Special Purposes & Projects grants aim to support initiatives to assist people with disability to actively engage in their communities. Sector Development grants aim to drive quality improvement, collaboration & innovation to advocacy organisations.
May 2025
What was approved
Approved for ACON Health Limited
The project will deliver one-on-one and group training, coaching and debriefing of LGBTQ people with disability who are leaders or future leaders in their communities. The project will support the capacity of the leaders and offer social learning spaces to collaborate and empower LGBTQ+ people with disability.
$96,642 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Council of the City of SydneyLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
The project will develop culturally safe resources grounded in lived experience through collaboration with Aboriginal communities that empower Autistic Aboriginal children and their families throughout their educational journey. As part of ASPECT's Aboriginal Education Strategy. this will create schooling experiences that embrace both cultural identity and autism.
$65,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Central CoastLocation of the recipient
Central CoastAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Community Disability Alliance Hunter Incorporated
Young people with disability will receive specifically designed training in civics, with a focus on disability rights and leadership. Participants will join CDAH’s youth disability peer group. Young people with disability will be better equipped to actively engage in their community in a more informed and empowered way.
$90,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Newcastle City CouncilLocation of the recipient
Newcastle City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Intellectual Disability Rights Service
The project is a culturally appropriate training package designed to enhance the skills of advocates, government caseworkers and disability supporters. It will consist of an online module and in-person workshops focused on effectively assisting people with disability living in NSW in a range of legal proceedings.
$100,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Council of the City of SydneyLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Lifeline Central West Ltd
The project will adapts Domestic Violence -alert training for frontline workers and develop a co-designed, peer-informed workshop for women with disability. Together, they address the heightened risk of sexual violence by increasing awareness, strengthening referral pathways and directly equipping women with knowledge, confidence, and strategies to recognise abuse and seek support.
$100,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Bathurst Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Bathurst Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc
The project will recruit Lived Experience Advocates to participate in two six monthly communities of practice to develop advanced skills in systemic advocacy. The aim is to equip them to participate in upcoming disability reform activities and the national advocacy Community of Practice (CoP) to be facilitated by the Consumer Alliance and Mental Health Carers Australia.
$75,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Council of the City of SydneyLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Muscular Dystrophy Association of NSW
The New Diagnosis Navigator will support newly diagnosed children with neuromuscular conditions and their families/carers in metro and regional NSW through targeted outreach, check-ins, referrals, tailored information, a dedicated support group and parent mentoring. This will improve access to services, informed decision-making and community participation during the critical early diagnosis period.
$71,540 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
City of Canada Bay CouncilLocation of the recipient
City of Canada Bay CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for NSW - CENTRAL WEST MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
The project will support individuals with disability by providing community workshops, accessibility training and advocacy support. Activities will include educational sessions, digital literacy training and community networking events. Expected outcomes include enhanced social inclusion, improved access to services and stronger advocacy for disability rights in the NSW Central West region.
$35,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Dubbo Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Dubbo Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Parents of Deaf Children
The project will address the urgent gap in representation for Deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. It will build advocacy sector capacity through statewide consultation, parent leadership and cross-sector training, embedding lived experience into policy and driving inclusive, culturally safe systems reform in partnership with Deaf Australia.
$50,400 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Ryde City CouncilLocation of the recipient
Ryde City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Parkinson's NSW Limited
Over twelve months, the project will create two Parkinson's Support Groups in key CALD communities within the South Western Local Health District (SWLHD). The project will address the service gap for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in these communities. PD is the fastest-growing neurological disorder globally, impacting 3,154 people in the SWLHD.
$23,800 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Ryde City CouncilLocation of the recipient
Ryde City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Physical Disability Council of NSW Incorporated
The project will create a publicly accessible dashboard to showcase top priorities of the NSW disability community. It aims to empower the disability advocacy sector and the government with a data-driven decision-making tool that fosters collaboration, transparency and clarity that leads to improved services and outcomes for the disability community.
$99,329 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Council of the City of SydneyLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Synapse Australia Limited
The project will develop new eLearning module that support advocacy sector professionals, address the needs/improve engagement of individuals with a disability (specifically cognitive impairment and complex disability) with experience of domestic/family violence. It will be developed through evidenced based research and best practice, a co-design approach drawing significantly on Synapse’s significant cohort knowledge and experience.
$100,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
City of Parramatta CouncilLocation of the recipient
City of Parramatta CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026What was approved
Approved for Western Sydney Community Forum
The Disability Advocacy Sector Support and Development Program supports and develops the region’s disability advocacy sector via capacity building and practice support. It delivers a suite of place-based tailored activities including leaders and frontline workers forums, regular news digest, sector support web portal, adaptive leadership series, cultural safety workshops, and many other sector development activities.
$100,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, Department of Communities and JusticeDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
City of Parramatta CouncilLocation of the recipient
City of Parramatta CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
59
Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2025
Program term
Contracted for one year - 30 June 2025 until 30 June 2026 - Acquittal must be completed by 30 July 2026