Victoria Remembers Grant Program

The program guidelines include further information about the objectives of the Victoria Remembers Grant Program, eligibility and assessment criteria and activities that can and cannot be funded.

Download the program guidelines before you apply:

We prioritise projects that:

• honour, commemorate, or educate about veterans’ service in effective ways
• target veterans who are:
  • women
  • First Nations
  • LGBTIQA+
  • from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD)
  • veterans with disability
  • veterans who have experienced negative impact of service to their mental health
• focus on post-1990 Australian Defence Force operations
• create and expand collaborative partnerships.

Projects should:

• be 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.

Be aware that:

• You cannot apply for funding if your project has already started or will start before the anticipated announcement date of November 2025.
• Success of previous funding is not indicative of future funding through this program.
• Incomplete or incorrect applications are not considered.

Organisations that receive revenue from electronic gaming are ineligible to apply.

Funding available

Organisations can submit more than one application.

• The total value of Victoria Remembers applications in this round must not exceed $30,000 (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.

Activity period

This grant round supports activities that take place between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026. 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 2026.

To be eligible to apply for funding through Victoria Remembers:

• Your application must be submitted by an eligible organisation. (Refer to the ‘Organisation eligibility’ section.)
• Your organisation must not have outstanding reports from previous or current grants funded via the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the department)
• you must be seeking funding for an eligible activity (refer to the ‘Eligible activities and costs’ section).

Organisation eligibility

To be eligible for this program, your organisation must have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).

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. Refer to the ‘Auspice applications’ section.

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.

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
• 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.

Funding for this grant comes from the Community Support Fund. This means organisations that receive revenue from electronic gaming are not eligible to apply.

Auspice arrangements

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. This is a mandatory document for all applications with auspice arrangements.
• a memorandum of understanding outlining roles and responsibilities between the 2 organisations

Please note:

• The auspice organisation must formally agree to support your application before you submit.
• The department may decide to communicate with the auspice organisation (instead of, or in addition to, the grant recipient). It may do this in relation to any aspect of the funding agreement.

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. These organisations should provide GST inclusive costs in their grant application and acquittal report. GST registered organisations should continue to show GST exclusive costs in their application and all reporting.

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

Examples of projects we might fund include:

New war memorials:

• for districts without an adequate existing memorial
• that commemorate the service or sacrifice of veterans in a specific battle or campaign relevant to a local area, and which does not already exist in Victoria
• in honour of individuals awarded the Victoria Cross
• creative or modern interpretation of a memorial

Commemorative events:

• that commemorate major or significant anniversaries, for example every 5th or 10th year anniversary. Lower priority may be given to other anniversaries.
• that honour or commemorate service and sacrifice of Victorian veterans
• that are of local or regional significance
• encourage school students or children to attend

Public education projects:

• applications for digital publications that include evidence of diverse and broad distribution channels
• that educate Victorians about the service and sacrifice of veterans
• that use digital forms of storytelling, for example websites, podcasts, short films. These may be given a higher priority.

Preservation of wartime heritage

• that preserves war heritage for future generations
• for expert assessment or materials to conserve objects of demonstrated historical significance
• that increase public access to heritage by creating displays.

Please note: Memorabilia displays should be publicly accessible.

Ineligible activities and costs

Ineligible projects include:

• repair and restoration of existing war memorials. The Restoring Community Memorials and Avenues of Honour Program is for these projects.
• capital works, maintenance or repairs to buildings and office equipment – the Capital Works Grants Program is for these projects
• projects located outside Victoria or on Defence land
• buying or restoring:
  • weapons
  • decommissioned military assets and armoured vehicles
• ongoing staffing, administrative, office or equipment costs, for example:
  • IT equipment
  • musical instruments
  • sporting equipment
  • white goods
  • coffee machines
• landscape beautification and cosmetic improvements
• university research projects
• administrative, advertising or office equipment purchasing costs, for example:
  • computers
  • printers
  • white goods
• buying vehicles, for example:
  • cars
  • buses
• veterans’ reunions and conferences
• personal memoirs, unit or ship histories
• functions and event catering
• interstate and overseas travel
• printing costs
• publishing of books.

Also, Victoria Remembers does not support activities that:

• are funded primarily under another state, federal, local government program
• 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
• are private sector projects undertaken because of a Victorian Government contract.

Please note:

• If you are unsure about whether a cost can be supported under Victoria Remembers, please contact the Veterans Grants team before submitting your application. Refer to the ‘More information and help’ section.
• You may be offered a smaller funding amount than you applied for. We may ask for a revised project plan and budget.

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

• evidence that your organisation is one of the following:
  • ex-service organisation
  • local government authority
  • not-for-profit organisation
  • educational institute
• annual statement:
  • evidence of your organisation’s financial information over a 12-month period. We need this to make sure your organisation is viable and financially responsible.
• evidence that any project income from other sources is approved and available before submitting your application
• auspice applications must provide the signed Accepting an Auspice Arrangement form from the auspice organisation. You can download this form from the Victoria Remembers Grant[1] page on the Victorian Government website. You also need 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 are uploaded before you submit your application.
• 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.

All applications to the Victoria Remembers Grant Program undergo the following assessment process:

• Eligibility assessment – all applications undergo an eligibility assessment against the eligibility criteria. The eligibility assessment determines whether the application should proceed to the merit assessment stage.
• Merit assessment – eligible applications are assessed against the assessment criteria, based on responses you provide on the application form.
• Assessment panel – all applications are reviewed by a panel, which includes representatives from the Victorian Veterans Council.
• Ministerial approval – the Minister for Veterans makes the final decision based on the recommendations from the assessment panel.
• Application outcome – all applicants are notified 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 following assessment criteria.

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

• What is the project?
  • Describe the project and how it will educate Victorians or commemorate veterans’ service.
  • How is your organisation making a difference for veterans and their families?
• Why is there a need for the project?
  • Who will benefit from your project?
  • Is your project addressing a priority cohort?
  • Why is your project necessary?
  • What will happen if the project is not funded?
  • If your project is education based, who and how many people will it reach?
  • If your project is to honour and commemorate veterans’ service, how will it achieve this?
• How have you planned for 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?
  • How will you promote the project? For example, how will you promote your new memorial or education program?
  • Does the project require any approvals permits or other permissions?
• 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?
  • Do you need to consult with others to deliver this project?

• Register or log in to the Grants Gateway to complete an application.
• Applications must be completed by a person authorised to submit on behalf of the applicant organisation.
• You can save your application as a draft and resume it later.
• Submit all mandatory and supporting documents with the 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.
• We do not consider late or incomplete applications.

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 about your project, including its name, description and grant amount, on the Victoria Remembers website.

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

Funding agreements

If successful, you must enter a legally binding Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) with the department. You must enter into this agreement by the milestone date set in the Activity Deliverables and Payments Table of your VCFA. If you do not accept the agreement during this time, the grant may be withdrawn.

The VCFA outlines:

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

If you need to request a variation to the VCFA or ask for a reporting extension, email the Veterans Grants team veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Payment of grant funds and reporting requirements

If you are successful in receiving funding, your organisation will need to submit a final report and financial acquittal. You may also need to provide progress reports for complex or high-value projects.

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

You must use all funds during the activity period, as outlined in the VCFA. You must return any unspent funds to the department.

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.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) considers grants and sponsorships as taxable income. The ATO can help with information on tax, including GST. Call 13 28 66 or visit the ATO.

Funding acknowledgement

Successful applicants must acknowledge that funding for the project came from the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council (VVC).

The VCFA sets out guidelines around promotion. These include a requirement that all activities must acknowledge support from Victorian Government and VVC. 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:

• Commonwealth
• state
• territory
• local authority.

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

Funded events

Events funded by the department must be respectful and open to all Victorian communities to attend.

Please make sure that your event is inclusive and consider an Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome to Country, the accessibility of your event and its environmental impact.

Contact Us

• Phone the Grants information hotline on 1300 366 356.
• Email the Veterans Grants team at veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au with your query. You can also request a call back (during business hours).

If you need an interpreter: Please email the Veterans Grants team at veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au to request a call back, advising us of 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.

Access 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.