Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000,000
- Application opened: 8 September 2026
- Application closes: 2 October 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
This round will contribute to the objectives of the Fresh Start Grant Program to:
- Increase the local government workforce through the employment of apprentices, trainees and cadets (recruits) over eight years to 2032.
- Increase the directly employed local government workforce.
- Create positive social outcomes by generating local education, training and employment opportunities particularly targeting youth.
- Contribute to the outcomes from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap by increasing employment and education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This program is administered by Office of Local Government.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applicants that are a local government organisation:
- council,
- county council,
- or joint organisation.
Who the grant is targeted towards
Individuals interested in completing an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship at a NSW council.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Projects that include:
- apprentices
- trainees,
- and or cadets.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 28 February 2028 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2032.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
Completion of an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship by the end of the funding term.
What costs you can apply for
NSW Government is funding 100 per cent of the applicable rate of pay, specified in the Local Government (State) Award 2026 Clause 32C (Monetary Rates – Table 1 Clause 7 Rates of Pay), 15 per cent of on-costs (ie total funding of 115% of applicable rate of pay), and eligible allowances as per the Fresh Start Grant Program Funding Agreement.
The funding is assigned to the individual recruit, not the position. Funding of wages is for the nominal term of the apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship, unless completed early or in the event of the employment agreement being terminated before completion.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Workforce Management Strategy
- Public Liability Insurance
- Recruitment Policy
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Assessment criteria and weightings
Applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria:
- Meeting program objectives
- Demonstrated need
- Capacity
- Inclusion, diversity and social outcomes.
Broader factors that may be considered
Where applications exceed the funding available, the Assessment Panel may consider:
- past funding received under the Fresh Start Grant Program
- past performance against program objectives and requirements
- providing career opportunities for people in regional, rural and remote areas
- likelihood of being offered ongoing employment after the funding term
- apprenticeships, traineeships, and cadetships not previously offered by the organisation
- the 2025 Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey
- occupations that are listed in the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (1 January 2026)
- the application of a relative disadvantage assessment based on the methodology used for Federal Assistance Grants
Notification of application outcome
OLG will notify successful applicants of the positions for which grant funding has been provisionally approved from the week commencing 9 November 2026 to enable these organisations to proceed/finalise recruitment for the positions. Once provisional approval is granted, final approval is guaranteed on council notification to OLG of successful recruitment.
Start the application
Applicants should review the Local Government Apprentices, Trainees and Cadets Program – Round 4 Grant Guidelines to assist with preparing their application.
One application per council. Applicants are expected to coordinate within their organisation to submit a single application.
Multiple positions can be applied for in a single application.
The application includes a series of questions based on the assessment criteria, the responses to which will be used to assess eligibility and alignment with program objectives.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Deputy Secretary, Office of Local Government
Assessments will be completed in line with the Grants Administration Guide.
Preliminary assessment
The OLG program team will check applications for eligibility and complete a preliminary assessment.
Applicants may be requested to clarify or provide additional information.
Assessment Panel and assessment
The Assessment Panel comprises of an independent Chair, and representatives from four key organisations with expertise in the funding objectives:
- Chair – Independent, with deep knowledge and understanding of the local government sector
- Office of Local Government
- Training Services
- Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Aboriginal Strategy, Policy and Engagement
The Assessment Panel will assess eligible applications against the assessment criteria, with the assistance of the OLG program team, and make its recommendations for funding to the Deputy Secretary Local Government as the program funding approver.
Support and contact
Fresh Start Grant Program, Office of Local Government
freshstart@olg.nsw.gov.au
Office of Local Government contact number: 02 4428 4100 (9:00am - 4:30pm)