Organisation eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

To apply, your organisation must meet all the criteria in the table below.

If you are an unincorporated association or community organisation without an ABN, you can apply using an auspice but specific rules apply. See “What is an auspice arrangement” for more information.

Organisation eligibility criteria	Requirements
Multicultural community organisation	Your organisation must be a multicultural community organisation. A Multicultural community organisation is an organisation that is governed, managed, and primarily led by members of a specific multicultural ancestry, cultural, language, or faith community. Its primary purpose is to support, represent, and respond to the needs, interests, customs, traditions, and wellbeing of people from that particular multicultural community. The organisation may deliver activities, services, programs, advocacy, or community connections that strengthen and preserve the cultural, linguistic, religious, or social identity of its members. DPC will validate this by checking each applicant organisation’s incorporation documents and an on-line search for information about the applicant organisation.
Time Established	Your organisation must have been operating/in existence for at least six months before 16 September 2026. DPC will validate this by checking your organisation’s Australian Business Number (ABN) and incorporation were both registered before 16 March 2026.
Applicant Organisation Name	Your application must use the same organisation name as your incorporated legal entity name.
Incorporated legal entity	Your organisation must be an incorporated legal entity under one of the following: the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) an Act of Parliament. You must provide a copy of the Act with your application.
Current Australian Business Number (ABN)	Your organisation must have a current ABN matching the organisation’s name in your application. To check if your organisation has a current ABN, go to ABN Lookup.
Not-for-profit	Your organisation must be a not-for-profit demonstrated under one of the following: registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) registered as an incorporated association with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) registered as a company limited by guarantee with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission related solely to supporting a specific multicultural community in Victoria. Social enterprises must attach their constitution, rules, or governance documents with their application. Note: Incorporated associations are considered not-for-profit entities.
Victorian Government Values Statement	Your organisation must agree that employees, contractors, and volunteers will uphold and promote the Victorian Government Value Statement (which includes the Commitment to Social Cohesion) while delivering your project.
Not be the responsibility of another ministerial portfolio	Your organisation must not be the responsibility of another state or commonwealth ministerial portfolio (such as but not limited to health, care / NDIS, education, sport and recreation)
No overdue grant requirements with the department	Your organisation must be up-to-date with all requirements for grants your organisation currently has from Multicultural Affairs. To check if your organisation is up to date with grant reporting requirements email the Multicultural Affairs Infrastructure and Strategic Projects team: multicultural.infrastructure@dpc.vic.gov.au.

Who is not eligible to apply for a grant?

Organisations that are not eligible to apply include:

any organisation which is not a Multicultural community organisation
unincorporated legal entities (unless applying with an eligible auspice)
individuals and sole traders
organisations that are commercial enterprises or set up to make a profit (except social enterprises)
public or private companies limited by shares (unless a foundational document can prove not-for-profit status)
registered pre-, primary and secondary schools – (NB: community language schools are eligible.)
Local Government Authorities (LGAs) – unless acting as an auspice
political organisations
organisations that are primarily service providers (such as health, aged care or NDIS providers)
organisations delivering activities that are the responsibility of another Victorian Government portfolio or department
organisations that have not complied with the terms and conditions of previous grants.

Auspice arrangement

An auspice arrangement helps your organisation apply for a grant if you are not incorporated or do not have an ABN.
To do this, you need an eligible organisation (called an auspice organisation) that agrees to support your organisation.
Your organisation is the grant recipient, and the auspice organisation manages the grant funding and responsibilities outlined in the agreement. A letter of support from the auspice organisation must be included with your application.
Auspice organisations must meet the full Organisation eligibility requirements of the Program.
If your application is successful, the auspice organisation:
- signs the funding agreement (Victorian Common Funding Agreement) on your behalf
- communicates with the department on your behalf on your behalf
- takes legal and financial responsibility for the grant on your behalf
- receives and distributes the grant money on your behalf
- makes sure your venue hires and activities happen as described in your application and Hire Activities Plan
- submits progress and final reports and financial documents on time.

Check if your organisation can apply

- 1. Are you a not-for-profit (NFP)?
  - Yes: Proceed to Question 3.
  - No: Proceed to Question 2.
- 2. Are you a social enterprise?
  - Yes: Proceed to Question 3.
  - No: Not eligible to apply.
- 3. Was your organisation incorporated before 15 March 2026?
  - Yes: Proceed to Question 4.
  - No: Proceed to Question 5.
- 4. Do you have an ABN?
  - Yes: Proceed to Question 6.
  - No: Proceed to Question 5.
- 5. Do you have an auspice?
  - Yes: Proceed to Question 6.
  - No: Not eligible to apply.
- 6. Are your reports up to date?
  - Yes: Eligible to apply.
  - No: Not eligible to apply.
Download 'Check if your organisation can apply'

Updated 17 September 2026