DVA Grants

 

Bomber Command memorial dedication grants

Following strong interest from the Bomber Command veteran community, a travel subsidy of $5,000 and assistance to participate in Australian commemorative services, will also be provided for all other Bomber Command veterans who travel independently to attend the dedication. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is working closely with the Bomber Command Association and the Royal Australian Air Force Association to ensure veterans who are not part of the official mission party receive the advice they need to make their own arrangements to get to London. Australian Bomber Command veterans are encouraged to contact the RAAF Association regarding the grant. Contact details for the RAAF Association can be found at http://www.raafa.org.au/contact/index.html.

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST)

BEST Grant Round 14 (2012-13) is now open

Applications are now open for BEST funding as part of Round 14 (2012-13).

Applicants are advised to read the BEST Grants Application Guidelines (PDF 258KB) (Word 317KB) before completing their application.

The Application Form for BEST Round 14 (PDF 368KB) is available here.

Please note that in previous years, grants for national organisations were applied for as part of the BEST program. While still a part of BEST, this year there is a separate application process for these grants (see below).

Grants for National Organisations (2012-13)

The Grants for National Organisations program aims to support the role of national ex-service organisations (ESOs) which provide co-ordinating and representational support within the veteran and Defence communities.

Applicants for these grants are advised to read the Grants for National Organisations Application Guidelines (PDF 158KB) (Word 139KB) before completing their application.

The Application Form for Grants for National Organisations (PDF 286KB) is available here.

What is the BEST program?

The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Grants program forms part of the Government’s commitment to support the role of ex-service organisation (ESO) pensions and welfare practitioners and advocates, who provide advice and assistance to the veteran and Defence communities. BEST assists by providing a contribution to the work of ESO practitioners. BEST links closely to the Training and Information Program (TIP). TIP provides the essential skills for claims, advocacy and welfare work in organisations that receive BEST funding.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the BEST program are to:

  • improve the quality of claims received at the primary determining level, and assist ESOs in achieving this objective;
  • reduce the rate of appeals to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB) and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT); and
  • promote the provision of welfare services and assist with access to the veteran and defence community. BEST-funded organisations will provide information on a wide range of available welfare services and benefits.

Service Delivery Integration Grant

Applications for the Service Delivery Integration (SDI) Grant closed on 30 November 2011.

The documents below are for information only.

SDI Application Kit documents:

The SDI grant was a one-off grant to assist organisations to conduct feasibility studies to identify more collaborative and efficient arrangements for the provision of pensions, advocacy and welfare services to veterans into the future.

Organisations that applied for Phase 1 funding are now eligible for consideration for Phase 2 funding provided they submit a completed Service Delivery Integration Plan.

The final date for submission of a Service Delivery Integration Plan is 30 March 2012.

For further information about the SDI Grant please call 1800 026 185 and ask to speak to a member of the SDI Grants Team or email advocacywelfare@dva.gov.au.

Review of DVA-funded Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) Advocacy and Welfare Services

The full Review Report (PDF 625 KB) (RTF 11 MB), Charts and Graphs (PDF 221 KB) (RTF 49 MB) are available at this link. The recommendations in the Report endeavoured to build increased consistency in approach within and across the three grant programs, and give a greater degree of transparency and accountability, while endeavouring to establish program structures that will see their contribution well into the future. In doing so, the review accounted for the valuable contribution of the volunteer workforce which always has the welfare and interests of the veteran community as its priority. The Government has accepted all 45 recommendations which are being implemented progressively.

Saluting Their Service commemorations grants

Saluting Their Service grants support projects and activities which directly commemorate Australia’s servicemen and women who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations to promote appreciation and understanding of the role those who served have played in shaping the nation.

See: Details about Saluting Their Service grants and how to apply

Veteran and Community grants

One of the recommendations to come out of the Review of DVA funded Ex-service Organisations (ESOs) Advocacy and Welfare Services, involved the reduction of the number of funding rounds for the Veteran and Community Grants Program (V&CG), from three to two for the 2011-12 financial year.

We are in the process of confirming when the two funding rounds will be held so please check this site regularly for up-dates.

V&C grants aim to improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community by providing financial assistance for activities, services and projects to sustain and/or enhance wellbeing.

V&C has been reviewed as part of the Review of DVA-funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services.

For more information about V&C grants see Details about V&C grants and how to apply.

Long Tan bursary

The Long Tan bursary provides funding to help Australian Vietnam Veterans' children meet the cost of tertiary education and help them obtain formal qualifications and skills needed to pursue their chosen career.

See: Details about Long Tan bursary and how to apply

More information

See factsheets: