Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program 2026–27

Funding is allocated using an attribution model based on total eligible demand and organisational need. No minimum or maximum grant cap
Non-competitive, demand-driven grant.
Activities are expected to run from August 2026 to 30 June 2029
Applications close April 15th, 2026

The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program 2026–27 supports ex‑service organisations (ESOs) that provide free compensation and wellbeing advocacy services to Australia’s veteran and defence communities.

Grant funding supports the delivery of compensation advocacy, wellbeing advocacy, wellbeing support services, and administrative assistance that directly enables these services. The program does not fully fund ESOs but contributes to salary costs, training, equipment, and administrative expenses required to deliver advocacy services.

Successful applicants enter into a three‑year Commonwealth Simple Grant Agreement, with annual milestone reporting required to unlock funding for subsequent years. The program is national in scope and supports veteran advocacy services across all Australian states and territories.

Key Requirements

Provision of free advocacy services ESOs must deliver free compensation and/or wellbeing advocacy services to veterans and their families, with no fees charged to clients.
Qualified advocacy workforce Advocacy work must be undertaken by appropriately qualified ATDP advocates. Work performed by TIP‑trained advocates is ineligible.
Service standards compliance Applicants must commit to meeting the Service Standards for Claims Advocacy, including responsiveness, accuracy, safety, and record‑keeping.
Organisational capacity and sustainability ESOs must demonstrate established capability to deliver advocacy services or a sustainable plan for growth, including partnerships or consortium arrangements where relevant

What is eligible for funding?

Compensation advocacy services
Wellbeing advocacy services
Wellbeing support officer activities
Administrative support for advocacy delivery
Advocate and support staff salaries and on‑costs
Training directly related to advocacy and wellbeing services
Equipment, IT systems, and office consumables
Domestic travel related to advocacy work
Marketing and communication of free advocacy services

What companies are eligible for funding?

Ex‑Service Organisations (ESOs) that are one of the following entity types:

- Company
- Cooperative
- Corporate State or Territory Entity
- Incorporated Association
- Indigenous Corporation
- Statutory Entity

Additional Considerations

Applicants must be an ESO as defined in the guidelines
ESOs that are not eligible entity types may apply via an eligible sponsor ESO
All previous DVA grants must be acquitted (if applicable)
Applicants must not be a business, sole trader, partnership, local government, or Commonwealth entity

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Eligibility‑based, demand‑driven (non‑competitive).

How can I get help with my grant application?

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.

This grant is open

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