Transport Heritage Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: 1-Aug-25

The Transport Heritage Grants Program (the Program) is a NSW Government funded program, administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS), and supported by Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW).

Program Objectives

• The Program aims to help the NSW community rediscover the culture, the events and the people that shaped transport in NSW over the past 170 years, as well as support the restoration and conservation of, and access to the valuable heritage assets (including buildings, rolling stock, vehicles, museum objects and collections).

Funding Information

• Grants will be assessed on their needs and merits; however, it is unlikely that grant amounts awarded would exceed $15,000.
• The upper limit of funding available for any one project is $55,000 and a maximum of one grant of this size may be awarded each funding round.

Duration

• Grants will be awarded to cover a twelve-month period.

Project Categories

• Category 1: Restoration, reconstruction or preservation of a heritage transport item (available for eligible organisations only)
  • This category comprises projects which directly involve the restoration and/or conservation of transport heritage assets (including buildings, rolling stock, vehicles, museum objects and collections) which are not eligible for other Government funding administered by THNSW.
    • Priority will be given to projects involving assets with strong and significant links to the transport history of NSW.
    • All necessary approvals to conduct the works must be acquired prior to submitting the application and relevant evidence provided.
    • If the project relates to a heritage asset owned by the applicant, proof of ownership must be provided with the application.
    • If the project relates to a heritage asset not owned by the applicant, it must be owned by a not-for-profit incorporated body or Government body.
    • If the project relates to a heritage asset not owned by the applicant, the applicant must include evidence of approval from the owner to conduct works in line with that agreement.
    • If the project relates to an operational asset, evidence of accreditation by the relevant regulator (e.g. National Rail Safety Regulator) must be provided.
• Category 2: Exhibition, interpretation, education or publication relating to heritage transport (available for eligible organisations only)
  • This category comprises projects that involve educating the community about NSW transport heritage or the operation of transport heritage passenger services. Examples include:
    • museum exhibitions
    • public programs
    • education programs
    • in vehicle commentary.
  • Education programs must be developed in conjunction with education professionals, a letter of support from a local school and contribute to the curriculum.
• Category 3: Study, consultation, report or review that will assist in managing a heritage transport place or item in NSW or the ACT (available for eligible organisations and individuals)
  • This category comprises conservation management plans, statements of significance and heritage management plans.
• Category 4: Audience development, accessibility, and inclusion
  • This category is for projects whose outcomes improve access to NSW transport heritage. Examples include:
    • Temporary and/or permanent infrastructure, and/or building, precinct and asset works that will improve accessibility and inclusion for diverse audiences
    • Equipment that improves experience and access
    • Signage, guide and interpretative material for diverse audiences
    • Access supports and programming
    • Accessible online content.

Eligibility Criteria

• Depending on the type of project, the following are eligible to apply for grants.
  • Organisations: NSW or ACT1 based bodies corporate that are not-for-profit or charitable institutions with transport heritage and/or NSW heritage or history as their primary objective and purpose.
  • Individuals: Individuals that are members of Transport Heritage NSW may apply in the following categories but only in partnership with an eligible organisation:
    • Exhibition, interpretation, education or publication relating to heritage transport
    • Study, consultation, report or review that will assist in managing a heritage transport place or item (e.g.: conservation management plans, statements of significance, heritage management plans)
    • Audience development, accessibility and inclusion.
• Applicants who have three or more current or outstanding grants on the closing date of the current round are not eligible to apply.

For more information, visit RAHS.