The Australian Government committed $750 million over three years in the 2026-27 Federal Budget for new rounds of the Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions Programs. These programs will deliver investment in locally-driven community infrastructure projects for all Australians.
Providing funding of between $250,000 and $15 million to local government entities for capital works, successful projects will enhance liveability and prosperity across Australia, with applications opening soon.
Eligible entities will be incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government councils.
The programs are competitive with funding to be awarded on a merit basis.
Successful projects inside Greater Capital Cities Statistical Areas, as maintained by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, will be in the Thriving Suburbs Program.
Successful projects outside of those areas will be in the Growing Regions Program. A project eligibility mapping tool will be made available.
Please continue to monitor this page for updates.
Forecast Funding Opportunity
A Forecast Funding Opportunity has now been published for the programs on GrantConnect.
The Forecast Funding Opportunity provides program information and will assist potential applicants to start developing their projects ahead of the program’s opening. Further information on the program, including the application process and forms, will be provided when the programs open.
Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements will be able to submit a full application once the application period opens. Full eligibility requirements and other conditions will be set out in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
Please continue to monitor this page for updates on this Forecast Funding Opportunity and the program guidelines.
Note the Forecast Funding Opportunity is subject to revision, withdrawal or cancellation. Information in forecasted opportunities is provided for planning purposes only. It does not represent a commitment by the Australian Government, is not the approved guidelines and does not provide confirmation that the program is open. Applications cannot be submitted at this time.
Supporting documentation
Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions Program Forecast Funding Opportunity (attach word version supplied as a link)
Previous funding rounds
Thriving Suburbs program
The Australian Government committed $350 million over 3 years, commencing 2024–25, for the first funding round of the Thriving Suburbs Program.
Program funding for round one closed to applications on 2 September 2024.
Funding outcomes
In late 2024, funding was announced for 70 approved projects, delivering approximately $317.7 million to support projects across Australia's urban, suburban and peri-urban communities. The list of approved projects is included in the supporting documentation below.
Supporting documentation
- Thriving Suburbs Program Guidelines (revised)
- Thriving Suburbs Program—funded projects—December 2024
- Thriving Suburbs Program co-funding methodology
- Thriving Suburbs Program multi-party Parliamentary panel
Growing Regions Program
The Australian Government committed $600 million over 4 years, commencing in 2023–24, for two funding rounds of the Growing Regions Program.
The Growing Regions Program end date has been extended to 29 February 2028 to allow approved projects additional time to reach completion.
Round 1
Round 1 opened 5 July 2023 and closed 15 January 2024.
On 16 May 2024, funding was announced for 40 approved projects, delivering approximately $207 million to support projects across Australia's rural and remote communities. The list of approved projects is included in the Round 1 supporting documentation below.
Round 1 supporting documentation
- Growing Regions Program – Round 1 – guidelines (revised)
- Growing Regions Program – Round 1 – successful projects
- Growing Regions Program – Round 1 – co-funding methodology
- Growing Regions Program – Round 1 – multi-party Parliamentary panel
Round 2
Round 2 opened 5 September 2024 and closed 10 October 2024.
In December 2024, funding was announced for 72 projects, delivering approximately $386 million to support projects across Australia's rural and remote communities. The list of approved projects is included in the Round 2 supporting documentation below.
The lists of approved projects are included in the Successful Projects tables.