Anzac Day Proceeds Fund

The program guidelines include further information about the objectives of the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund, eligibility and assessment criteria and activities that can and cannot be funded.

Download and read the program guidelines before you apply:

We prioritise projects that support the veteran community by funding wellbeing-related activities and projects that:

• target veterans who are:
  • women
  • First Nations
  • LGBTIQA+
  • from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD)
  • veterans with disability
  • veterans who have experienced negative impacts of service to their mental health
• focus on post-1990 Australian Defence Force operations
• can be sustained beyond grant funding
• create and expand collaborative partnerships.

Projects should:

• completed within 12 months of the signed agreement date
• include in-kind contributions, particularly from organisations with multiple or commercial revenue streams. We may look at higher contributions more favourably.

We will not fund applications for projects that:

• have already started
• start before November 2026
• you submit:
  • with incomplete documentation
  • with misleading information
  • after the closing date.

We may give applications from organisations that receive revenue from electronic gaming lower priority.

Funding available

Organisations can submit more than one application for separate commemorative services.

Please note the following:

• for state-wide organisations that deliver and support veteran welfare or wellbeing services across Victoria:
  • the total value of all Anzac Day Proceeds Fund applications in this round must not exceed $150,000 (excluding GST).
• for sub-branches or regional organisations that deliver services or support veterans in a specific area or region (not state-wide):
  • the total value of all Anzac Day Proceeds Fund applications in this round may not exceed $50,000 (excluding GST).
• previously funded applicants are not guaranteed to receive funding in this or future grant rounds. They are not guaranteed to receive the same amount of funding.
• we may offer you a smaller funding amount than applied for and we may ask for a revised project plan and budget.

Activity period

This grant round supports activities that take place from 1 January to 31 December 2027. Please note:

• you need to complete your project within 12 months of the project approval date
• you cannot apply for funding if your project starts before 1 January 2027.
  

To be eligible to apply for funding through the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund:

• Your application must be submitted by an eligible organisation
• Your organisation must not have outstanding reports from previous or current grants funded via the department
• You must be seeking funding for an eligible activity

Organisation eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a grant your organisation must be an incorporated not-for-profit community organisation (or other form of legal entity) and have:

• a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• no outstanding final reports from previous state government funded grants.

Organisations that do not meet these criteria are not eligible to apply for funding but might consider partnering with an eligible organisation under an auspice arrangement. Information on auspice arrangements is provided in the next section.

If you do not have an ABN, you must provide written advice from the Australian Taxation Office that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment.

Your organisation must also be:

• a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), or
• an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001(Cth) or equivalent state legislation.

If your organisation is unincorporated, you can arrange for an incorporated organisation to act as an auspice on your behalf.

Or, unincorporated organisations are eligible if they are:

• a government entity, for example a local council
• a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission that specifically relates to the welfare and wellbeing of veterans. Social enterprises must attach their constitution with their application.

A social enterprise is an organisation that has an economic, social, cultural or environmental mission consistent with a public or community benefit; and operates by one of the following impact models:

• employment-generating – creates employment and training opportunities for marginalised people
• community need – delivers accessible products and services to meet community needs that are not met by the market
• profit redistribution – donates at least 50% of profits or revenue to charity.

Social enterprises must submit their constitution and proof of their social enterprise impact model.

Besides all the above, to be eligible, your organisation must:

• show that your main activity is providing welfare or wellbeing services or supports to the ex-service community in Victoria
• be financially solvent
• be based in Australia. Note: funded projects must be delivered in Victoria.

Check your Australian Business Number (ABN)

To check your ABN, visit the Australian Business Register (ABR).

Check your organisation type

• For incorporated associations, co-operatives or organisations incorporated through other means go to Consumer Affairs Victoria
• For a Company Limited by Guarantee go to ASIC Connect Online
• For registered charities go to Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• For Aboriginal corporations go to Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).

To check if your organisation is up to date on reporting requirements, please view your current grants in the DFFH Grants Gateway.

Any report which is showing as red is overdue. These reports must be completed before you submit your application to this grant program to avoid disappointment.

Alternatively, email veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au to check whether your organisation is up to date with grant reporting requirements.

Ineligible organisations

Organisations that cannot apply include:

• state and federal government departments
• individuals and sole traders
• public companies limited by shares – unless the foundational document can prove not-for-profit status
• commercial enterprises
• registered:
  • public and private primary and secondary schools
  • pre-schools
  • TAFE institutes
  • universities – they can act as an auspice for an unincorporated community group.
• organisations that have failed to comply with the terms and conditions of previously awarded grants from any Department of Families, Fairness and Housing grant program
• groups whose projects are the responsibility of another Victorian government department
• hospitals and health service organisations.

From 1 January 2025, organisations that are not registered for GST can use grant funds to cover the cost of GST from goods and services bought with the department’s grant funds.

More information, including what this means for your grant application, is available from the Grants Gateway.

What can be funded?

Examples of projects we might fund include:

• direct welfare services, programs or assistance that is targeted to the veteran community
• welfare for those in the ex-service community who are socially or live in an isolated area. For example, the cost of providing access to activities
• health and wellbeing programs and activities for veterans or their families
• education and school expenses for veterans’ dependants, for example:
  • school uniforms
  • books
  • excursions
• operating costs for providing welfare, for example the costs of providing transport for:
  • shopping
  • social activities
  • welfare needs
• equipment related costs may be funded if it directly supports the wellbeing of veterans and their families. This may include:
  • camping or recreational equipment
  • uniforms related to the funded activity

Please note:

• If you are unsure about whether a cost could be supported under the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund, please contact the Veterans Grants team before submitting your application.
• You may be offered a smaller funding amount than you applied for. We may ask for a revised project plan and budget

Components that need more information

Some components can only be funded in certain circumstances.

IT equipment, electronics, furniture and small appliances

Some types of equipment may only be funded if your application can demonstrate they will directly support veterans and their families.

This includes:

• IT equipment. For example, computers, tablets or peripheral devices
• electronics. For example, speakers, lighting or televisions
• small appliances. For example, coffee machines, microwaves
• furniture. For example, desks or chairs.

These items will not be funded if they will be used to support administration, your organisation’s usual work, or will be used by staff.

If you seek funding for these items, your application must include:

• how the equipment will support the wellbeing and facilitate participation of veterans and their families
• how many veterans the component will support. For example, how many veterans will use a workstation
• itemised quotes.

Catering

Catering may only be funded if you meet all of the following criteria:

• it is required to facilitate attendance or participation of veterans and their families
• not providing catering would prevent veterans or their families from participating
• it would be reasonably expected. For example:
  • for multi-day or overnight activities
  • activities that run for multiple hours over mealtimes
• it is at a reasonable cost
• no alcohol is provided.

Catering will not be funded for:

• launch or promotional events
• events of less than three hours
• staff
• gatherings or events for groups who would otherwise already be connected. For example, a scheduled monthly social gathering, or a meal served after a commemorative event
• functions or events that do not have wellbeing or welfare as the primary focus
• events or activities that would otherwise be ineligible for funding under the guidelines.

If you seek funding for catering, your application must include:

• how the components will support the wellbeing and participation of veterans and their families
• why catering is necessary. For example, if the event has been run before, include why catering is required and the outcome it will have
• how many people the catering will serve, and how many are veterans
• the cost of catering per person
• itemised quotes.
  

Ineligible activities and costs

Ineligible project components include:

• buying vehicles, for example:
  • cars
  • buses
• activities and projects located outside Victoria
• interstate and overseas travel
• capital works on buildings
• branded material
• commemoration activities
• community education programs
• administrative costs
• printing, publishing, postage or advertising (unless promoting an activity directly related to funding)
• equipment that will not be primarily used by veterans (for example, office equipment for administrative purposes, or a coffee machine that will be used by employees). This includes:
  • IT equipment. For example, laptops, computers, peripheral devices
  • white goods and small appliances. For example, fridges, ovens, dishwashers or microwaves.
• salary costs of existing staff or staff who do not deliver the funded activity
• utilities, ongoing routine operating and maintenance costs.

Also, the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund does not support activities that:

• are within the responsibility of another state, federal, local government program.
• have already started or been completed, including:
  • any activities undertaken before notification of the application outcome (initial concept planning is expected for major projects)
• are private sector projects undertaken because of a Victorian Government contract
• are delivered outside Victoria
• applications that do not include all required documents
• projects that are eligible under other Victorian Government veterans grant programs, for details see the Grants to support and commemorate veterans. This includes:
  • repair and restoration of existing war memorials (for these projects see Restoring Community Memorials and Avenues of Honour Program in the guidelines)
  • installation of new war memorials or honour rolls (for these projects see Victoria Remembers Grant Program in the guidelines)
  • capital works projects (for these projects see Veterans Capital Works Grant Program in the guidelines).

You need to submit the following mandatory documents with your application:

• evidence that your organisation’s principal objective is to provide welfare or wellbeing services or supports to the ex-service community, for example:
  • Patriotic Fund Registration
  • Articles of Association
• a detailed budget and quotes for your activity. Your budget must be itemised and specify how funding will be used
• annual statement. Please provide your organisation’s financial information for a 12-month period. We need this to make sure your organisation is viable and financially responsible. If you are:
  • an incorporated association, submit your most recent Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) annual statement
  • a registered charity, submit your most recent Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) annual information statement
  • a social enterprise, submit your organisation’s profit and loss figures for the previous financial or calendar year. This must have been sighted and reviewed by 2 committee members or audited by an accountant.

If you are unable to attach your financial statement as submitted to either ACNC or CAV, you must attach:

• the financial report that was tabled at your organisation’s most recent annual general meeting. This document must show that the financial report was sighted and reviewed by 2 committee members.

Other mandatory documents, (if relevant to your project) include:

• evidence that any project income from other sources is approved and available before submitting your application
• auspice applications must provide a letter of support from the auspice organisation
• letters of support from other organisations, agencies or partners involved in your project.

Please note:

• You can attach documents to your online application. Check carefully to make sure all attachments have been uploaded before you submit your application.
• Uploaded attachments must be renamed to reflect the question or required filed. For example:
  • 12 month financial statement.doc
  • Budget item 1_Welfare activity quote.pdf
  • Auspice Arrangement.pdf
• If you have trouble uploading documents online, you can email them to the Veterans Grants team veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au. Make sure you include your application number with the email. You must submit all documents before the due date.
• You do not need to provide letters of support from government officials or representatives. For example, your local Member of Parliament or councillor. We do not consider these in the assessment process.
  

If your organisation is not incorporated or does not have an ABN, you may consider partnering with another organisation that meets these eligibility criteria who will accept legal responsibility for the grant. This is known as an auspice arrangement. If the application is successful, your organisation will deliver the activity but the auspice organisation will be responsible for:

• signing the grant funding agreement with the department
• ensuring the legal and financial requirements of the grant and funding agreement are met
• receiving and distributing grant funds under the funding agreement
• ensuring all project activities are completed
• submitting reports and financial acquittals on behalf of your organisation.

If you want to propose an auspice arrangement the application must include:

• a letter of support from the auspice organisation
• a memorandum of understanding outlining roles and responsibilities between the two organisations.

More information on auspice arrangements is available from the Grants Gateway.

All applications to the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund undergo the following assessment process:

• Eligibility assessment: all applications are assessed against the eligibility criteria. The eligibility assessment determines whether the application should proceed for merit assessment.
• Merit assessment: eligible applications are assessed against the assessment criteria, based on responses you provide on the application form.
• Assessment panel: a panel that includes representatives from the Victorian Veterans Council will review all applications.
• Ministerial approval: the Minister for Veterans makes the final decision based on the recommendations from the assessment panel.
• Application outcome: the department will notify all applicants of the outcome of their application by email.

All decisions are final. This includes decisions about any aspect of the:

• funding application
• eligibility or assessment process, including:
  • any decision to offer or award a grant under the Anzac Day Proceeds Fund
  • any decision to withdraw the offer or cancel the grant funding agreement.

Merit assessment

Eligible applications are assessed on merit. We use the assessment criteria below.

We ask the questions ‘what, why, how and who’ to determine the benefits to veterans and the wider Victorian community.

• What is the project?
  • Describe the welfare or wellbeing benefit provided to the ex-service community.
• Why is there a need for the project?
  • Who will benefit from your project? Include estimated numbers, locations and the type of welfare/wellbeing assistance you will provide.
  • Is your project addressing a priority cohort? If so, which?
  • Is your project providing assistance for utility bills? If so, include the number of recipients and the dollar value.
• How have you planned the project and what steps will you take to deliver it?
  • When do you expect the project to start?
  • How will the project be delivered?
  • Describe any changes to the demographic of those requesting welfare or who you are providing wellbeing activities for.
  • Provide details of any changes to the number and type of welfare or wellbeing requests in the past two years.
• How will you manage the project?
  • Will staff or volunteers manage the project?
  • Do you have the capacity to complete the project in 12 months?
  • What level of priority will you attribute to this project compared to other organisational needs?
  • Have you applied for other funding that may impact the project’s success?
• Who do you need to work with to deliver the project?
  • Do you need to consult with others for this project?
  • Where relevant, list any other organisations or agencies that will work with you on the project and attach support letters.
• How much will project cost?
  • Have you provided an accurate budget and quotes for your project?
  • Does your budget match the amount in the quotes?
  • Have you shown your project can be delivered with the amount of funding you have asked for?

19 June 2026

Guidelines released: start preparing your application

• Download and read the program guidelines
• Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria
• Access the online grant resources
• Seek an auspice arrangement if required
• Start early to allow time to get necessary:
  • information
  • agreements
  • documents.
• Download a PDF copy of your application to review and prepare your responses
• Contact us if you have any questions, email the Veterans Grants team: veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Application submission period: 19 June 2026 to 28 July 2026

• Register or log in to the Grants Gateway to complete an application
• You must be authorised by the organisation to submit the application
• Upload and submit all mandatory and supporting documents with your application
• Submit the application by the due date and time
• You will receive acknowledgement of submission via email
• Note the application number for reference when contacting us about your application.

Applications close: 5 pm 28 July 2026

• We do not consider late or incomplete applications
• We will assess your application within 2 months of the closing date.
  

We will give you written notification of the outcome of your application.

If you are successful, we will tell you about any specific conditions attached to the grant. We will publish details of your project, including the name, description and grant amount, on this webpage.

If you are unsuccessful, you may ask us for feedback about your application.

Conditions of funding

Funding agreements

If successful, you must enter a legally binding Funding Agreement with the Department of Families Fairness and Housing within 30 days from notification. If a funding offer is not accepted during this period, it may be withdrawn.

The Funding Agreement will be based on the Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA). The VCFA outlines:

• the grant’s terms and conditions, including use of funds
• key deliverables and due dates
• reporting requirements
• acknowledgement and publicity guidelines.

You need to deliver the funded activity as set out in the Funding Agreement. You also need to meet all reporting and other requirements on time. For more information, visit the VCFA webpage.

If your application is successful, your organisation’s name and key project details such as project name, description and grant amount will be published on this webpage and included in the department’s Annual Report.

Payment of grant funds and reporting requirements

The department pays successful organisations on completion of agreed project milestones and deliverables outlined in the Funding Agreement.

Milestone payments are made via electronic funds transfer (EFT) once deliverables are met, in line with the VCFA.

Funds will be transferred to the nominated bank account provided by the applicant in the Funding Agreement.

Goods and services tax (GST)

• GST is paid if the grant is funding a good or service, and if the recipient organisation is registered for GST.
• GST is not paid if the recipient organisation is not registered for GST.
• GST is not paid if the recipient organisation is a government entity (e.g., school, local council).
• GST is not paid if the grant is not funding a good and/or service.

Organisations that are not registered for GST can use grant funds to cover the cost of GST from goods and services purchased with the department’s grant funds. Further information, including what this means for your grant application is available from the Grants Gateway.

Funding acknowledgement

Successful applicants must acknowledge that funding for the project came from the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council (VVC) as detailed in the Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines. You must include the appropriate logos on any activity-related publications and websites, media releases and promotional materials, project hardware and formal event invitations.

You must formally invite the Victorian Government and the VVC to attend any official events related to the project (for example, a project launch or exhibition). We will send you the acknowledgement requirements if your project is funded.

Legal responsibilities

If you apply for a grant, you must make sure the project activity follows relevant:

• legislation
• regulations
• by-laws
• codes.

It must also meet the requirements of any of the following authorities:

• Commonwealth
• state
• territory
• local authority.

It is your responsibility to know the laws and protocols that regulate your work.

Email the Veterans Grants team veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au with your query.

If you need an interpreter: Please email the Veterans Grants team veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au to request a call back. Let us know your preferred language.

If you need help with communication, contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS). For more information:

• visit National Relay Service(opens in a new window) to choose your preferred access point, or
• call the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660.

Online grant resources

Visit the Applying and reporting veterans grants website for resources on:

• how to write a grant application
• how to access the department’s Grants Gateway
• common grants words and terms
• in-kind contributions
• auspice arrangements and how to know if you need one.

Subscribe to our newsletter

For updates on upcoming grant rounds, subscribe to the Veterans Grants email newsletter.