Hervey Bay community groups can apply for Australia Day grants of $500 to $2,000 to help stage local events on Tuesday 26 January 2027.

Fraser Coast Regional Council opened the 2027 round on Thursday 1 October 2026, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday 30 October 2026.

The total funding pool is $4,000, and applications are assessed competitively, so an eligible event is not automatically guaranteed a grant.

The immediate task is to check that both your organisation and its proposed event meet the guidelines before committing to costs.

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations can apply if they are based in the Fraser Coast local government area or deliver their project entirely within it.

They must meet incorporation requirements, hold appropriate insurance and have satisfied reporting and acquittal conditions for previous Council grants.

An unincorporated group can apply through an eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisation that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the grant.

That arrangement, known as auspicing, needs to be agreed rather than assumed when a group begins its application.

Individuals are not eligible, and incomplete applications or requests for retrospective funding will not be considered.

The event must take place on 26 January 2027.

Potentially eligible costs include advertising, temporary infrastructure hire, road closures and programming that provides a lasting community benefit.

The guidelines also identify exclusions, including alcohol, grant-writer fees and activities undertaken or purchases committed to before written notification of success.

A financial co-contribution is not compulsory, although applications with an applicant contribution are regarded favourably.

Groups should allow time to prepare their budget, incorporation and Australian Business Number details, financial records and bank-account verification.

Requests of $1,000 or more require two quotes from different suppliers to demonstrate value for money.

Local businesses and services must be used unless approval for out-of-region suppliers is obtained before the application is lodged.

Applicants also need management committee approval in a letter signed by two committee members and must contact Council’s Events Advisory Team about any required permit.

Applications are submitted through SmartyGrants, with a review stage before the final submission.

Save your work as you go, and check that a submitted application produces both a confirmation page and a confirmation email.

A saved draft is not a submitted application, so leave time to resolve missing fields or attachment problems before the 5pm deadline.

Council’s Grants Team can give guidance, but officers cannot write and submit the application on your group’s behalf.

Call the Grants Team on 1300 79 49 29 during business hours to check eligibility and prepare your submission before Friday 30 October 2026.