2026-27 BEST Program grant opportunity

How can the grants be used?

BEST grants are available to assist with:

• ESOs that offer free wellbeing and/or compensation advocacy services and are registered on the ATDP Advocacy Register
• equipment, administrative expense, and assistance related to the provision of free advocacy services
• salary costs for:
  • compensation advocates who help veterans with their claims for free
  • ATDP enrolled trainees
  • compensation and administrative assistants who support this work
  • wellbeing advocates who provide veteran and defence community members with information and assist with, access to health, housing, bereavement support and other community services and benefits.

BEST Program grants provide a contribution towards the costs incurred by ESOs in providing advocacy services. The grants may not cover all the costs associated with employing advocates, and organisations are expected to provide in kind or other support.

For a full list of eligible and ineligible grant activities and expenses refer to section 5 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on the GrantConnect website.

Who can apply?

ESOs that have at least one Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) qualified advocate in their organisation can apply for BEST Program grant funding. ESOs are required to be registered on the Accredited Advocate Register and must ensure their details are up to date.

All advocacy work must be undertaken by appropriately qualified ATDP advocates.

The applicant needs to be an incorporated entity. Alternatively, an incorporated ESO can sponsor an unincorporated ESO to submit an application. See section 4.3 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on GrantConnect for further information.

How do I apply?

The BEST Program is a demand driven grant opportunity that accepts applications once every 3 years.

The application form for 2026-27 has changed.

This factsheet provides information on how to fill out the application form and mandatory attachments:

• Completing your new BEST Program application forms (DOCX 1.9 MB)
• Completing your new BEST Program application forms (PDF 812 KB)

DVA grants are advertised on the GrantConnect website, including information about the grant opportunity . You must submit your application using the application form which is available on GrantConnect.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all grant opportunity documentation, especially the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and any instructions in the application form as the information requirements for the BEST Program have changed.

Grant Opportunity Guidelines are specific to each round and contain important information about the purpose of the program, eligibility and compliance requirements, eligible items, timeframes and how to apply.

More information can be found at Getting started with GrantConnect.

If you need technical assistance, you can visit the Community Grants Hub website Contact us page.

If you think you may need help with your application, please ask early. This will help to resolve any problems in time for your application to be considered for funding.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are considered based on the eligibility requirements and advocate information as per the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Recommendations are made to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, who is the decision maker.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application after the closing date and when the assessment process is completed.

What happens if my grant application is successful?

If successful, you will be sent a 3 year grant agreement starting in 2026-27.

• Year 1 – 2026–27 – multi-year agreement commences
• Year 2 – 2027–28 – milestone reporting year
• Year 3 – 2028–29 – milestone reporting year & final year of agreement

The first payment will be made after you have correctly signed and returned your grant agreement.

Payments for years 2 (2027-28) and 3 (2028-29) will be made based on the acceptance of milestone reporting.

Grants need to be acquitted when the project is completed and within the timeframe specified in the grant agreement.

You cannot receive another grant until all outstanding DVA grant acquittals have been submitted.

More information

For more information about the 2026-27 BEST Program application process and changes to the program, please refer to the following:

• The new BEST Program presentation
• GrantConnect website — for Grant Opportunity Guidelines, link to application form and Frequently Asked Questions document
• Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) website

If you have any questions during the application period, please contact the Community Grants Hub by emailing support@communitygrants.gov.au or visiting the Community Grants Hub’s Contact us page.