Applications open for Road Safety Grants 2026/2027 (Australia)

The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure is accepting applications for the Road Safety Grants 2026/2027 to support community-led projects that improve road safety awareness and encourage safer road user behaviours across the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Eligible not-for-profit organizations, schools, local governments, sporting organizations, and community groups can apply for grants of up to AUD $15,000 for projects completed within 12 months.

Road Safety Grants 2026/2027 in Northern Territory: Up to AUD $15,000 for Community Road Safety Projects

The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure has launched the Road Safety Grants 2026/2027 program to fund community initiatives that promote safer roads and reduce road trauma across the Northern Territory (NT).

The program encourages local organizations to develop innovative projects that improve road safety awareness, educate road users, and promote responsible behaviours among drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and local communities.

Program Overview

The Road Safety Grants program supports community-led projects that contribute to safer roads by addressing local road safety issues through education, awareness, research, and community engagement.

The program aims to:

• Increase road safety awareness.
• Promote responsible road user behaviour.
• Encourage community participation in road safety.
• Support local road safety solutions.
• Build safer communities across the Northern Territory.
• Contribute to the long-term goal of reducing deaths and serious injuries on NT roads.

Projects must align with one or more of the program’s priority road safety areas and be completed within 12 months of receiving funding.

Funding Information

Successful applicants may receive:

• Grant amount: Up to AUD $15,000 per project.
• Project duration: Up to 12 months from approval.

Funding supports eligible community-based road safety activities and initiatives.

Program Objectives

The Road Safety Grants program seeks to:

• Improve community understanding of road safety.
• Encourage safer driving and road user behaviours.
• Address local road safety concerns.
• Support innovative education and awareness activities.
• Strengthen community involvement in road safety.
• Promote positive road safety culture throughout the Northern Territory.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following road safety priorities:

• Road safety awareness.
• Community road safety initiatives.
• Responsible road user behaviour.
• Pedestrian safety.
• Motorcycle safety.
• Bicycle safety.
• Remote and rural road safety.
• Speed management.
• Alcohol and drug awareness.
• Child restraint safety.
• Community engagement.
• Road safety education.
• Promotional campaigns.
• Road safety research.
• Policy development.
• Community road safety events.

Eligible Activities

The program supports a wide range of community-based initiatives, including:

Promotional Campaigns

Examples include:

• Road safety signage.
• Posters.
• Banners.
• Stickers.
• Advertising campaigns.
• Variable Message Sign (VMS) campaigns.
• Public awareness campaigns.
• Social media promotions.

Educational Activities

Eligible educational projects include:

• Information brochures.
• Short educational films.
• Social media campaigns.
• School competitions.
• Community quizzes.
• Public displays.
• Child restraint workshops.
• Road safety learning resources.

Community Engagement Projects

Funding may support:

• Community road safety events.
• Local awareness campaigns.
• Volunteer-led initiatives.
• Public engagement activities.
• Community partnerships.

Research and Policy Development

Examples include:

• Local road safety research.
• Community road safety strategies.
• Safe driver policies.
• Behaviour change initiatives.
• Evidence-based road safety planning.

Child and Bicycle Safety Programs

Projects may include:

• Child restraint hire programs.
• Child restraint fitment checks.
• Bicycle safety education.
• Helmet awareness initiatives.
• Family road safety activities.

Road Safety Events

Funding may support activities linked to:

• National Road Safety Week.
• Street Smart High.
• Children’s Week.
• Other community events where road safety education is a primary outcome.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit organizations.
• Local government authorities.
• Schools.
• Sporting organizations.
• Community groups.

Applicants must have their principal place of business in the Northern Territory.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be incorporated under relevant Australian legislation.
• Operate primarily within the Northern Territory.
• Deliver projects aligned with the Road Safety Grants objectives.
• Complete funded activities within 12 months.
• Demonstrate community benefit and measurable road safety outcomes.

The use of local suppliers and service providers is strongly encouraged.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Individuals.
• For-profit businesses.
• Non-compliant organizations.
• Insolvent organizations.

Ineligible Activities

Funding cannot be used for:

• Road engineering projects.
• Road infrastructure or capital works.
• Political activities.
• Commercial activities.
• Business establishment costs.
• General operating expenses unrelated to road safety.
• Retrospective funding.
• Projects outside the Northern Territory.
• Government agency activities.
• Staff wages and salaries.
• Professional workforce development (except eligible speaker fees).
• Gambling-related events.
• Alcohol-related events.
• Projects duplicating existing community services.
• Deficit budgets.
• Activities that do not meet the grant objectives.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations should follow these general steps:

1. Confirm organizational eligibility.
2. Identify a local road safety issue or priority.
3. Design a project that aligns with one or more program focus areas.
4. Prepare a project budget and implementation timeline.
5. Demonstrate expected road safety outcomes and community benefits.
6. Submit the grant application through the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure before the application deadline.

Projects should clearly explain how they will improve road safety awareness or encourage safer behaviours.

Why This Grant Matters

Road crashes continue to have significant social and economic impacts, particularly in regional and remote communities.

The Road Safety Grants program helps communities:

• Promote safer driving habits.
• Reduce preventable road injuries.
• Increase public awareness.
• Improve child and pedestrian safety.
• Support local road safety leadership.
• Encourage long-term behaviour change.

Community-driven initiatives often provide practical solutions tailored to local road safety challenges.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

• Addressing a clearly identified local road safety issue.
• Aligning the project with one or more priority areas.
• Demonstrating measurable community outcomes.
• Developing realistic timelines and budgets.
• Including strong community partnerships.
• Using evidence to support the proposed activities.
• Explaining how awareness and behaviour change will be achieved.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Proposing infrastructure or capital works projects.
• Applying as an ineligible organization.
• Submitting projects outside the Northern Territory.
• Including ineligible operating expenses.
• Providing unclear project objectives.
• Failing to demonstrate community benefit.
• Requesting retrospective funding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Road Safety Grants 2026/2027?

Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit organizations, local governments, schools, sporting organizations, and community groups based in the Northern Territory.

How much funding is available?

Successful applicants can receive up to AUD $15,000 for eligible projects.

What types of projects are funded?

The program supports road safety education, awareness campaigns, community engagement activities, research, policy development, child restraint initiatives, bicycle safety programs, and road safety events.

How long can funded projects run?

Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding.

What activities are not eligible?

Funding cannot be used for road construction, infrastructure works, commercial activities, political campaigns, staff salaries, retrospective projects, gambling or alcohol-related events, or projects outside the Northern Territory.

Can schools apply?

Yes. Eligible schools located in the Northern Territory may apply for funding for road safety education and awareness initiatives.

Why is this grant important?

The program empowers local communities to develop practical road safety solutions that reduce road trauma, improve awareness, encourage responsible road user behaviour, and contribute to safer roads across the Northern Territory.

Conclusion

The Road Safety Grants 2026/2027 provide an excellent funding opportunity for Northern Territory community organizations to deliver innovative road safety education, awareness, and engagement initiatives. With grants of up to AUD $15,000, the program supports projects that encourage safer road user behaviours, strengthen community participation, and help create safer roads for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and families throughout the Northern Territory.