Blog — The Grants Hub

Australia Post Community Grants 2026

Written by The Grants Hub | 8 Jun 2026

Grant of the Week

Australia Post Community Grants Open Today!

One of The Grants Hub community’s favourite grants is the Australia Post Community Grants Program, and it’s open for another round!

Here’s a quick wrap of the funding program:

  • Grants open 10am TODAY (Tuesday 9 June 2026, AEST)
  • Grants close 11:59pm Monday 6 July 2026 (AEST)
  • Grants up to $10,000 are available
  • The focus is community-led, local projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and mental wellbeing.
  • Successful applicants will be notified late September 2026.

Q&A with Australia Post’s Community Manager

I love connecting with funding providers and learning about the ins and outs of their funding programs, as well as hearing about their heart for the program and community. Here's what Australia Post Community Manager, Emma Burmeister, had to share about the Australia Post Community Grants Program for 2026.

Jessie
Founder of The Grants Hub

 

Australia Post is once again offering grants up to $10,000 for mental health and wellbeing. Can you tell us more about the program?

The Australia Post Community Grants program supports local community organisations across Australia, who run projects to help people connect and stay mentally well. Each year, not-for-profit community groups can apply to receive a grant of up to $10,000 for local, community-led projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and mental wellbeing.

In the past, we've funded groups like She Shed Cairns, Seed Lakeside Community Garden, The Garden Village, Music for Canberra, Be Hers, Bright Side Mamas and Mentoring Men, who are all driving standout community-led mental health and mental wellbeing projects.

Last year Australia Post expanded the total funding available by $250,000, specifically to support disaster-impacted communities. Is that same funding available this year?

Yes! Australia Post also has a proud history of supporting communities during, and after, disasters, acting as a vital connector and provider of essential resources and support. We recognise the impacts of disasters and major storm events on mental wellbeing can be profound and long-lasting.

This year, I’m pleased to share that we’re once again offering the additional grants totalling up to $250,000, to support disaster-impacted communities across Australia. These funds will be dedicated to projects that enhance mental wellbeing by fostering connection and building resilience within communities recovering from a natural disaster or major storm event.

What types of projects and activities does the grant fund?

We fund activities or expenses that have the primary purpose of directly improving connection and mental wellbeing of individuals within a community.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Communications, including website setup, online forums, newsletters and advertising
  • Equipment, supplies or materials, including electronic equipment (e.g. tools, computers and tablets)
  • Outreach and referral support
  • Project evaluation
  • Program coordination and facilitation
  • Refreshments (excluding alcohol)
  • Skills development, training and workshops
  • Travel costs for participants
  • Venue hire, including furniture hire/purchase.

It’s important that any organisation considering applying meets the following eligibility criteria:

  1. The primary purpose of the project must be to improve mental health and mental wellbeing outcomes of a community
  2. The project aims to help people meaningfully connect in their local community for improved mental health and mental wellbeing outcomes
  3. The project must be a locally-led and locally-delivered project that aims to improve mental health and mental wellbeing outcomes of a community.

For applications relating to disaster-related projects, in addition to the above:

  1. The project must support a disaster-impacted community for improved connection, wellbeing and/or resilience.

More details on organisation and project eligibility can be found on our website.

What type of organisations can apply for the Australia Post Community Grant? Do they need to have DGR status (tax deductibility status)?

I would encourage potential applicants to read all the details in full on our website, but the summary is:

  • Organisations must be an incorporated not-for-profit
  • Organisations must have an ABN with the registration reflecting the organisation's incorporated not-for-profit status
  • Organisations must have an Australian bank account
  • The organisation must be located, and provided services, within Australia
  • DGR status is not required
  • Unincorporated entities, individuals, sole traders, government entities and educational institutions are ineligible.

Not-for-profit social enterprises are eligible if 100% of profits are directed back into the business to support the mission.

We know Australia Post receives a huge number of applications each year. It’s a highly competitive program with only a small percentage of applications being successful. Do you have any tips for helping applicants stand out?

It’s true we receive a lot of applications. In 2025, only 8% of applications submitted were successful. But it’s clear that The Grants Hub community is well informed and takes the time to check organisation and project eligibility. 1 in 3 successful applicants came through The Grants Hub!

That’s the first tip: make sure your organisation and project is eligible.

You may also like to be considered for a smaller grant of $4,000, if you’re unsuccessful in obtaining the full $10,000. You will be asked this in the application process, so perhaps start considering this now.

Some other top tips, in addition to tips on our website, are:

  1. Make sure your project meets all three objectives (mental health is the primary focus, the project helps people meaningfully connect and is locally-led and delivered)

  2. Ensure your budget contains enough detail and that income and expenses match

  3. Simple is best. Use short, concise language that will be easily read by assessors who are processing a large number of applications

  4. Your application should clearly outline the community need your project is addressing, why the approach is effective and where relevant, include evidence (such as statistics, surveys, or research)

And a quick wrap of the grant details for people to share with a group or organisation they know?

  • Grants open 10am Tuesday 9 June 2026 (AEST)
  • Grants close 11:59pm Monday 6 July 2026 (AEST)
  • Grants up to $10,000 are available
  • The focus is local, community-led projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and mental wellbeing
  • Up to $250,000 in total funding is available to support disaster-impacted communities
  • Successful applications will be notified late September 2026.