Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants 2025-26

To be eligible for grant funding under the Safe Places for Faith Communities Program, applicants must:

• Be a non-profit sharing organisation
  • The organisation must show that it manages and has the legal and institutional authority to implement funded security measures at the place of worship or eligible place for which the grant funding is to be used
• Show the need for the grant
  • For grant funding requests of up to $50,000 (‘Pathway A’) where an evidence‑based security risk assessment is NOT required  
  • For grant funding requests of $50,000 or more (‘Pathway B’), an evidence‑based security risk assessment IS required as supporting documentation to the grant application
• Show how the project will achieve one or more of the intended grant program outcomes
• Outline how the program outcomes will be measured and reported
• Be located within New South Wales
• Outline how the proposal is cost effective and viable with an accurate and balanced budget
• Confirm other funding sources that are contributing to the total event budget
• Confirm past and current funding sources for the past three years
• Show co-contributions towards the project
• Have acquitted all prior Multicultural NSW grants that are due for acquittal
• Have all appropriate insurances and licences
  • Including, but not limited to, Public Liability Insurance, Workers Compensation Insurance and volunteers Insurance
• Submit an application using the Multicultural NSW SmartyGrants portal before the closing date
  • This information is in the grant guidelines (PDF 812.14KB) and application form
• Show they have the capacity to start the project within 12 weeks of executing the grant agreement
• Deliver the project within the delivery timeframe for the grant. This information is in the grant guidelines and application form
• Acknowledge Multicultural NSW and NSW Government funding in any notice, publication or report relating to the funding measures or activities.

Under this program, an eligible place is a place where faith communities gather regularly to profess, practice or maintain their faith or religious heritage. It can include, but is not limited to a:

• Place of worship
• Seminary, theological college, religious museum, or other specialist religious educational institution
• Religious community centre
• Religious retreat, sanctuary or camp facility
• Place of religious significance, such as a shrine, faith-based cemetery or memorial.

Four categories of Resilience measures are eligible for funding under this program:
Resilience measures 1 and 2:
Prevention (PROTECTION) and Preparedness (PLANNING AND CAPABILITY)

• All-hazards capital safety and security infrastructure.
  • This includes items like security equipment and installation for items such as, but not limited to, closed circuit television systems (CCTV), secure fencing and/or railings or gates, manually operated pedestrian and vehicle gates, door hardening, locks, mailbox/mail bag, reinforcing glazed windows (anti-shatter film, bars/grilles), intruder alarms including integrated smoke/heat detection, door entry access control (fob or keypad), video intercom systems, lighting (building mounted), bollards, intercoms and swipe access, antigraffiti sealant, motion detectors.
• Maintenance costs for one year from the installation date for new security equipment purchased with the grant.
• Minor construction related to the project (contractor fees, labour, equipment rental, installation fees) and minor renovation related to the project (e.g. renovations to the main entrance or lobby area of a building to enhance the security).
• Training in the proper use of new security equipment by staff and volunteers.
• Expert security risk assessments.
• Development of risk mitigation plans, processes, protocols and guidelines. 

Resilience measures 3 and 4:
Response (INCIDENT MANAGEMENT) and Recovery (WELLBEING AND RESILIENCE)

• 24/7 safety and wellbeing support services for religious leaders, chaplains, staff and volunteers who support places of worship and other eligible places.
• Incident management training and emergency drills or planning for religious leaders, staff, volunteers, chaplains, and community members who attend eligible places.
• Cyber-safety measures and training addressing the risk of online hate and threats for managers of digital and social media channels and religious service livestreams.
• Training in first aid, psychological first aid and trauma-informed pastoral care for religious leaders, chaplains, staff and volunteers who support places of worship and other eligible places.

The following costs are excluded from receiving grant funding: 

• Capital infrastructure projects that have already commenced
• Activities, equipment or supplies that are already being funded through other grants
• Activities that are dependent on recurrent funding
• Applications that seek support funding the core business of the organisation. This includes supplementing, increasing or continuing ongoing service delivery
  • This includes, but is not limited to, insurances, independent auditing costs, financing costs including interest and debt financing, costs for rent and utilities, routine operational expenses and ongoing operating and maintenance costs (beyond one year for new equipment funded under the grant), costs related to preparing the grant application and preparing any project variation requests, costs related to obtaining resources used on the project, including interest on loans, job advertising and recruiting, and contract negotiation, capital costs for the purchase of assets such as office furniture, computers, printers, photocopiers, as well as land, construction of buildings, and vehicles, salaries and wages for full time personnel
• Capital infrastructure or equipment that does not comply with industry/ISO standards
• Planning permission
• General building improvements
• Living accommodation
• Security personnel/guards
• Chapels and prayer rooms
• Weaponry, armoury or defence equipment and/or hardware.