The Albanese Labor Government has committed around $150 million each year to supporting Australians experiencing financial hardship with the opening of multiple grant rounds today for Financial Wellbeing and Capability programs.
From 1 July 2025, the new 5-year grants will ensure a range of financial wellbeing services are available for vulnerable individuals and families, from pre-crisis and early supports, to financial crisis response, recovery and resilience supports.
In addition to supporting the financial wellbeing of Australians, these grant rounds continue to deliver on the Government's commitment for longer term grant agreements, where they are appropriate, to provide certainty for service providers delivering these critical services. They will also allow the sector to plan, collaborate and innovate.
Applications are now open for the following grant programs:
- Emergency Relief
- Food Relief (and Material Aid)
- Commonwealth Financial Counselling and Financial Capability
- Financial Counselling for Gambling
- Financial Wellbeing Hubs.
Closed grant processes will follow for the National Debt Helpline, No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS), NILS for Vehicles, Saver Plus and Financial Counselling and Capability Sector Support programs.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said that the opening of the grant rounds is a demonstration of the Government's long-term commitment to improving services for Australians doing it tough, and to supporting community organisations across the country.
"The Albanese Labor Government understands that financial wellbeing providers such as Emergency Relief and Food Relief organisations play an essential role in the supply of frontline support services and are critical to the ongoing support for communities across Australia," Minister Rishworth said.
"It is clear now more than ever, during this cost-of-living crisis, that the Government continues to do all that we can to help out the most vulnerable members of our community. This is a commitment that we are taking very seriously, which is why this funding is designed to provide financial counselling services, or access to fair and safe no interest loans, or food relief for those in need.
Since 2022, the Australia Government has committed an additional $170.9 million through the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity, with these grant rounds building on recent investments.
"We want to cover all bases, and ensure our grants respond to client and community demand, have national coverage including in regional, remote, and rural areas but also have a focus on pre-crisis supports to build long-term financial capability and resilience."
Ongoing funding has increased to around $150 million each year representing the highest investment by government in financial wellbeing programs.
Minister Rishworth said this latest grant funding will allow providers to provide immediate and targeted support to people in financial crisis, including from unexpected life events or financial shocks, cost-of-living pressures and natural disasters.
"Our government recognises the growing demand for financial wellbeing services throughout the nation, and these grants represent our continuous and growing approaches to support the organisations that support you."
Organisations can apply for grant rounds by visiting the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au.
Current Financial Wellbeing and Capability services continue to be available now for individuals and communities. Details and locations of nearby funded providers are available on the Department Of Social Services website.
