Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 2026–27

  • Community Grants: Funding up to $10,000 is available.
  • Major Grants: Funding up to $150,000 is available.
  • Applications close: July 29th, 2026
  • Activities are expected to run for up to 12 months from the start date of the grant agreement.

The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program 2026–27 supports projects and activities that commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations, including National Service personnel, and their families.

The program’s intended outcomes are to promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the role of service personnel, and to preserve, enhance, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage. Projects and activities relating to all wars, conflicts, peacekeeping operations and National Service are eligible.

Two funding streams are available. Community Grants of up to $10,000 support local, community‑focused commemorative projects that honour the service and sacrifice of local community members and are primarily accessed by the local community. Major Grants of between $10,001 and $150,000 support larger‑scale commemorative projects that are significant at a national, state, territory and/or broader regional level. Major projects may include the construction of new war or peace memorials where none currently exist, or additions to existing memorials.

Key Requirements

  • Commemoration focus: Projects must clearly commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel and align with the objectives of the Saluting Their Service Program.
  • Contribution to heritage: Activities must promote understanding of service experiences and/or preserve or provide access to Australia’s wartime heritage.
  • Project readiness: Applicants must demonstrate that projects are ready to proceed, financially viable, and able to be delivered within the grant period.
  • Community vs broader significance: Community Grants must demonstrate strong local relevance, while Major Grants must demonstrate national, state, territory or broader regional significance.
  • Value for money: Applications are assessed on merit, including value for money, co‑contributions and overall impact

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities include (not exhaustive):

  • Construction, restoration or enhancement of memorials, honour boards or plaques
  • Digital commemorative content (e.g. documentaries, podcasts, websites)
  • Exhibitions, displays and restoration of wartime memorabilia
  • Publications relating to wartime or service history
  • School‑based commemorative and educational initiatives
  • Immersive or interactive commemorative experiences
  • Public awareness and cultural activities linked to commemoration

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Company
  • Cooperative
  • Corporate State or Territory Entity
  • Incorporated Association
  • Indigenous Corporation
  • Local Government
  • Non‑corporate State or Territory Entity
  • Non‑corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
  • Partnership (via an eligible lead entity)
  • Person
  • Sole Trader
  • Statutory Entity
  • Unincorporated Association (Community Grants only, up to $10,000)

Additional considerations:

  • All not‑for‑profit applicants must be registered with the ACNC.
  • Trustees may apply on behalf of a Trust, provided the Trustee is an eligible entity type.
  • Applicants must not receive funding from another government source for the same purpose.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.