The Australian Government's Infrastructure for Multicultural Communities program is one of the larger capital grants open to community groups this year, with up to $41.6 million to spend.[1] Batch 2 closes at 4pm AEDT on Thursday 12 November 2026.[1] With two weeks to go, here is what it funds, and how to tell whether your group can realistically get an application in.
How the money is split
The program has three streams, with grants excluding GST:[1]
- Stream 1, amenity projects: $20,000 to $100,000
- Stream 2, small to medium infrastructure: $100,001 to $500,000
- Stream 3, larger infrastructure: $500,001 to $1.5 million
You will need to contribute part of the cost. In Streams 1 and 2 that is 2% of the total project cost for priority groups or projects and 25% for everyone else. In Stream 3 it is more than 2% for priority groups and 50% for everyone else.[1]
Priority groups include new and emerging multicultural communities, and projects that benefit multicultural women, multicultural LGBTIQA+ people and multicultural people with disability.[1] For a priority project, the contribution is small enough that many groups can find it.
What it pays for
Construction, upgrades and extensions of infrastructure that benefits multicultural communities, for example:[1]
- community hubs and centres
- museums, libraries and art spaces
- food preparation areas, dining spaces, bathrooms and barbecue facilities
- meeting and conference rooms
- stages, auditoriums and performing arts spaces
- sporting and physical activity spaces
It doesn't fund ongoing services, or the running and maintenance of a finished building.[1] The project also can't start before a grant is offered.[1]
The documents that decide whether you can make 12 November
The Home Affairs page lists required attachments that take longer than the writing:[1]
- a project budget on the mandatory template
- a project and risk management plan on the mandatory template
- evidence that you own the land, or the landowner's approval
The last one is the usual blocker. If your hall or clubhouse sits on council or Crown land, landowner approval can take weeks. If you already hold it, or own the site, along with recent quotes, a two-week application is achievable for a Stream 1 amenity project. If you don't, a rushed application is unlikely to be competitive, and your time is better spent preparing for the next opportunity.
One application only
Batch 1 closed on 18 May 2026, with outcomes expected in October 2026.[1] Organisations can lodge only one application across the two batches.[1] If you applied in Batch 1, you can't lodge again in Batch 2.
Where to get the guidelines
The full Grant Opportunity Guidelines and the application form are on GrantConnect, linked from the Home Affairs program page.[1][2] The 7 October information session was postponed, but a recording of the May session is available on the program page.[1]
This guide reflects the Home Affairs program page as updated 8 October 2026. It doesn't replace the grant opportunity guidelines.