CFAs: Disaster Readiness Infrastructure Grants under Clubgrants Program (Category 3) – Australia

The NSW Government’s Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program funds disaster-readiness community infrastructure across New South Wales. Grants of $50,000–$200,000 support construction, renovation and fit-outs for facilities that strengthen safety, resilience and emergency preparedness. The program targets disadvantaged, regional and disaster-affected communities to improve long-term community wellbeing and readiness.

Overview

The Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program provides financial support for high-impact community infrastructure that improves disaster readiness. The program funds essential upgrades—such as evacuation centres, capital equipment and multipurpose community facilities—that help communities respond to emergencies and build long-term resilience.

Program Purpose

The primary objective is to support the construction, alteration, renovation, completion or fit-out of community infrastructure that benefits disadvantaged or disaster-affected communities in NSW. This includes:

• Regional and remote communities

• Drought-affected areas

• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities

• People with disability

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

• Disaster-impacted communities requiring improved preparedness

Funding Available

• Grant amount: $50,000 to $200,000 per project

• Purpose: Disaster readiness infrastructure and essential community facilities

• Focus: Safety, emergency preparedness, resilience and community wellbeing

Key Concepts Explained

Disaster Readiness Infrastructure

Infrastructure designed to support communities before, during and after emergencies. This can include:

• Evacuation centres

• Emergency response facilities

• Backup power systems

• Multipurpose community hubs

• Capital equipment used in crisis response

Community Resilience

The ability of a community to withstand, respond to and recover from disasters. Investment in durable and accessible facilities directly strengthens resilience by improving coordination, safety and service delivery.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must operate or maintain the funded infrastructure. Accepted entities include:

• Not-for-profit organisations

• Schools, if the infrastructure is publicly accessible outside school hours

• Local councils, with a requirement to cash-match the amount requested
  Not eligible:

• Individuals

• Businesses or organisations that may gain commercial benefits from the project

Why It Matters

This grant program strengthens NSW communities by:

• Enhancing disaster preparedness

• Improving access to critical emergency facilities

• Supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups

• Increasing safety, inclusion and long-term resilience

• Ensuring community infrastructure can serve both emergency and everyday needs

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility
   Ensure your organisation meets the not-for-profit, school or local council requirements and complies with NSW regulations.

2. Identify a disaster-readiness project
   Choose infrastructure that clearly improves safety, preparedness or resilience.

3. Prepare documentation
   Develop detailed plans, cost estimates and evidence of community benefit. Councils must include proof of cash-matching.

4. Submit through the official portal
   Complete the application form, attach required documents and ensure all compliance checks are met.

5. Await assessment
   Applications are reviewed on alignment with program objectives, community impact, feasibility and long-term benefit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects that offer commercial gain

• Failing to demonstrate public accessibility (especially for schools)

• Providing insufficient project detail or unclear budgets

• Neglecting to show community need or disaster-readiness relevance

• Local councils forgetting cash-matching requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of projects are most competitive?
Projects that clearly enhance emergency preparedness, such as evacuation centres, resilient community hubs or critical equipment upgrades.
2. Can a school apply for funding?
Yes, if the infrastructure is accessible to the public outside school hours.
3. Does the program support equipment purchases?
Yes, if the equipment directly contributes to disaster readiness or emergency response.
4. Is co-funding required?
Only local councils must cash-match the funding. Not-for-profits and schools are not required to co-fund.
5. Can the grant fund new construction?
Yes. Construction, renovation, alteration and fit-outs are all eligible.
6. Are operational costs covered?
No. The program is for capital infrastructure only.
7. Can individuals apply?
No. Only eligible organisations may apply.

Conclusion

The Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program plays a critical role in strengthening disaster-ready infrastructure across NSW. By funding facilities that improve emergency response, safety and community resilience, the program supports long-term wellbeing in disadvantaged and disaster-affected areas. Organisations with projects that enhance preparedness and accessibility are strongly positioned to benefit from this opportunity.