NSW Ports 2025 Community Grants Program
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply to the NSW Ports 2025 Community Grants Program?
To apply, click here and complete all necessary fields in the Survey Monkey application form.
How do I know if my organisation is eligible for a grant?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a registered Australian not-for-profit organisation or incorporated association, including community groups and schools.
- Have a clear vision and goal to enhance the communities living nearby our ports and intermodal terminals through projects, programs, or initiatives.
- Be applying for a project or program that is located/conducted in one of the following post codes:
- Around Port Botany - Postcodes 2018, 2019, 2020, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2205, 2216, 2217, 2219.
- Around Port Kembla - Postcodes 2500, 2502, 2505, 2506, 2518, 2519, 2525, 2526, 2528
- Around Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre - Postcodes 2133, 2135, 2136, 2190, 2191, 2192, 2195
- Around Cooks River Intermodal Terminal - Postcode 2044
- Create opportunities to foster thriving communities by generating positive outcomes in the areas of education, health, economic development, environment, arts and culture, social welfare, or emergency relief.
- Be able to complete the project within twelve (12) months of confirmation of the grant being awarded and in any event by no later than 30 June 2026.
How do I write a good application?
Last year, we received a significant number of high-quality applications. To give your application the best chance of securing a grant, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each eligibility criterion and project requirement.
Keep your language clear and as concise as possible and be sure to review your application before submitting.
You should include additional materials to support your application (quotes from third parties, budget breakdown, images of designs etc.).
All complying applications will be assessed by an NSW Ports review panel according to the strength of the project against the eligibility criteria and project requirements.
Can I still apply even if I have received a grant from NSW Ports in the past?
Yes, you can still apply. In the application form, please specify what year you previously received a grant from NSW Ports and what project you delivered.
What sort of projects are you looking for?
NSW Ports is seeking to support a range of projects that will benefit members of the local communities near our ports and intermodal terminals.
The business has supported a diverse range of projects in the past, including infrastructure development, the purchase of sports and outdoor equipment, as well as community programs and workshops.
As part of the application, you will be asked to demonstrate how your project will create positive outcomes in the areas of:
- Education
- Health and wellbeing
- Economic development
- Environment
- Arts and culture
- Social welfare
- Emergency services
What kind of projects have been funded in the past?
Examples of past projects include:
- Urban murals developed with an artist to promote the work of a sustainability research centre.
- Conversion of a shipping container into a bicycle storage shed for students to store bikes and scooters at their primary school.
- Development of workshops to help disadvantaged women enter the workforce.
- Construction of a vegetated island to support local wildlife.
- New goal post pads for a local rugby league football club to improve match safety.
- Support for weekly workshops as part of a local Aboriginal Community health initiative for mothers and their children
For full list of our 2024 community grantees, click here.
How much money can be applied for?
Grants of up to $25,000 are available.
What if the project doesn’t happen or my organisation doesn’t use all of the grant funds?
If completion of the project/program/initiative in the manner proposed is no longer possible, the grant recipient must advise NSW Ports as soon as possible so that alternate options can be discussed.
Does the grant include GST?
If you are registered for goods and services tax (GST), the dollar amounts in your application should NOT include GST. GST will be paid by NSW Ports in addition to your grant.
If you are not registered for GST, the dollar amount in your application should NOT include GST. Note that the dollar amount of the grant may be reduced by any GST which may be payable by NSW Ports.
What do you consider as measurable outcomes?
You need to be able to demonstrate the success of your project, so consider what success would look like for your initiative.
Consider how your project will have a positive impact on local communities and how you will be able to demonstrate that impact.
You may wish to include surveys or other methods of data collection to demonstrate these results.
Data may include how many people you’ve helped or how many people have benefited overall from your project; how you would describe the nature of that positive benefit; whether your project was targeted at a particular cohort of the community; and whether your project will have a lasting impact beyond the period in which you delivered the project - will it continue to deliver long-term value in the community, for instance.
This type of data will help NSW Ports assess the feasibility and success of individual projects and the broader program.
What supporting documentation will I need for the application?
You will need to have the following:
- Details of your organisation’s status (e.g. association, company, partnership, trust or charity) including proof of incorporation and/or an ABN.
- Detailed project budget.
- At least one quote for capital works, resources, equipment or materials over $500.
You can attach documents to your online applications if they are an acceptable file type (e.g. Word, Excel, PDF, or JPEG) and don’t exceed the maximum file size.
What is the likelihood of an application being funded?
All complying applications will be assessed by an NSW Ports review panel according to the strength of the project against the eligibility criteria and project requirements.
To give your application the best chance of securing a grant, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each eligibility criterion and project requirement.
Due to caps on funding, it is likely that some applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria may not be invited to participate in the current year’s Community Grants Program. The final decisions in this regard, and the amount of funding to be allocated in each instance (if at all) is at the sole discretion of NSW Ports.
When do I have to use the grant funds by?
The grant funds must be used solely for the approved project/ program/ initiative as set out in the Community Grants Program Agreement and be expended by 30 June 2026.
What time exactly do the applications close on the due date?
You must complete and submit an application form by no later than 5:00pm (AEST) on Sunday, 20 April 2025.
Late applications won’t be accepted.
Can I get an extension for my application?
Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications and program time constraints, we’re not able to accommodate extensions to the application period.
Is there anyone I can contact to find out more about the program?
You can email NSW Ports via community@nswports.com.au if you have further questions.
How do you assess our grant application?
All complying applications will be assessed by an NSW Ports review panel according to the strength of the project against the eligibility criteria and project requirements.
To give your application the best chance of securing a grant, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each eligibility criterion and project requirement.
Due to the number of applications typically received and funding caps, it is likely that some applicants/applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria and project requirements will not be invited to participate in this year’s program.
If I am successful, when is the final acquittal report due?
If your application is successful, NSW Ports will send you a link to complete your final acquittal report upon completion of your project.
This should be submitted within a month of finalising your project.
All acquittal reports for the 2025 program must be submitted no later than 30 June 2026.
Key Dates
Monday 10 March 2025: Applications Open
Sunday 20 April 2025 - 5pm (AEST): Applications Close
Tuesday 10 June 2025: Successful Grantees notified
30 June 2026: Deadline for funding to be expended
