The Stronger Communities Programme (the program) supports the Australian Governments commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia by funding projects in each of the 151 Federal electorates. The program provides grants for community projects to strengthen and benefit local communities and is part of the Governments 2024-25 budget initiatives.

The program falls under the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio budget performance measure for Outcome 3, strengthening the sustainability, capacity and diversity of Australias cities and regions including northern Australia, including through facilitating local partnerships between all levels of government and local communities; through investment in infrastructure and measures that stimulate economic growth; and providing grants and financial assistance.

The objective of the program is to deliver infrastructure projects that provide social benefits for local communities, by supporting one or more of the following:

• support or encourage interstate or international tourism
• support or celebrate Indigenous Australians
• commemorate Australians killed or injured in war or who contributed to Australias war efforts
• support veterans and defence force members and their families and communities
• support the participation and settlement of newly arrived (i.e. within the last 5 years) immigrants who are not citizens
• support the acquisition or deployment of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation measures
• support the dignity of persons (including children) with disabilities by enhancing their access to public infrastructure
• support access for children to public infrastructure which enables interstate or overseas travel, accommodation, or education or health care infrastructure or services
• address gender inequality or discrimination in access to public infrastructure or sport
• provide medical services or facilities, or services or facilities incidental to the provision of medical services
• provide benefits to a specific cohort or cohorts of students
• enable or foster the use of electronic communications.

The intended outcomes of the program are to:

• encourage and support participation in local projects
• improve local community participation
• contribute to vibrant and viable communities.

Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. We will assess invited applications against the programs eligibility and assessment criteria through a closed non-competitive process.

For this round, grant funding will be up to 100% of eligible project costs for all eligible applicants, except for local governing bodies. Grant funding for local governing bodies will be up to 50% of eligible project costs. This means local governing bodies must provide at least 50% of the eligible project costs in matched funding contributions.