Call for Applications: Active Ageing Grants (Australia)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

Healthy North Coast, in partnership with the Northern NSW Local Health District, is offering Active Ageing Grants to support safe, inclusive, and accessible physical activity programmes for older adults across Northern New South Wales. The programme is designed to help older people stay active, connected, and independent while reducing barriers such as cost, transport difficulties, and social isolation. It also aims to strengthen local organizations and community groups in promoting healthy ageing and wellbeing. For Round 2, grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 excluding GST are available, with a total funding pool of $150,000. Successful projects must be delivered between January 2027 and June 2028 in eligible Northern NSW locations.

About the Active Ageing Grants Program

The Active Ageing Grants programme was established to expand opportunities for older adults to participate in safe and welcoming physical activity. The initiative recognizes that older people can face practical and social barriers that make it difficult to participate in regular physical activity. These can include programme costs, limited transportation options, and social isolation. By supporting locally designed activities, the programme aims to make physical activity more accessible while creating opportunities for older people to build social connections. What Is the Purpose of the Grant? The programme seeks to support projects that help older adults become more physically active and maintain their independence and wellbeing.

Key objectives include:

- Increasing participation in physical activity. - Reducing barriers to participation. - Addressing social isolation. - Creating safe and inclusive activities. - Improving access to local physical activity opportunities. - Strengthening community organizations supporting older adults. - Promoting healthy ageing and wellbeing. - Encouraging social connection and community participation. Projects should provide practical benefits for older people within the eligible Northern NSW communities. Who Should These Activities Support? The programme particularly encourages projects that support older adults who may experience greater barriers to physical activity. Priority may be given to activities supporting people who: - Are currently not physically active. - Experience social isolation. - Face financial or transport barriers. - Have difficulty accessing existing physical activity opportunities. - Would benefit from welcoming and inclusive community activities. Projects should consider how their design can make participation easier and more comfortable for older adults. Culturally Safe Activities for First Nations People The programme places particular emphasis on culturally safe activities for First Nations people. Applicants developing projects for First Nations older adults should consider cultural safety, accessibility, community needs, and appropriate engagement approaches. Activities should create welcoming environments where participants can feel comfortable, respected, and included. How Much Funding Is Available? Round 2 of the Active Ageing Grants programme offers: - Grants from $5,000 to $30,000. - Funding amounts are excluding GST. - A total Round 2 funding pool of $150,000. Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate for the scale and requirements of their proposed project. When Must Projects Be Delivered? Funded activities must be delivered between: January 2027 and June 2028. Applicants should ensure that their project timeline fits within this delivery period and that the proposed activities can realistically be implemented during the funding timeframe. Where Can Projects Be Delivered? The programme supports activities in specified areas of Northern New South Wales.

Eligible locations include:

- Ballina. - Byron. - Clarence Valley. - Kyogle. - Lismore. - Richmond Valley. - Tweed. - Urbenville in Tenterfield Shire. Applicants should ensure that their proposed services or activities are delivered within the eligible geographic areas. Who Can Apply? The Active Ageing Grants programme is open to a broad range of organizations and businesses that can deliver eligible activities in Northern NSW.

Eligible applicants include:

- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. - Community groups. - Not-for-profit organizations. - Incorporated associations. - Local councils. - Local sporting clubs. - Sole traders. - Small businesses with fewer than 20 staff. - Universities. This broad eligibility allows both community-based organizations and other local service providers to develop physical activity opportunities for older adults. ABN Requirement Applicants must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN). Organizations should ensure that their ABN information is current and can be provided as part of the application process. NSW Operating Requirement Applicants must have operated in New South Wales for at least 12 months. This requirement helps ensure that applicants have an established presence and understanding of the communities they intend to serve. Northern NSW Service Requirement Applicants must provide services within Northern NSW. Organizations should demonstrate a clear connection to the eligible communities and explain how their proposed project will benefit older adults living in the target areas. Insurance Requirement Applicants must have appropriate insurance coverage or be willing to obtain the required insurance. Organizations should consider their insurance requirements when developing their project plans and budgets. Using an Auspice Organization Organizations that do not meet all eligibility requirements may still be able to participate by applying through an eligible auspice organization. An auspice arrangement can allow an eligible organization to support the application and project administration where the original applicant does not independently satisfy all programme requirements. Applicants considering this pa