Call for TAC Local Government Grant Program (Australia)

Deadline: 22-Jul-2026

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program is a Victorian Government initiative that supports local councils in delivering road safety projects focused on protecting pedestrians and cyclists. It is aligned with Safe System principles and the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030.

The program provides funding across four categories—analysis, infrastructure, strategy planning, and communication tools—with grants ranging up to $100,000. It aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by improving local road design, safety planning, and awareness.

What is the TAC Local Government Grant Program?

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Local Government Grant Program is a funding initiative that assists Victorian Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in identifying, planning, and implementing road safety improvements.

The program specifically targets risks faced by vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists, on local roads. It promotes evidence-based interventions and Safe System design principles to reduce crash risk and severity.

Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

• Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists across Victoria.
• Reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
• Support Safe System–based road safety planning and design.
• Strengthen local government capacity in road safety management.
• Promote evidence-based infrastructure and behavioural interventions.
• Encourage long-term safety culture across communities.
• Align local projects with the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030.

Key Focus Areas

The TAC grant program focuses on:

Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

• Reducing crashes involving vulnerable road users.
• Improving safety in high-risk local areas.
• Enhancing road crossing and cycling infrastructure.

Safe System Approach

• Designing roads that reduce fatal and serious injury risk.
• Managing speed, infrastructure, vehicles, and user behaviour.
• Applying systemic safety improvements rather than isolated fixes.

Local Road Safety Planning

• Evidence-based analysis of crash risks.
• Development of safety strategies and action plans.
• Integration of long-term road safety planning frameworks.

Communication and Awareness

• Improving driver awareness through signage and messaging.
• Encouraging safer road behaviour through targeted communication tools.

Funding Categories

The program is structured into four distinct grant streams:

Analysis Grants

• Funding up to $30,000.
• Supports investigation of road safety risks.
• Focus on vulnerable road user safety issues.
• Includes concept design for speed and infrastructure improvements.

Infrastructure Grants

• Funding up to $100,000.
• Requires 1:1 co-contribution from local government.
• Supports physical road safety improvements.
• Focus on Safe System–aligned infrastructure treatments.
• Aims to reduce crash severity and likelihood.

Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan Grants

• Funding up to $50,000.
• Supports development of structured road safety plans.
• Helps councils create long-term safety strategies.
• Aligns local planning with state road safety objectives.

Variable Message Sign Grants

• Funding up to $30,000.
• Supports installation of digital or electronic messaging systems.
• Improves driver awareness and road safety communication.
• Encourages safer driving behaviour in targeted areas.

Safe System Principles

The program is guided by Safe System thinking, which includes:

• Roads designed to reduce human error consequences.
• Safe speeds appropriate to road environments.
• Safer vehicles and infrastructure design.
• Shared responsibility among system users and designers.
• Focus on preventing fatalities and serious injuries.

Alignment with Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030

The program supports key state-level objectives:

• Halving road deaths by 2030.
• Reducing serious injuries progressively over time.
• Embedding a strong road safety culture.
• Improving safety outcomes for all road users.
• Prioritising vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Victorian Local Government Authorities (LGAs).

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Alignment with road safety objectives.
• Evidence-based project planning.
• Focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety outcomes.
• Capacity to deliver Safe System–aligned interventions.

Funding Structure and Requirements

• Analysis Grants: up to $30,000.
• Infrastructure Grants: up to $100,000 (requires 1:1 co-funding).
• Strategy and Action Plan Grants: up to $50,000.
• Variable Message Sign Grants: up to $30,000.

Infrastructure funding requires:

• Equal financial contribution from the local government.
• Clear justification of safety impact and design effectiveness.

Eligible Project Types

Projects may include:

Safety Analysis and Planning

• Crash data analysis.
• Risk identification studies.
• Concept design development for safety improvements.

Infrastructure Improvements

• Pedestrian crossings.
• Cycling infrastructure upgrades.
• Road redesign for speed reduction.
• Safety barriers and intersection treatments.

Strategic Planning

• Road safety strategies.
• Action plans for councils.
• Long-term safety frameworks.

Communication Tools

• Variable message signs.
• Driver awareness campaigns.
• Safety messaging systems in high-risk areas.

Ineligible Activities

The program does not typically fund:

• Projects not aligned with Safe System principles.
• Non-road safety related infrastructure.
• Routine maintenance works.
• Activities outside Victorian LGAs.
• Projects lacking evidence-based justification.

Why the Program Matters

The TAC Local Government Grant Program is important because it:

• Reduces fatalities and serious injuries on local roads.
• Improves safety for vulnerable road users.
• Strengthens local government road safety planning capacity.
• Encourages data-driven infrastructure decisions.
• Supports long-term behavioural and environmental change.
• Builds safer, more liveable communities across Victoria.

How the Program Works

Step 1: Identify Road Safety Issue

Local governments identify high-risk locations or safety challenges.

Step 2: Develop Proposal

Applicants design a project aligned with Safe System principles.

Step 3: Select Funding Category

Projects are aligned with one of the four grant streams.

Step 4: Application Submission

Councils submit evidence-based proposals.

Step 5: Assessment

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Safety impact.
• Evidence base.
• Alignment with strategy.
• Feasibility and co-funding capacity.

Step 6: Funding Approval

Successful projects receive funding under the relevant category.

Step 7: Implementation

Councils deliver infrastructure, analysis, or planning initiatives.

Step 8: Reporting

Outcomes are monitored and reported to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

• Road safety impact.
• Alignment with Safe System principles.
• Evidence-based justification.
• Reduction in pedestrian and cyclist risk.
• Project feasibility and value for money.
• Strategic alignment with state safety goals.

Characteristics of Strong Applications

Successful proposals typically demonstrate:

• Clear identification of safety risks.
• Strong data and evidence support.
• Alignment with Victorian Road Safety Strategy.
• Well-defined infrastructure or planning outcomes.
• Co-funding readiness (where required).
• Focus on vulnerable road users.
• Long-term safety benefits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Weak or unsupported safety evidence.
• Projects not aligned with Safe System principles.
• Lack of clear safety outcomes.
• Incomplete co-funding arrangements for infrastructure grants.
• Overly general or non-targeted proposals.
• Poor alignment with strategic road safety goals.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve success rates:

• Use crash data and evidence clearly.
• Focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety outcomes.
• Align strongly with Safe System principles.
• Demonstrate measurable safety improvements.
• Ensure co-funding readiness for infrastructure projects.
• Connect proposals to long-term strategy goals.
• Provide clear implementation plans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the TAC Local Government Grant Program?

It is a Victorian Government initiative that funds local councils to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists using Safe System principles.

Who can apply?

Only Victorian Local Government Authorities (LGAs) are eligible.

What is the maximum funding available?

Funding varies by category, with grants up to $100,000 for infrastructure projects.

What is the Safe System approach?

It is a road safety framework designed to prevent deaths and serious injuries by improving road design, speeds, vehicles, and user behaviour.

Are co-funding requirements included?

Yes. Infrastructure Grants require a 1:1 funding contribution from local government.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects include safety analysis, infrastructure upgrades, strategy development, and communication tools like variable message signs.

What is the main goal of the program?

To reduce road deaths and serious injuries while improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists across Victoria.

Conclusion

The Transport Accident Commission Local Government Grant Program is a strategic road safety funding initiative that empowers Victorian councils to reduce harm on local roads. By supporting Safe System–based analysis, infrastructure, planning, and communication projects, the program plays a critical role in protecting pedestrians and cyclists and advancing the state’s goal of significantly reducing road trauma by 2030.

For more information, visit TAC.