Port Authority is proud to support the communities where we work. Through our annual Community Grants Program, we will help fund projects, events, and initiatives that benefit local communities.
The program will:
- Reflect our mission, values, and areas of operation.
- Be led by the Port, reflecting local interests and fostering community spirit.
- Strengthen connections and support sustainability between our ports and nearby areas.
Who can apply?
Grants are available for, community-focused projects, 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
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.
How to apply
Complete the application form below.
Please note this form is unable to be saved during the application process so please have all of the information required before you start.
Key dates
| 7 April 2025 | Applications Open |
|---|---|
| 20 May 2025 | Applications Close |
| 20 May- June 2025 | Community Grant Assessment Period Port Authority approval of successful grant recipients |
| July 2025 | Notification to all applicants and distribution of funding to successful grant recipients |
| 30 June 2026 | 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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Applications are open from Monday 7 April 2025.
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Applications must be submitted by 9:00pm, Tuesday 20 May 2025.
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Community-based organisations such as charities, not-for-profits, community groups, schools, educational facilities, youth programs, sporting and arts organisations and First Nations groups are encouraged to apply.
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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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Community grants between $2,000 to $15,000 (excluding GST) for one-year programs.
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All applications will be assessed against evaluation criteria by a panel of Port Authority team members including those who live and work in each of our port communities, senior leaders, and sustainability experts.
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If your grant application is successful, Port Authority will contact you in July 2025 and inform you of the next steps. This will involve
- Signing a Community Grant Agreement Letter outlining your responsibilities.
- Submitting a tax invoice for the grant payment.
- Using the funds for activities until June 2026.
- Reporting results through an online survey.
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If your grant application is unsuccessful, you will be notified by Port Authority. Unfortunately, due to limits on our community grants program not all applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria will be successful.
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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. Projects must be implemented between July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Stay Updated
If you would like to be kept informed on announcements relating to the Community Grants, please sign up to our Port Matters Newsletter below to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
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