Veterans Capital Works Grant Program

We may prioritise funding for projects:

• based on how effective they are in improving or increasing the use of facilities
• that make financial or in-kind contributions towards the project
• carried out in regional and rural areas
• that have limited or no other sources of revenue. For example, organisations in receipt of revenue from electronic gaming may be given lower priority.
• in regional and rural local government areas to ensure fair funding across:
  • regions
  • metropolitan Melbourne.

We will not fund applications for projects that:

• have already started
• start before 1 July 2026
• you submit:
  • with incomplete documentation
  • with misleading information
  • after the closing date.

Important considerations

We recommend factoring a contingency amount of up to 10% into your project budget. The amount must not exceed the maximum value of the grant ($50,000 excluding GST).

If your project requires project management fees, you may include up to 10% of the total project costs.

You must not exceed the maximum value of the grant ($50,000 excluding GST) if requesting these costs.

You must use the premises for at least 2 years after the project finishes. Your application may need proof of this if it is leased.

Success of previous applications is not indicative of future funding through this program.

Funding available

Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 are available.

Activity period

This grant round supports activities that take place between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

• You must complete your project within 12 months of the project approval date.
• You cannot apply for funding if your project starts before 1 July 2026.

Examples of Veterans Capital Works projects we might fund include:

• upgrade or development of:
  • service delivery areas
  • activity spaces
  • meeting rooms or spaces
  • veteran accommodation. For example, crisis accommodation or aged care units that are exclusively for veterans
  • outdoor areas
  • existing libraries, storage or museum spaces for war heritage collections
• safety and accessibility-related improvements, including to:
  • kitchens
  • bathrooms and toilets
  • floors, walkways and ramps. For example through widening doors or corridors
  • roofing and windows
• removal, repair or replacement of damaged or dangerous fittings and fixtures, for example:
  • removal of asbestos
  • repair of water damaged flooring
  • repair of gas or electricity connections
• improving sustainability, including through:
  • rain water tanks
  • solar panels and batteries. (Your project budget must reflect any applicable rebates or subsidies).

Lower priority may be given to applicants that:

• have other revenue streams, including through electronic gaming
• have received a grant through this program before
• can be funded or subsidised through other programs.

Primary use of the facility

Veterans Capital Works funds improvements for facilities that deliver services to the veteran community.

• To be eligible, the facility in your application must be for the primary benefit of veterans and their families. (That is, more than 50% of its use).
• Exception may be given to community spaces in rural and remote areas which are used to support multiple community groups if no other local facilities exist to support veterans.
  • If your facility falls under this category, or you are unsure about your eligibility, email the Office for Veterans at veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au for advice.

What projects cannot be funded?

Projects, activities and costs that cannot be funded under Veterans Capital Works include:

• administrative, office or equipment costs – including:
  • printing, publishing or advertising
  • IT equipment including laptops, computers, peripheral devices
  • white goods and small appliances. For example fridges, ovens, dishwashers or coffee machines
  • recreation, entertainment or sporting equipment
• business plans, feasibility studies or costs of designing facilities only. For example detailed design of a facility or single site masterplans
• buying or restoring weapons, or decommissioned military assets and armoured vehicles
• salary costs of existing staff (except for up to 10% of the total project value being used for project management costs)
• utilities, ongoing routine operating and maintenance costs
• buying land, new buildings or vehicles
• works on the following areas:
  • smoking
  • bistro
  • bar
  • gambling
  • other related areas, like bistro storage or creche facilities for patrons using these services
• fencing, including gates – unless updates or replacement is required for safety or accessibility requirements
• landscaping, gardening and beautification activities – unless it represents a minor aspect of the project and is required as part of the works funded by this program. For example, funding may be provided for:
  • painting a new wall
  • replacing removed plants due to building requirements.

Also, Veterans Capital Works does not support activities that:

• are within the responsibility of another state, federal, local government program. For example public roads or footpaths
• have already started or been completed, including:
  • any activities undertaken before notification of the application outcome (initial concept planning is expected for major projects)
• are private sector projects undertaken because of a Victorian Government contract
• are located outside Victoria
• are on Defence land
• are on private land
• are on facilities that prohibit public access
• applications that do not include all required documents, including:
  • evidence of consent from the land and/or building owner
  • support and financial commitment from funding partners
  • recent quotes
  • required planning approvals
• projects that are eligible under other Victorian Government veterans grant programs, for details see Grants to support and commemorate veterans on the Victorian Government website. This includes:
• repair and restoration of existing war memorials (for these projects see Restoring Community Memorials and Avenues of Honour Program)
• installation of new war memorials or honour rolls (for these projects see Victoria Remembers Grant Program).

Please note:

• If you’re not sure if a project is supported under the Veterans Capital Works program, contact the Office for Veterans before submitting your application (refer to ‘More information and help’).

You may be offered a smaller funding amount than you applied for. We may ask for a revised project plan and budget.

Key dates and timelines

Applications open: 25 November 2025

• Read the program guidelines.
• Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Access our online grant resources .
• Seek an ‘Auspice Arrangement’ if required. (refer to ‘Auspice Arrangement’ section in the program guidelines)
• Start early to allow time to get necessary:
  • information
  • agreements
  • documents.
• Download a PDF copy of your application to review and prepare your responses.
• Contact us if you have any questions:
  • Phone the grants information hotline: 1300 366 356
  • Email the Office for Veterans team: veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au

Application period: 25 November 2025 to 3 February 2026

• Register or log in to the Grants Gateway.
• You must be authorised by the organisation to submit the application.
• Upload and submit all mandatory and supporting documents with your 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.

Applications close: 5:00pm, 3 February 2026

• We do not consider late or incomplete applications.
• We assess your application within 2 months of the closing date.

Eligibility overview

To be eligible to apply for funding, applicants must make sure:

• they an eligible organisation (refer to ‘Organisation eligibility’ section in the program guidelines)
• your organisation does not have outstanding reports from previous or current grants funded by the department
• you must be seeking funding for an eligible activity (refer to the ‘Project eligibility’ section).

For more information, refer to the program guidelines.

All applications to the Veterans Capital Works 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 by the department’s assessment panel, based on responses you provide on the application form.
• 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 and assessment process, including:
  • any decision to offer or award a grant under Veterans Capital Works
  • withdrawing or cancelling the offer or award of a grant funding agreement.

For more information, refer to the program guidelines.

All applicants receive written notification of the outcome of their application.

If you are successful, we tell you about any specific conditions attached to the grant. We publish details about your project, including its name, description and grant amount on this webpage.

If you are unsuccessful, you can 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 Office for Veterans at 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. For example, 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 website.

Funding acknowledgement

Successful applicants must acknowledge that funding for the project came from the Victorian Government.

The VCFA sets out guidelines around promotion. These include a requirement that all activities must acknowledge support from Victorian Government. You must include the appropriate logos on any activity-related:

• publications and websites
• media releases and promotional materials
• project hardware
• formal event invitations.

You must formally invite the Victorian Government to attend any official events related to the project. For example, a project launch or exhibition.

We will send you Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines that outline your requirements if your project is funded.

More information about this can be found on the Acknowledgement requirements for veterans grant recipients webpage.

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 of the following authorities:

• Australian Government
• state
• territory
• local.

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

To learn more about the Veterans Capital Works grant program, or for help with your application or grant reporting, you can:

Contact us

• Phone the Grants information hotline on 1300 366 356.
• Email the Office for Veterans veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au with your query.

If you need an interpreter: Please email the Office for Veterans team veteransgrants@dffh.vic.gov.au to request a call back, advising us of your preferred language.

If you are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication difficulty please:

1. contact us through your preferred National Relay Service (NRS) call channel.
2. provide the NRS with our phone number (1300 366 356).

For more information, visit the About the National Relay Service.

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.