex-Service Organisation acting as the lead organisation of a consortium, or
- a non-ESO acting as the lead organisation of a consortium that includes at least one eligible ESO
For the purposes of the VWG Program, an ESO must:
- have demonstrated direct links with the ex-service community
- have membership consisting primarily of current or former Australian Defence Force members and/or their families
- have clear referral pathways for veterans seeking wellbeing and/or compensation advocacy support
- not charge veterans or their families fees for providing claims or wellbeing services
- have objectives that aim to benefit veteran wellbeing
Eligible legal entity types include:
- Company
- Cooperative
- Incorporated Association
- Indigenous Corporation
- Statutory Entity
- Unincorporated Association – for grant activities of up to $10,000 only
All not-for-profit organisations applying for the program must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Unincorporated ESOs, including sub-branches, may apply in their own right for grants of up to $10,000.
For grant applications above $10,000, an unincorporated ESO may participate as a member of a consortium where the lead organisation is an eligible entity.
Consortium applications must nominate one lead organisation. The lead organisation must be an eligible entity, submit the application and be accountable to the Commonwealth for delivery and reporting.
A consortium application must include at least one eligible ESO.
Organisations that are not eligible
Ineligible entity types include:
- Corporate Commonwealth Entities
- Corporate State or Territory Entities
- International Entities
- Local Governments
- Non-corporate Commonwealth Entities
- Non-corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authorities
- Non-corporate State or Territory Entities
- Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authorities
- Partnerships
- individuals
- Sole Traders
- Unincorporated Associations applying for more than $10,000 unless participating through an eligible consortium arrangement
Organisations and consortium members may also be ineligible if they:
- charge fees for acting on behalf of veterans or their families in relation to claims or wellbeing services
- are subject to relevant National Redress Scheme restrictions
- are included on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency non-compliant list
- receive other government funding that completely covers the proposed project
- have overdue Department of Veterans’ Affairs grant acquittals at the closing date
Veteran Wellbeing Grants assessment criteria
Applications are competitively assessed against the criteria for the relevant funding stream.
Stream A – Small Grants
Stream A applications are assessed against three equally weighted criteria.
Criterion 1 – Project, need, target cohort and location
Applicants should explain:
- the project or activity they will deliver
- why the project is needed by the veteran community
- the evidence supporting that need
- how the project addresses an identified need, gap, risk or issue
- the veteran cohort being supported
- the number of veterans expected to participate or benefit
- where the project will be delivered
- why the proposed location has been selected
For renovation projects, applicants should also explain how the works will improve veteran access to or use of the facility.
Criterion 2 – Outcomes and project success
Applicants should describe:
- the outcomes they expect to achieve
- how those outcomes align with the VWG Program outcomes
- how project success will be measured
- what evidence will be collected to demonstrate success
Applicants must address at least two VWG Program outcomes.
For small-value equipment requests of $5,000 or less, at least one program outcome must be addressed.
Criterion 3 – Organisational capacity, partnerships, delivery and risks
Applicants should demonstrate:
- experience delivering similar projects or activities
- previous outcomes achieved
- knowledge of and links with the veteran community
- relevant networks and partnerships
- how those networks will support project delivery
- evidence that partners or networks support the project
- how the project will be delivered within 12 months
- key project delivery risks and how they will be managed
Information on project risks is not required for purchases of low-value equipment or assets worth $5,000 or less.
Each Stream A criterion is weighted equally at 33.33%.
Stream B – Large Grants
For applications requesting between $50,001 and $99,999, applicants must address Criteria 1, 2 and 3. Each criterion carries equal weighting of 33.33%.
For applications requesting $100,000 or more, applicants must also address Criterion 4. Each of the four criteria then carries equal weighting of 25%.
Criteria 1 to 3 cover:
- the proposed project or activity
- evidence of need
- target veteran cohorts
- project locations
- expected outcomes
- alignment with VWG Program outcomes
- measures of project success
- organisational experience and capacity
- veteran community links
- partnerships and networks
- project delivery
- project risks
Stream B applicants must address at least three VWG Program outcomes.
Criterion 4 – Performance measures and monitoring
This criterion applies only to Stream B applications requesting $100,000 or more.
Applicants must complete the prescribed performance measures and monitoring template and explain how they will achieve, measure and report against the mandatory targets.
Mandatory targets include:
- at least 75% of participants completing the whole activity
- feedback being sought and received from at least 50% of veteran participants, with 95% positive feedback
- at least 50% of veteran participants demonstrating improvements against program objectives
- less than 10% variance against forecast costs
Applicants must also include up to three additional measurable targets or goals specific to their project.
The official Criterion 4 template confirms these mandatory measures and requires applicants to explain how the measures will be achieved, monitored and reported.
How do I get the Veteran Wellbeing Grants?
Before applying, applicants should read the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, the relevant sample application form and the Questions and Answers published through GrantConnect.
Applicants should:
- confirm they satisfy the eligibility requirements
- determine whether Stream A or Stream B is appropriate
- develop a clearly defined project that aligns with the VWG objectives and outcomes
- demonstrate evidence of need within the veteran community
- clearly identify the target veteran cohort
- establish a realistic project budget and 12-month delivery plan
- obtain itemised quotes for proposed expenditure
- establish any required partnerships or consortium arrangements
- obtain confirmation of co-contributions where applicable
- prepare evidence of links with the veteran community
- address every question under the relevant assessment criteria
- prepare all mandatory supporting documentation
More than one application may be submitted under each stream, provided each application proposes a fundamentally different project or activity.
The same project cannot be submitted multiple times across funding streams or both independently and as part of a consortium.
Information to prepare for the Veteran Wellbeing Grants application
Applicants should prepare:
- organisation and legal entity details
- evidence supporting legal entity status where requested
- project description and objectives
- evidence demonstrating the need for the project
- details of the target veteran cohort
- expected participant numbers
- project location and reasons for selecting the location
- expected outcomes
- alignment with relevant VWG Program outcomes
- methods for measuring project success
- organisational experience delivering similar projects
- details of links with the veteran community
- partnership and network information
- a delivery plan covering the 12-month grant period
- project risks and mitigation strategies
- detailed project budget
- itemised quotes for all proposed expenditure
- bank account verification
- evidence of current public liability insurance where people are involved
- written confirmation of financial or in-kind co-contributions
- letters of support
- Letter of Declaration where applying as a consortium
- council approvals, property-owner consent and supporting documentation where applicable to building works
For Stream B applications requesting $100,000 or more, applicants must also prepare:
- the prescribed Performance Measures and Monitoring template
- mandatory and project-specific measurable targets
- details of how outcomes will be measured and reported
- either a detailed quote for external project evaluation costs, capped at 10% of the grant sought, or a plan explaining how the project evaluation will be conducted
Applying for the Veteran Wellbeing Grants
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Community Grants Hub using the correct online application form for the relevant stream.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Veteran Wellbeing 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.
Four Ways GrantHelper Helps Businesses Secure Government Funding
- Grant Funding Readiness
Assess your business’s current position, identify gaps, and ensure your project is properly aligned to pursue competitive government grant funding — so you can pursue funding with confidence. - Grant Strategy Session
Identify the right grant opportunities, evaluate your project against funding priorities, and map out a clear path to securing government funding — so you can target the best funding opportunities. - Grant Funding Accelerator
A tailored program where we prepare the key components of a compelling grant application — so you can stay focused on running your business while we build your submission step-by-step. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert GrantHelper develops clear, persuasive responses that present your project clearly and persuasively — so your application has the best chance of success.
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.
