Budget announcements can be overwhelming. An avalanche of big numbers, too much government speak and lots of opinions. And depending on who you are listening to or what article you are reading, the list of winners and those overlooked will differ.
Given this, it has been quite a process to unpack the Federal Government 2021/22 Budget. To help with the overwhelming amounts of information out there, we’ve kept things simple and broke down what this new budget means on the ground across some of our sectors.
A key take away was a focus on extending funds for initiatives that have been working in our nation’s economic recovery. The 2021/22 Budget is committed to maintaining this momentum for economic recovery following the impacts from both Bushfires and Covid-19 pandemic - The Budget is also taking a much stronger look into our community recovery as well.
So here are some key outcomes that the budget will be delivering in your community in the near future.
Infrastructure
A $15.2 billion commitment to infrastructure over the next ten years. Infrastructure always seems to be a major feature in any budget announcement. It’s considered a big winner for stimulating the economy, job creation (it is estimated that infrastructure projects alone will support over 30,000 jobs) and delivering a range of built systems and infrastructure to benefit our communities.
We can see some big money being invested into several major projects across Australia - but what does this mean for infrastructure grants? The Budget will continue the success of existing Federal Grant Programs that fund both small and large infrastructure projects. Some of these include the Building Better Regions Fund (Infrastructure Project Stream) for grants of $20,000 to $10 million and the Stronger Communities Program which provides funding between $2,500 and $20,000 for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities across Australia
Whilst these programs are not currently open, we have confidence that these will continue in their usual cyclical structure. Take a look at our Directory for other infrastructure funding that is currently available.
Health and well-being
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The 2021/22 Budget will provide a record investment in the health of Australians, with $2.3 billion dedicated to creating a more compassionate response to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.
This investment has been welcomed by the National Mental Health Commission Chair, Lucy Brogden AM, who has described the 2021-2022 Federal Budget as, “a genuine shift in our national response to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.”
Priority areas for the budget include; prevention and early intervention, treatment, support for the vulnerable, expanding the workforce and better governance. While we can assume that funding will be directed to specific services to deliver in these areas, we also hope to see some new grant programs created to address service gaps and provide alternative and accessible support in the community.
This focus strongly aligns to the types of funding that continues to be a top search in our Directory, and we are pleased to see a number of grant programs currently open that have a health and well-being emphasis.
Aged Services
It is a relief to see that the Budget will be addressing recent findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission, where it was estimated that one in three people living in aged care in Australia experience neglect, physical or emotional abuse.
A total of $17.7 billion has been allocated to reform aged care to improve the safety, transparency and quality of care for our most vulnerable citizens (and some of our most loved family members). Guided by the principles of respect, care and dignity, funding will be targeted in areas that support our ageing population to stay in their own homes longer, increase care minutes per residents each day, upgrade essential aged care infrastructure and increase access to respite services.
This budget also will also provide a financial uplift for many-valued aged care works, including retention bonuses and expanding training places to build capacity and capability.
With such a strong commitment to reform the current system, we can imagine that this will flow through to grant programs and a potential reshape of these over the next few years to deliver on new priorities and focus areas. We will keep you up to date on these opportunities as they arise, but don’t miss out on current opportunities to support our ageing community.
Domestic Violence
It is reported that approximately one in four women (23%) have experienced violence by an intimate partner. The Federal Government is responding to this growing and distressing trend by committing $1.1 billion in funding for women’s safety, including frontline domestic violence programs, cash support for women fleeing violence and greater support with and access to the legal system. Additional support programs will also be targeted to more vulnerable women in our community.
Whilst this funding is being welcomed as a significant inclusion in the Budget, there are many advocating that it is still not enough to address this complex and sensitive topic. We are looking forward to hearing more on how this budget commitment will shape new grant programs to support the many valued services and experts within our community who provide immediate relief and support and their ongoing efforts to empower and celebrate women.
Education
Key areas of attention for education in the Budget include childcare, pre-schools and job training. However, in a challenging year with border closures and therefore loss of international students, universities have been overlooked.
The cost of childcare, which has always been raised as a barrier for return to work, will be reduced for many families with a $1.7 billion investment to make the service more affordable.
Employers and Group Training Organisations will be given an extra incentive to employ apprentices and trainees, with expanded entitlements via the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements. A total $24.7 million will be provided to the Next Generation AI Graduates Program over the next six years to attract and train AI specialists, and in a big win for women, $42.4 million will be provided for the Next Generation of Women in STEM over the next seven years.
Whilst private and catholic schools will receive $14.7 billion in 2021/22 (up from 13% the previous year), public schools which are primarily funded by state and territory governments, will receive $9.7 billion (up from 7.5% the previous year).
An additional $40.8 million over two years has been committed to continuing the popular Sporting Schools - Programme Delivery Grant. The Sporting Schools program is targeted to primary schools to support the delivery of a range of sporting programs to increase children’s interest and participation in sport.
Education & Training continues to be a popular search topic in our Directory, with a variety of grants currently available.
The above outline is only one perspective and a small glimpse of what the budget will be delivering in the next few years. Our perspective has a strong emphasis on community-focused initiatives and services, however, there are a number of funding implications and opportunities for other sectors. This includes businesses and other individual areas of interest such as income tax, homeowners and retirees. Read more here from the Federal Government.
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