Funding to help build community resilience to disasters
How to apply for the Disaster Ready Fund. The fund is for projects to manage the physical, social and economic impacts of disasters caused by climate change and other natural hazards.
Applications closed at 5:00 pm on 16 April 2025
Disaster Ready Fund Round Three
This grant is for projects that address the physical and social impacts of disasters on our community. The Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund funds the grant.
Who this is for
Organisations or businesses.
What you get
Successful projects get a percentage of the total project costs. You must fund the remaining costs.
- Most projects can receive up to 50% of the total project cost.
- Not-for-profit organisations must contribute at least 20% of the total project cost.
- First Nations organisations must contribute at least 10% of the total project cost.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you're:
- a non-government organisation
- a peak body
- a university or research institution
- a community group
- a business (projects cannot focus on profit or commercial gain)
- an ACT Government agency.
Consortiums of organisations or groups can also apply.
You must have an ABN or be an entity able to enter into a legally binding agreement.
What you can do
We are looking for projects or ideas to help the ACT community prepare for and recover from:
- bushfires
- heatwaves
- storms
- floods
- extreme weather events.
Projects must:
- aim to benefit the ACT
- align with the ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy 2024 - 2030
- meet the objectives of the Disaster Ready Fund.
You must finish your project within 3 years.
For infrastructure projects there is a:
- minimum total project value of $500,000
- longer time frame of 5 years.
Round Three documents
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NEMA DRF Round Three Program Guidelines
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ACT DRF Round Three Administration Guidelines [PDF 388 KB]
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Guidance on preparing a good application [PDF 136 KB]
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Application checklist [PDF 229 KB]
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Indicative budget template [XLSX 30 KB]
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Lead agency confirmation letter (if required) [DOCX 129 KB]
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Delivery partner support letter (if required) [DOCX 120 KB]
After you apply
We'll assess your application and submit the suitable projects to the Commonwealth Government for assessment.
The Commonwealth Government will announce the successful projects later in the year. You'll find out then if your project is successful.
The Commonwealth and ACT Governments sign a funding agreement confirming funding amounts and reporting requirements.
Successful projects must:
- develop a project implementation plan within 3 months of the funding agreement being signed
- report on progress quarterly.
You do not receive funds upfront. We will reimburse you when you give us evidence money has been spent.
Past projects
Find out about past grant recipients and projects on the National Emergency Management Agency website.
Other environmental grants
Contact us
Security and Emergency Management Division
If you need help or have questions, contact us.
Email
DRF@act.gov.au