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VIC Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund

VIC Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund

  • Funding Pool: $1.1 million
  • Funding is divided equally across the 11 Dhelk Dja action group regions, with $100,000 allocated to each region to support multiple projects of varying amounts. There is no fixed maximum grant amount. Each action group region distributes its $100,000 allocation across multiple projects of varying sizes.
  • Applications close: 28 September 2026
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The Victorian Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund supports community-led projects that educate, prevent, reduce and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities across Victoria. Projects address priorities identified by the 11 Dhelk Dja action groups to tackle family violence at a local level.

The fund supports projects that are Aboriginal-led, consistent with the goals of action groups, provide ongoing or long-term community benefit, complement existing local initiatives, and align with the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families 10 Year Agreement (2018–2028).

Key Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the project is controlled, led or directed by Aboriginal people, and that the organisation is not-for-profit and established to promote Aboriginal community objectives or outcomes in Victoria.

Applicants must hold an ABN or provide a valid Statement by a Supplier, demonstrate sufficient financial and administrative capacity to manage the grant, and show capacity to deliver the project within the approved timeframe. All previous CIF reporting and acquittal obligations must be up to date.

Aboriginal-led organisations may partner with non-Aboriginal organisations where specific expertise is required, however the Aboriginal-led organisation or community group must be the lead or senior partner.

All funded projects must provide an alcohol, drug and smoke free environment, provide a culturally safe environment free from violence, ensure volunteers and staff hold a current Working with Children Check, hold public liability insurance of not less than $5 million, and maintain a positive working relationship with the Dhelk Dja action group.

Applicants must contact the regional coordinator for their Dhelk Dja action group region before applying. Full eligibility conditions, assessment criteria and the application form are available in the official funding guidelines, which applicants should review before preparing a submission.

What is eligible for funding?

Projects must align with the strategic priorities of the Dhelk Dja Agreement. Examples include:

Aboriginal Culture and Leadership
Cultural activities such as traditional dance, shield making and basket weaving.

Aboriginal-led Prevention
Activities that support and strengthen families in finding solutions to negative behaviours such as family violence, and sporting events and family days that provide community messages about respectful behaviour and support services.

Self-determining Aboriginal family violence support and services
Support groups or activities that build leadership skills, confidence and knowledge sharing, and workshops and training to improve cultural safety and responsiveness to family violence.

System transformation based on self-determination
Youth forums ensuring the voices of Aboriginal children and young people are embedded in system transformation work.

Aboriginal-led and informed innovation, data and research
Feasibility studies or evaluations of existing CIF projects with the objective of building on what works.

What companies are eligible for funding?

  • Victorian Aboriginal-led not-for-profit organisations with a current service agreement with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  • Victorian Aboriginal-led not-for-profit organisations that have secured an auspice agreement with an organisation holding a current DFFH service agreement
  • Victorian Aboriginal community groups supporting Aboriginal families or communities in Victoria that have secured an auspice arrangement with an organisation holding a current DFFH service agreement

 

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 a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here. 

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? 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.