Port Authority is proud to announce the recipients of our 2026 Community Grants Program. These eleven outstanding projects reflect our commitment to supporting vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities across our port regions. Each initiative was selected for its strong community impact, connection to the maritime environment, sustainability attributes and alignment with our core values.
Image: Awabakal Ltd: Newcastle NAIDOC Family Festival
2026 community grant recipients
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Volunteer-run Scouting group based on the shores of the Parramatta River at Abbotsford, within the Bays Port/Sydney Harbour area. Support for entirely water-based programs for approximately 60–80 young people aged five to twenty-five, including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, water safety, navigation, and first aid. Find out more about 2nd Abbotsford “Port Neptune” Sea Scouts |
| Project to expand the Wright of Passage youth boat building program as they relocate from Woolwich Dock to Hunters Hill High School. Mentoring program that teaches disadvantaged youth vessel restoration and maritime skills. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Community education initiative designed to improve water safety and promote environmental protection in Botany Bay and surrounding foreshore areas. |
| Program serves young adults aged 17–35 with mild disability and neurodivergence who have low support needs and are working towards open employment in various industries. This grant will expand into maritime by covering maritime industry excursions, maritime guest speaker series, curriculum resources, accessibility and transport support, program evaluation and impact reporting. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Interactive bushcraft boat building events across the Newcastle port community. Provides guided instruction on making traditional bark boats followed by a free-play session where participants engineer their own vessels. |
| The 2026 Newcastle NAIDOC Day celebration is a key event that draws between 10,000 and 12,000 attendees each year, making it one of the largest gatherings in the region for Aboriginal people. This annual celebration is an exciting opportunity to engage with the local community, celebrate our shared culture, and showcase the spirit of reconciliation. |
| Support to enhance Newcastle Tourism Industry Group’s Cruise Welcome Volunteer Program, which provides a coordinated, community-led welcome for cruise ship passengers arriving via the Port of Newcastle. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| 20-year anniversary events supporting surfing and wellness program promoting community wellbeing and environmental advocacy. Engaging a diverse Port Kembla community including youth, retirees, and environmental groups. |
| From Port to Plate Program will deliver 1,100 nutritious, ready to eat meals to people experiencing food insecurity across the Port Kembla region. Reaching First Nations communities, families, and individuals at risk of homelessness, the program provides dignified, immediate food relief that improves wellbeing within the local port community. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| A capacity-building initiative centred in Eden, to expand local whale, dolphin, seal and dugong rescue capability by delivering fully subsidised training for up to 40 community members. |
| Supporting Eden’s premier annual festival, celebrating marine life and community spirit with up to 10,000 attendees taking place 16-18 October 2026. |
Who can apply?
Grants are available for local, community-based projects and activities, including:
- Charities and not-for-profit organisations
- Community groups
- Schools, universities, and other educational institutions
- Youth programs and activities
- Community development projects
- Sports and arts organisations
- First Nations community groups
The following organisations are not eligible:
- Local councils
- State and Federal government departments and associated entities
- For profit organisations and commercial enterprises
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a community grant, the project or program must be located within 10km of one of our ports. These are Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle, Port Kembla, Yamba, and Eden. View maps of our six port locations.
Key dates
| 26 March 2026 | Applications Open |
|---|---|
| 5 May 2026 | Applications Close |
| May- June 2026 | Community Grant Assessment Period Port Authority approval of successful grant recipients |
| July 2026 | Notification to all applicants and distribution of funding to successful grant recipients |
| 30 June 2027 | Projects completed |
Which port communities are eligible for the grant?
Communities based within 10km of our ports are eligible to apply.
These are Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle, Port Kembla, Yamba, and Eden.
Frequently asked questions
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The Community Grants Program is an initiative by the Port Authority to provide annual grants supporting projects, events, and initiatives that benefit the local communities where we operate.
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The Community Grants Program is an initiative by the Port Authority to provide annual grants supporting projects, events, and initiatives that benefit the local communities where we operate.
-
Grants are available for local, community-based projects and activities, including:
- Charities and not-for-profit organisations
- Community groups
- Schools, universities, and other educational institutions
- Youth programs and activities
- Community development projects
- Sports and arts organisations
- First Nations community groups
The following organisations are not eligible:
- Local councils
- State and Federal government departments and associated entities
- For profit organisations and commercial enterprises
Port Authority will not award grants that benefit only individuals, political candidates, or do not support the broader community. Multi-year applications are not supported.
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Yes, organisations that applied for our grants program last year are welcome to re-apply this year. This includes applicants who were successful and received funding previously, as well as those who were not successful. All eligible groups are encouraged to submit a new application for the current funding round.
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Community grants between $2,000 to $5,000 (excluding GST) for one-year programs.
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All eligible grant applications will be assessed by a panel of Port Authority employees including local Port Authority representatives according to the selection criteria.
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Applications for the 2026 community grant funding program will close Tuesday 5 May 2026. Judging will take place in June, with applicants to be notified of the outcome in July 2026.
For further information please email enquiries@portauthoritynsw.com.au
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Projects can commence following signing and returning the Community Grant Agreement Letter to Port Authority along with a valid Tax Invoice.
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An organisation must meet the following criteria to qualify for funding:
- Connection to one of the local port communities.
- Show a positive community impact.
- Align with Port Authority’s vision and values.
- Applications that connect with the maritime industry and support sustainability will be prioritised.
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Organisations can apply for funding from the following port communities:
- Port Botany
- Bays Port / Sydney Harbour
- Newcastle Harbour
- Port of Yamba
- Port Kembla
- Port of Eden
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Applications will open Thursday 26 March 2026. Interested organisations can apply by submitting a Community Grant Application Form. The applications will be reviewed by the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Team and assessed by an Advisory Group and Executive Team.
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Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Connection to the port community
- Community impact
- Alignment with Port Authority’s strategic objectives and values
- Support for sustainability and NetZero goals
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The successful grant applicants will be announced week commencing 6 July 2026.
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The new community grants program will be promoted through our social media channels, website, press releases, and email communications.
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For more information, contact us via email at enquiries@portauthoritynsw.com.au or call our enquiry line at 02 9296 4962.
2025 community grant recipients
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Creative workshops using reclaimed materials to educate school students and the wider community about marine litter and the impact on local ecosystems.
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| Workshops for at-risk youth who are coached and mentored as they undertake trade-based boat-building projects to gain workplace experience and maritime skills. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Purchase of a simulated radio console to train and assess new volunteers in radio operations, improving emergency response capabilities that local and visiting recreational boaters rely upon.
|
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Free youth swimming clinics across the Newcastle region, promoting swimming as a vital life skill while fostering coaching development and community engagement. Fostering inclusion across different backgrounds and abilities.
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| Sailing program on Newcastle harbour empowering disadvantaged and disabled youth through maritime skills, teamwork, and confidence-building. |
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| New Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) equipment for their rescue vessel to enhance the detection of individuals in the water, especially during night-time operations. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Surfing and wellness program promoting community wellbeing and environmental advocacy. Engaging a diverse Port Kembla community including youth, retirees, and environmental groups. |
| Installation of Automated External Defibrillators in high-traffic areas of the Port Kembla community to provide life-saving equipment for port users, beachgoers and visitors. Find out more about Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Supporting Eden’s premier annual festival, celebrating marine life and community spirit with up to 10,000 attendees taking place 3-5 October 2025. |
| Organisation | Project |
|---|---|
| Free youth swimming clinics across the Yamba region, promoting swimming as a vital life skill while fostering coaching development and community engagement. Fostering inclusion across different backgrounds and abilities. |
Community grant project completion form
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