Marking (First World War) Private Graves Grants Program

The Marking (First World War) Private Graves (MPG) Grants Program provides funding assistance to mark the unmarked private graves of First World War veterans.

What is the Marking (First World War) Private Graves (MPG) Grants Program

Throughout Australia, there are committed individuals and groups working to identify the unmarked graves of First World War veterans, and marking these graves to ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered.

Community groups, ex-service organisations and individuals can now apply for funding assistance to mark unmarked private graves of First World War veterans. 

The MPG Grants Program provides veterans who are not eligible for commemoration through the Office of Australian War Graves, the opportunity to have their war service recognised at the site of their interment.

Ongoing maintenance of these private graves and their markers will rest with applicants or by arrangements with the relevant cemetery authority.

How can the grants be used

In 2024-25, the MPG Grants Program will provide one-off funding of up to $620 per grave to assist with the purchase of a grave marker for unmarked private graves of veterans of the First World War.  You can seek funding for up to 10 grave markers in each individual application.  

MPG grants can be used for;

• the manufacture and supply of a new plaque or gravestone marker
• materials and/or labour required to install or affix the marker.

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must be one of the eligible entity types listed in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

How do I apply

If you are considering applying for funding assistance, there are several steps that must be undertaken prior to making an application. 

Before you apply, some of the documentation you will need to have obtained includes:

• an assessment of the veteran for eligibility for official commemoration from the Repatriation Commission
• permission from descendants and/or burial right holder to alter the veteran’s private grave
• a formal quote for the total cost of the marker.

Applicants are encouraged to seek an assessment by the Repatriation Commission as soon as possible to determine whether the veteran may have died of causes related to their First World War service. First World War veterans who died of service-related causes may be eligible for an official commemoration provided by the Australian Government and maintained in perpetuity. 

Applications regarding the veteran’s eligibility for official commemoration can be made by writing to the Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans' Affairs, GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001, or via email at compensation.claims [at] dva.gov.au (compensation[dot]claims[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au).

All DVA grants are advertised on the GrantConnect website, including information about the grant and how to apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all grant opportunity documentation, especially the guidelines and any instructions in the application form.  The grant opportunity documentation is specific to each round and contains important information about the purpose of the program, eligibility and compliance requirements, eligible items, timeframes and how to apply.

You can register on GrantConnect to receive notifications of any new grant opportunities that may become available.

More information can be found at Getting started with GrantConnect.

Assistance with your application can be obtained through the Community Grants Hub. Phone 1800 020 283 or send an email to support [at] communitygrants.gov.au (support[at]communitygrants[dot]gov[dot]au)

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

How are applications assessed

Applications are assessed based on the criteria set out in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Recommendations are provided to the Director of War Graves, 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 grant agreement.  Payments are made after the applicant has correctly signed and returned the grant agreement.

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.