Australian Government Opens Batch 2 of $41.6 Million Multicultural Community Infrastructure Grants
The Australian Government has opened Batch 2 of its Infrastructure for Multicultural Communities Grants. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $1.5 million to build, upgrade or expand community infrastructure. Batch 2 closes at 4pm (ACT local time) on 12 November 2026.
Batch 1 closed on 18 May 2026 and is currently being assessed. The results will be announced in October 2026.
The Australian Government stated that the grant opportunity aims to provide co-funding to deliver community-focused infrastructure and amenities, improve community connections, and benefit the wider multicultural community by improving equity and social inclusion.
Who can apply?
Under the grant guidelines, applicants must be not-for-profit organisations and legal entities that can enter into a legally binding grant agreement with the Commonwealth.
Eligible applicants must be one of the following entity types:
- Company
- Cooperative
- Incorporated Association
- Indigenous Corporation
- Statutory Entity
If an application is made on behalf of a trust, the trustee must be one of the eligible organisation types listed above.
Applicants must also demonstrate that their main purpose is to represent and promote the interests of culturally and linguistically diverse communities, or to provide support, services or programs to those communities.
Which communities and projects will be prioritised?
The following groups and projects will be prioritised for grants:
- new and emerging multicultural communities
- projects focused on achieving positive outcomes for multicultural women, multicultural LGBTIQA+ community members, and multicultural people with a disability.
Applicants who apply under a priority group but are found not to meet the requirements during assessment will not progress to the next stage.
What projects can be funded?
The grant can be used to build, upgrade or expand facilities that provide practical benefits to multicultural communities.
Eligible projects include:
- community hubs and centres
- museums, libraries and art spaces
- indoor and outdoor amenities, including food preparation areas, dining spaces, bathrooms and barbecue facilities
- meeting and conference facilities
- stages, auditoriums and spaces to encourage performing arts
- spaces for sporting and physical activities.
Projects must not have started construction before receiving government funding. If an application covers a particular stage or part of a larger project, that stage or part must also not have started before funding is approved.
The Government also states that the funding is for the infrastructure project. It cannot be used to provide ongoing community services or for the use, maintenance or upkeep of completed facilities. Up to $1.5 million available.
Batch 2 has three grant streams.
| Funding stream | Minimum grant | Maximum grant |
| Stream 1 — Amenity projects | $20,000 | $100,000 |
| Stream 2 — Small to medium infrastructure projects | $100,001 | $500,000 |
| Stream 3 — Larger infrastructure projects | $500,001 | $1,500,000 |
All grant amounts are exclusive of GST.
Applicants must also contribute part of the total project cost.
For priority groups and priority projects, the minimum co-contribution for Stream 1 and Stream 2 is 2%, while the minimum co-contribution for Stream 3 is more than 2%.
For other applicants, the co-contribution for Stream 1 and Stream 2 is at least 25% of the total project cost. Applicants under Stream 3 must contribute at least 50% of the total cost.
Applicants should therefore work out their total project budget and the amount of funding they can contribute before applying.
It is worth noting that applicants can only choose one batch and apply for only one funding stream. The first and second rounds also use different application forms.
What documents are required?
Applicants must provide:
- budget on the mandatory template
- project plan and risk management plan on the mandatory template
- evidence of land ownership or approval from the landowner to complete the project
The Government recommends that applicants confirm their project budget, land arrangements and selected funding stream before submitting the application.
Applications must be submitted through the Australian Government’s GrantConnect system by 4pm on 12 November 2026 (ACT local time).
Details:
Most read
Card Payment Surcharges to End Across Australia from 1 October
Sydney accounting firm fined $177,000 over unlawful cashback scheme involving migrant worker
Nearly 2 million Quest customers affected by data breach
Goodwin Aged Care Services to repay $1.39 million after employee underpayments
NSW Expands Paid Internship Program Across Creative Industries
