Apply Now: Dame Roma Mitchell Grants Program (Australia)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The Dame Roma Mitchell Grants provide financial assistance to children and young people in South Australia who are or have been under guardianship or eligible long-term family care arrangements. The grants support personal goals, health and wellbeing, education, employment, skills development, and other developmental opportunities, with applicants able to request funding for practical items, services, training, and activities. What Are the Dame Roma Mitchell Grants? The Dame Roma Mitchell Grants are designed to help young people who have experienced the South Australian child protection system access opportunities that can improve their wellbeing, independence, education, and future prospects. The program provides targeted financial support for eligible applicants to pursue goals that may otherwise be difficult to afford.

Funding can support three broad areas:

- Achieving personal goals - Health and wellbeing - Developmental opportunities The program recognises that young people who have experienced guardianship may require additional financial support to access education, employment, health services, equipment, and personal development opportunities. Why the Dame Roma Mitchell Grants Matter The grants can help eligible young people overcome financial barriers and participate in activities that contribute to their: - Personal independence - Health and wellbeing - Education and training - Employment readiness - Skills development - Social participation - Long-term personal development The funding can be particularly useful for practical expenses such as study equipment, vocational tools, counselling, driving lessons, sporting equipment, or essential household items. Grant Categories Applicants can seek funding under three main categories. Achieving Personal Goals This category supports activities and purchases that help young people achieve personal ambitions and become more independent.

Examples may include:

- Musical instruments - Art materials - Sporting equipment - Driving lessons - Essential household items - Other items or activities linked to an applicant’s personal goals Applicants should clearly explain how the requested support will help them achieve a specific personal objective. Health and Wellbeing Funding can support health-related and wellbeing activities or services that contribute to an applicant’s physical or emotional wellbeing.

Examples include:

- Counselling - Health services - Wellbeing-related support - Other appropriate health and personal wellbeing expenses Applications should explain the expected benefit of the requested service or activity. Developmental Opportunities This category focuses on education, employment, vocational development, and skills building.

Potential eligible expenses include:

- Pre-vocational courses - Computers and software for study or employment - Textbooks - Business-related expenses - Tools required for apprenticeships - Training and skills development - Other educational or employment-related resources Who Is Eligible? The Dame Roma Mitchell Grants are specifically targeted at children and young people with qualifying experience of guardianship or long-term family care in South Australia. Applicants must meet the program’s age and care-history requirements.

Eligibility generally includes young people who

- Are currently under, or have previously been under, a guardianship order in South Australia. - Have been under a qualifying guardianship order for at least one full year. - Alternatively, have been placed in the long-term care of relatives under eligible family care arrangements. - Have received financial support from the South Australian Department for Child Protection for a combined period of at least one year under the relevant arrangement. - Are under 30 years of age at the closing date of the relevant funding round. Applicants should confirm their individual eligibility and the requirements of the specific funding round before submitting an application. What Can the Grant Fund? The program can support a broad range of practical expenses when they are connected to an eligible personal, health, educational, employment, or developmental goal.

Examples include:

- Musical instruments - Art supplies and materials - Sporting equipment - Driving lessons - Essential household items - Counselling services - Health services - Pre-vocational courses - Computers - Study or employment software - Textbooks - Business expenses - Apprenticeship tools - Training and development opportunities The key consideration is whether the requested expense contributes meaningfully to the applicant’s personal development, health, wellbeing, education, employment, or independence. How to Apply Eligible applicants should follow the application process specified for the relevant Dame Roma Mitchell Grants funding round. A strong application should clearly explain the applicant’s circumstances, the goal they want to achieve, the support they are requesting, and how the funding will make a practical difference.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

First, check that you meet the requirements relating to: - South Australian guardianship or qualifying family care history - Minimum period of eligible care - Age - The specific requirements of the current funding round

Step 2: Identify Your Goal

Clearly define what you want to achieve through the grant.

For example:

- Complete vocational training - Purchase equipment needed for an apprenticeship - Improve access to education - Obtain counselling or health support - Learn to drive - Develop an artistic or sporting interest - Establish greater independence at home

Step 3: Determine What Funding Is Required

Prepare a realistic list of the goods, services, training, or activities you need. Where appropriate, obtain relevant quotes or supporting cost information so the requested amount can be clearly justified.

Step 4: Explain the Expected Benefit

Explain how the proposed expenditure will help you. A strong expl