Grants up to $1 million to support innovative heritage preservation projects that engage owners, custodians and local communities in recognising, valuing and caring for heritage.
Current status of program
CLOSED
Only the Emergency Works Grants stream is currently available.
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the NSW Heritage Grant Program (NSWHGP)?
The NSW Heritage Grant Program (NSWHGP) funds owners and custodians in the preservation and promotion of items listed on the NSW State Heritage Register (SHR) and aims to support, promote and realise the value of heritage in boosting community engagement, cultural understanding and local economies.
The program provides grants for innovative projects that bring heritage to life, generating positive experiences that engage local communities, including younger generations, in celebrating and understanding heritage and culture.
NSW Heritage Grant Program – Grant Streams
The grant program is composed of the following six grant streams:
1. Activating State heritage grant – closed
A single grant of up to $1 million in matched funding for a heritage project that engages the local community and contributes to community wellbeing, economic activity and cultural vibrancy in the local area.
Applications are assessed via a three-stage process:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) – closing 5 October 2022
- Application (by invitation) – closing 17 November 2022
- PitchFest (by invitation) – held on 30 November 2022
You are eligible to apply for this grant if you:
- are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the SHR in NSW and have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the SHR listed item
- agree to provide matched funding for the project
- are based in NSW
This is a new grant stream offered under the program.
See the grant guidelines for full details and requirements.
2. Aboriginal cultural heritage grants – closed
Grants to support the preservation and maintenance of Aboriginal cultural heritage, in the form of a heritage management document (grants of up to $30,000) or heritage works (grants of up to $80,000).
Applications close on 2 December 2022.
You are eligible to apply for this grant if you:
- are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an Aboriginal Place declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the declared Aboriginal Place
- are based in NSW
See the grant guidelines for full details and requirements.
3. Caring for State heritage grants – closed
Grants for innovative ideas that will increase public access to SHR items and places, in the form of a heritage management document (grants of up to $30,000 in matched funding) or heritage works (grants of up to $150,000 in matched funding).
Applications close on 2 December 2022.
You are eligible to apply for this grant if you:
- are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the SHR in NSW and have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the SHR listed item
- agree to provide matched funding for the project
- are based in NSW
See the grant guidelines for full details and requirements.
4. Community heritage grants – closed
Grants of up to $50,000 for innovative ideas that use modern technology to engage communities, including younger generations, in heritage stories and places that help them understand, celebrate and promote heritage and culture.
Applications close on 2 December 2022.
You are eligible to apply for this grant if you:
- are based in NSW
- have an ABN
See the grant guidelines for full details and requirements.
5. Local government heritage grants – closed
Grants of up to $25,000 for local councils to develop innovative ideas that help identify, conserve and promote heritage in their area.
Applications close on 2 December 2022.
Only NSW local councils are eligible to apply for this grant, with a limit of one application per council.
See the grant guidelines for full details and requirements.
6. Emergency works grants – open all year around
The Emergency works grants are open all year round to eligible applicants and subject to available funding.
These grants support the protection or repairs to declared Aboriginal Places, items listed on the State Heritage Register, or items with a current interim heritage order that have been damaged by unexpected events (such as an extreme storm or accident) and where your insurance does not cover this cost.
Check the State Heritage Inventory to confirm the heritage listing of the item needing emergency works. Locally listed heritage items are not eligible for this funding.
Read the guidelines for eligible works: Emergency Works Grants 2023–25 Funding Guidelines
Applying for NSWHGP
Applications for all streams are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
NSWHGP resources
Scroll down for examples of successful grants from the previous round (2019-2021).
How do I get NSWHGP?
You should read and understand the guidelines to ensure you are eligible for funding and that your heritage item is listed on the State Heritage Register or your Aboriginal Place is declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined in the relevant guidelines will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- an innovative project that will engage a broad audience, including younger generations
- an inclusive and accessible project that will encourage the participation of your local community, broaden their heritage experiences and understanding, and benefit your local economy
- a sound and realistic project plan
- the financial resources and necessary expertise to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline
I need help applying for grants
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Examples of successful grants from the previous round
Aboriginal cultural heritage grants
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Albury City Council | Mungabareena Aboriginal Place Management Plan Implementation | $70,000 |
| Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council | Jali LALC Protection, Promotion and Preservation of Aboriginal Site of Significance | $35,000 |
| NAISDA Dance College | Community Engagement Program 2019 in NAISDA Dancing (Bungul) Ground and Living Learning Space | $48,000 |
Caring for State heritage grants
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Lucy East | The Malachi – A State Heritage renewal project in the heart of Oberon NSW Video (YouTube) | $70,000 |
| Fivedale Pty Limited | Scone Civic Theatre | $100,000 |
| Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc. | Repairs and Structural Remediation to Port Macquarie Museum | $20,000 |
| Zig Zag Railway Co-op LTD | The Preservation of Stonework on the Great Zig Zag | $150,000 |
Community heritage grants
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Broken Hill Productions | United We Stand: Strikes, Solidarity & Scabs in Broken Hill | $50,000 |
| Milparinka Heritage and Tourism Association Inc | Albert Goldfields Mining Heritage Interpretation and Interactivity Project | $50,000 |
| The Project Zone Pty Ltd | History Here 2019 Video (YouTube) | $50,000 |
Local government heritage studies
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Blue Mountains City Council | Ngurra (Country) is everything – managing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage through Traditional Owners | $39,000 |
| Northern Beaches Council | Northern Beaches Modern Architecture Heritage Study | $40,000 |
| Port Macquarie Hastings Council | Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study | $30,000 |
