GrantConnect Australia
Australian Government's central grants platform publishing all Commonwealth grant opportunities and awarded grant data, mandated for all Australian Government agencies.
Overview
GrantConnect is the Australian Government's mandatory grants platform where all Commonwealth Government entities must publish their grant opportunities and awarded grants information. Managed by the Department of Finance, GrantConnect provides a single searchable point of access for all Australian federal government grants in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs). It ensures transparency and accessibility by requiring all Commonwealth agencies - from ARENA and AusIndustry to DFAT and the NHMRC - to publish opportunities before they open and outcomes after they close.
What You Can Find Here
- All open Commonwealth Government grant opportunities across all federal agencies
- Forecast grant opportunities - upcoming grants not yet open for application
- Awarded grants data - who received grants, how much, and for what purpose
- Grants from specialized agencies: NHMRC (health research), ARC (research), ARENA (energy), DISR (industry)
- Community, arts, regional, and social services grants from DCCEEW, DAFF, and DSS
- Defense, diplomatic, and international development grants from DFAT and DoD
Who Should Use This
- Any organisation seeking Australian Commonwealth Government grants across all sectors and programs
- Grant professionals and advisors conducting systematic federal funding searches
- Researchers and universities tracking NHMRC and ARC grant opportunities
- Nonprofits and community organisations seeking Commonwealth community grants
- Businesses seeking industry, export, R&D, or regional development federal grants
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit grantconnect.gov.au and search or browse open grant opportunities
- Step 2: Filter by category, administering agency, value, open/forecast, or closing date
- Step 3: Click on an opportunity to read the grant guidelines and access the application portal link
- Step 4: Register your organisation on SmartyGrants or the relevant agency portal to apply
- Step 5: Monitor GrantConnect for forecast grants to plan applications in advance
Things to Check Before Applying
- GrantConnect lists opportunities but most applications are made through the relevant agency's own portal or SmartyGrants
- Some Commonwealth grants are closed (invite-only or pre-selected recipients) - GrantConnect still lists awarded data for transparency
- Forecast grants are not yet open - monitor them for when they transition to open status
- GrantConnect covers Commonwealth grants only - for state/territory grants use business.gov.au or state-specific portals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GrantConnect the same as business.gov.au?
Different but complementary. GrantConnect is the mandatory publication platform for Commonwealth grants for all entity types. business.gov.au is focused on business and provides links to GrantConnect plus additional business-specific tools.
Can individuals apply through GrantConnect?
GrantConnect lists programs for all entity types including some for individuals (scholarships, fellowships). Most Commonwealth grants target organisations.
How often is GrantConnect updated?
All Commonwealth agencies are required to publish grants before opening and outcomes after closing. GrantConnect is updated continuously as agencies publish new opportunities.
Can I see past grant awards on GrantConnect?
Yes. GrantConnect publishes awarded grant data showing recipients, amounts, and grant descriptions for all Commonwealth grants, promoting transparency.
What is SmartyGrants?
SmartyGrants is a third-party grants management platform used by many Australian Commonwealth and state government agencies to manage applications. You may need a SmartyGrants account to apply for many federal grants.
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