Australia Day grants open for community events

Published on 01 October 2026

• Australia Day Events Grants of up to $2,000 are now open
• Funding will support community events held across the Fraser Coast on 26 January 2027
• Residents also encouraged to nominate local achievers for the 2027 Australia Day Awards

Community groups planning to bring people together on Australia Day can now apply for grants of up to $2,000 to help stage local events across the Fraser Coast.

Applications for Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Australia Day Events Grants open today (1 October), with grants of between $500 and $2,000 available for eligible community events held on 26 January 2027.

Communities spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said the grants were designed to help local groups create events that encouraged people to come together in their communities.

“Australia Day events organised by community groups provide an opportunity for people to connect locally and spend time together,” she said.

“Whether it’s a community gathering, family activities or entertainment, these grants can help groups with some of the costs involved in putting on an event.

“Eligible expenses can include advertising, temporary infrastructure, road closure costs and programming activities that provide a community benefit.”

Cr Govers encouraged interested groups to read the guidelines and start preparing their applications early.

“Applications close on 30 October, so now is the time for community groups considering an Australia Day event to look at what support is available and get their application underway,” she said.

“Council’s Grants Team is also available to provide advice and guidance to groups developing an application.”

Cr Govers said planning for Australia Day 2027 was already underway, with nominations also open for the Fraser Coast Australia Day Awards.

“The awards are another way we can recognise the people and organisations who contribute so much to communities across the Fraser Coast,” she said.

“If you know a volunteer, young leader, sporting or wellbeing champion, arts and culture contributor or community organisation deserving of recognition, I encourage you to put their name forward.”

Nominations are open across five categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Group or Organisation of the Year, Sport and Wellbeing Award and Arts and Culture Award.

Australia Day Award nominations close on 3 December 2026, with nominees to be recognised at a special ceremony on 18 January and award recipients announced on Australia Day.

For Australia Day Events Grant guidelines and applications, visit https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/grants

For Australia Day Award nominations, visit https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/australia-day