For detailed information including the application process, see our Tiny Towns Fund page and Program Guidelines.
About the Fund
The Tiny Towns Fund will support local projects in communities with a population of up to 5,000 people in the 48 local government areas of regional Victoria, Alpine Resorts, and the 10 interface local government areas of Casey City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Hume City Council, Melton City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Whittlesea City Council, Wyndham City Council and the Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
For regional projects, the Fund will be delivered by Regional Development Victoria (RDV), part of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR). For metropolitan interface area projects, the fund will be delivered by the Suburbs team in the Program and Integration branch within the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Eligibility
Who can apply?
To be eligible for this Fund your organisation must:
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be an eligible legal entity type as listed below; and
- operate from a Victorian location
Eligible applicant legal entity types include:
- an incorporated not-for-profit association
- a Victorian local government
- a Crown land Committee of Management
- a Victorian Alpine Resort
- Australian public companies limited by guarantee whose governing rules demonstrate a not-for-profit purpose
- an indigenous organisation incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- an industry association or business chambers; or
- a co-operative, registered in Victoria under the Co-operatives National Law.
Organisations that operate from a Victorian location who are not incorporated entities and/or do not have an ABN, may apply using an auspice arrangement.
What projects and activities are eligible and ineligible?
For all eligibility criteria, please refer to the program guidelines.
Have there been any changes to project eligibility in Round 3?
Yes, in round 3, the following project activities are ineligible:
- sporting facilities infrastructure projects such as:
- sports courts
- sports grounds
- swimming pools
- cricket pitches/training nets
- equestrian facilities
- sports scoreboards
- sports lighting
- players/umpire rooms etc.
Note: projects that improve shared multi-use spaces at sporting facilities that are used by the broader community remain eligible. e.g. event spaces, meeting and community rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, outdoor areas, public amenities etc.
For more information on the types of projects that are eligible or ineligible, refer to the Program Guidelines.
Can I apply for this round if I previously received a Tiny Towns Fund grant?
Applicants that were previously successful under Round one or 2 are ineligible to apply for a project in the same town under Round 3. Previously successful applicants will be required to demonstrate that their previously funded projects have been completed or are nearing completion.
I am not an eligible organisation, can I still apply?
Organisations that operate from a location in Victoria that are not incorporated association and/or do not have a valid current ABN, may apply using an auspice.
An auspice arrangement is when another eligible organisation (‘auspicor’) agrees to assist the applicant (‘auspicee’) with the management and acquittal of grant funds. However, the applicant (‘auspicee’) is still responsible for the delivery and implementation of the grant project.
Only Victorian local governments may act as auspicors for applicants in their jurisdiction. The auspicor accepts responsibility for the project and will agree to comply with all obligations under the grant agreement entered into to receive the grant
Who applies for the grant under an auspice arrangement?
Under an auspice arrangement, only the auspicee can apply. They will be known as the applicant. The auspicor will be known as the grant recipient.
When and how do I need to confirm their auspice arrangement?
Auspice arrangement will need to be confirmed before an application is submitted. The applicant will be required to provide the following in its application:
- organisational and contact details for the auspicor
- written confirmation that the auspisor has agreed to auspice your proposed grant project application. This can be a letter or email from a person holding a senior position at the local council, for example: the CEO, Director etc.
How do I know if my town/location is eligible?
The project must be located in one of the eligible 48 rural and regional Victorian council areas, or Alpine Resorts, or within one of the 10 interface councils of Casey City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Hume City Council, Melton City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Whittlesea City Council, Wyndham City Council and the Yarra Ranges Shire Council (refer to the Fund guidelines for a full list).
The project must be located in an eligible location with a population up to 5,000 people. Eligibility is assessed by the location of the project and not the location of the applicant. The project location cannot be a ‘suburb’ of a regional city or interface cities (e.g., Sebastopol, Geelong West) or other larger regional towns (e.g., Colac West).
You are encouraged to look at the ABS Census Population Data 2021 and you can contact your local RDV office if you're unclear on location eligibility.
Applications with cross-border implications for Victorian communities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applications can be submitted for projects in ineligible locations on the following basis:
- additional data or town population evidence is provided that may support further consideration of locational eligibility
- locations with a population of up to 5,500 (being 10% above the population limit) can request special consideration in acknowledgement that the population data used to assess applications (2021 Census data) may not reflect the current town population.
The department makes final decision on what is considered to be an eligible project location under the Tiny Towns Fund.
How can I find out the population of my town?
You are encouraged to look at the ABS Census Population Data 2021 to find the population of your town. When you click on the link under ‘search by area function’, type in the town name, select the town name under the ‘Suburbs and Localities’ heading, then scroll down the page to Search Results heading and click on the View QuickStats ‘All persons’ button. This will show a summary of the town and the population number.
You can also contact your local RDV office if you're unclear on your location eligibility.
Flexibility will be provided to those locations that are within 10% of the 5,000 population limit on a case by case basis.
Do I need to be registered for GST to apply for the Fund?
Applicants can apply even if they are not registered for GST. Applicants not registered for GST can apply for a maximum grant of $50,000 (inclusive of GST). Applicants not registered for GST must include any GST costs related to the project in the total funding requested. This means if project expenses are costed at $6,000 plus $600 of GST, then the costs must reflect the included GST amount of $6,600.
For organisations that are registered for GST, the cost of the GST must be excluded from the proposed budget. This means if project expenses are costed at $6,600 including $600 of GST, then the costs must reflect the excluded GST amount of $6,000.
If I am not registered for GST what is the maximum grant funding that I can apply for?
Applicants who are not registered or exempt from GST can apply for a maximum grant funding of $50,000, inclusive of GST. If the approved funding is $50,000, the department will only process payments totalling $50,000. Applicants not registered for GST must include any GST costs related to the project in the total grant funding requested, the total grant funding requested cannot exceed $50,000.
What if I don’t know who owns the land that my proposed project is on?
You will need to contact your local council to find out who owns the land or do a search on LANDATA. A title search through LANDATA shows the information held in the Victorian Register of land at the time the search is made.
How do I demonstrate the consent of the landowner where the land is not owned or managed by our organisation?
You can demonstrate the consent of the landowner by including a signed letter of consent from the landowner with your application. If you do not have this, you will need to demonstrate your plan to receive landowner consent in your application form.
Applications submitted without demonstrating the consent of the landowner or a plan to obtain landowner consent may be assessed as ineligible and may not be considered.
Can I submit applications for multiple projects under the Tiny Towns Fund?
You can submit multiple applications, however a maximum amount of $50,000 per town will be applied for Round 2 to enable an equitable and broad geographic spread of funding.
Where there are multiple applicants with projects from the same town, applicants are encouraged to work together, including with local government, to put forward high-quality applications for agreed projects that strongly align with the program guidelines. This could be one agreed project or multiple projects that combined do not exceed $50,000.
Priority will be given to applications for projects in towns that have not previosly received funding through the Tiny Towns Fund. This aims to increase geographic spread and equity of funding across Victoria. Please visit our Tiny Towns Fund page and the Department of Transport and Planning Tiny Towns Fund pages for successful projects and their locations under Round 1 and Round 2.
Each project is required to have its own application (no 'multi-town' applications).
I am a Crown Land Committee of Management, how can I find my DEECA ID?
If you are a Crown Land Committee of Management, you can find our 4-5 digit DEECA ID through contacting voluntary.committees@delwp.vic.gov.au.
I don’t know if my organisation is an incorporated association or what our incorporated association number is?
To find out more about incorporated associations visit Incorporated associations - Consumer Affairs Victoria. If you're unsure of your incorporated association status or number, you can search for your organisation on the Consumer Affairs Victoria incorporated association search to retrieve this information Search for an incorporated association - Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Funding
How much funding can I apply for?
The applicants can apply for a minimum grant of $5,000 and up to a maximum amount of $50,000 (not including GST) per project.
Grant amounts may be reduced if ineligible expenses are requested as part of the project budget or where co-contribution evidence does not cover the required amount.
What financial commitment is required?
Applicants are required to make a co-contribution towards the total cost of the project. The co-contribution may come from the applicant or from other sources but must not be from other Victorian Government programs or sources. Accepted sources of co-contribution may include:
- contributions from community groups, businesses, or philanthropic organisations
- grants/contributions from local government and Alpine Resorts
- contributions from utility/service providers, and
- grants from the Australian Government, or other state governments in the case projects benefiting cross-border communities
The value of land put towards a project is not considered in the calculation of a co-contribution.
The co-contribution ratios required for applicants are listed below.
Who | Required Contribution |
|---|---|
All applicants other than local government across all eligible locations (e.g. not-for profit community groups, incorporated associations, Crown land committees of management) | 20% contribution towards the total cost of the project. Up to half (50%) of this amount permitted as an in-kind contribution (meaning 10% cash contribution and 10% in-kind). |
Rural Councils and Alpine Resort applicants | 25% cash contribution. No In-kind permitted |
Regional Cities and Interface Council applicants | 50% cash contribution. No In-kind permitted |
Should you need assistance with calculating your co-contribution, including in-kind contribution, please contact your relevant RDV office or the Suburbs Team in the Program and Integration branch withing DTP within to discuss your project via the contact details provided in the program guidelines at Appendix 2.
What does in-kind contribution mean?
An in-kind contribution is a contribution of a good or a service rather than money. Local government and Alpine Resort applicants are not eligible to claim in-kind contributions.
The in-kind contribution may be up to 50% of the applicant’s total contribution and at the following rates:
- professionals costed at $80-$150 per hour
- skilled labour costed at $45 per hour
- unskilled labour costed at $25 per hour
- equipment costed at standard commercial hire rates.
Which funding ratio applies if my local council is the auspice for my project?
Regardless of any auspice arrangements, all applicants other than local government and Alpine resorts are required to make a 20% co-contribution of the total proposed project budget (which can include 50% in-kind).
What size project do I need to receive the maximum grant of $50,000?
To be eligible for the maximum grant of $50,000, your project would need to meet a Minimum Project Value (the full cost to deliver the project). The table below sets out the minimum requirements to be eligible for the maximum grant.
Who | Minimum Project Value | Applicant Contribution % | Applicant Minimum Cash Contribution | Applicant Maximum In-kind Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
All applicants - other than local government and Alpine Resorts | $62,500 | 20% | $6,250 | $6,250 |
Rural Councils and Alpine resorts | $66,667 | 25% | $16,667 | Not Permitted |
Regional Cities and Interface local governments | $100,000 | 50% | $50,000 | Not Permitted |
What is the maximum amount of funding that can be approved per town?
To assist with the geographical spread of funding across eligible areas of Victoria, a maximum of $50,000 per Town limit will be applied for this Round. This could be one agreed project or multiple projects that combined do not exceed $50,000.
When and how will the grant be paid?
Payment for successful applications will be staggered at key milestones throughout the project to ensure that the project progresses in line with the grant agreement. For most projects the grant milestones will be at either one or 2 payment milestones, however, this may be different for projects on a case-by-case basis.
Applications and outcomes
How do I apply for the Tiny Towns Fund?
To apply, submit an online application via the ‘Start your application’ button on the Tiny Towns Fund webpage.
Before applying, ensure you have read and understood the information on Program Guidelines and have all the required documentation on hand.
Is there a different application form for the eligible interface and regional applicants?
No, the same application form is applicable for all applicants. Refer to the online application form on the Tiny Towns Fund page under Application Process - Tiny Towns Fund.
When will I be notified of the outcome?
Applicants should expect to learn the outcome of their application by approximately June 2026.
My application was unsuccessful. Can I appeal this?
There is no right of appeal for unsuccessful applications. However, you may contact the relevant department to understand more about why your application was unsuccessful.
Can I submit an application past the closing date?
No. Late applications will not be accepted.
How will the applicants be notified of an application outcome?
Applicants will be advised of the outcome by email and successful applicants will receive a letter of offer via email.
Who can I talk to for assistance?
In the first instance contact Call Customer Centre on 1800 878 969 during business hours, Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, you can contact your local RDV office, or the Suburbs team within Program and Integration branch within DTP as provided on Tiny Towns Fund Guidelines Appendix 2.