Deadline: 9-May-25
The Government of South Australia is pleased to invite applications to fund projects and activities to meet the needs of autistic people and promote genuine autism inclusion in South Australia.
The grants aim to support greater inclusion for Autistic South Australians by funding sustainable, inclusive and fit-for-purpose projects and initiatives that meet the current and predicted future needs of the South Australian community. For example, initiatives could:
- Improve opportunities in employment or volunteering for Autistic people
- Improve the level of knowledge and understanding of autism including Autistic strengths and support needs
- Increase the ability of venues and events to support improved inclusion of Autistic people
- Improve connection and belonging for Autistic people
Focus Areas
- The grant program aligns multiple focus areas, including:
- Thriving in the workplace
- Participation in the community
Funding Information
- Autism Works in the Community Grants of between $5,000 and $40,000 (ex GST) are available for projects or initiatives to be delivered over 12 months, beginning from July 2025.
Eligible Projects
- Funding will be prioritised for projects or initiatives that:
- Are Autistic-led or feature leadership and decision-making structures mostly comprising of Autistic people
- Support people and/or communities experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage with co-occurring vulnerabilities, particularly neurodivergence
- Support Autistic people from minority groups including culturally and linguistically diverse people or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Target and benefit regional and/or remote locations
Eligible Activities
- Delivery of workplace programs that improve inclusion of Autistic people, including during recruitment, induction, and throughout employment
- Part or entire salary to subsidise existing staff to be seconded from their existing position to deliver critical aspects of the funded project
- Appropriate training to promote knowledge and understanding of autism
- Sensory spaces, either permanent or for an event or a series of events
- Programs that build and foster community connection and belonging
Ineligible Activities
- The following will not be supported:
- Retrospective funding for projects that have been completed before July 2025
- To supplement recurrent or ongoing costs of an existing organisation, including salaries
- Projects where the primary outcomes are religious or political
- Prizes, competitions, donations or sponsorships
- Volunteer honorariums
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for funding, organisations must be:
- Non-government; and incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985; or the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006,
- An Australian Public or Private Limited Liability Company under the Corporations Act 2001; or
- A Partnership registered under the Partnership Act 1891; or
- Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission with a comparable legal status; or
- An Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation.
- Organisations must additionally:
- Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN);
- Have an Australian bank account in the name of the legal entity;
- Agree to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement;
- The applicant and project must be located within South Australia;
- Demonstrate commitment to supporting inclusion of Autistic people and autism communities.
Ineligibility Criteria
- The following organisations are ineligible for funding, including by way of partnership arrangements:
- Organisations that have outstanding obligations for grants previously awarded by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet or other South Australian Government departments
- Organisations who received funding in the Autism Works in the Community Grants Program in 2024
- Primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions
- Individuals and organisations applying on behalf of an individual
- Commonwealth, state or local government departments and agencies.
For more information, visit Australian Government.
