Who can apply for a grant?

You can apply for Supported Employment Advocacy Grant funding if your organisation is currently funded to provide individual advocacy by one of the following funding arrangements:

• National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)
• State and territory based individual advocacy funding arrangements
• Indigenous Advocacy Pilot funding

Organisations should only apply for the jurisdiction they are already operating in. It is possible for more than one organisation to jointly apply if for example if your organisation covers different areas of the state and can work jointly to achieve the project.

Organisations providing Indigenous Advocacy Pilot individual advocacy services can apply for the Indigenous Advocacy funding pool regardless of location, this work will be done nationally.

Should a provider also be funded through the NDAP program they must ensure that there is clear accountability for services delivered, including by keeping clear records that identify which advocacy services are delivered under each program. DANA will work with the successful organisations to support data collection and reporting. DANA is required to report on project outcomes every 6 months and will work with our partners to gather what is required.

What are the areas the grants will cover and what funding is available?

Employment Advocacy grants are allocated by jurisdiction (except for the Indigenous Advocacy funding allocation). Funding allocations are based on the amount of ADEs in each state and territory and include a staffing allocation and related travel expenses.

The funding has been allocated based on 1 EFT of $150,000 (which include salary and on costs). In states where more associated travel is expected then we have allocated a higher proportion of travel.

The following funding allocations (covering staffing and travel) are available for each grant area:

• NSW – $260,000/year $650,000 total
• VIC – $230,000/year $575,000 total
• QLD –$110,000/year, $275,000 total
• WA – $95,000/year, 237,500 total
• SA – $83,000 /year, $207,500 total
• TAS – $83,000 /year, $207,500 total
• ACT – $32,000/year, $80,000 total
• NT – $40,000/year, 200,000 total
• Indigenous Advocacy – $67,000/year, $167,500 total.

What are we looking for in successful grant applicants?

Successful grant applicants will need to demonstrate that they:

• Meet the grant criteria (individual advocacy organisation, locally based or part of the Indigenous advocacy pilot for the specified separate fund)
• Have extensive experience undertaking supported decision-making processes with people with an intellectual disability
• Have existing connections to local ADEs
• Have a clear plan to use the allocated FTE equivalent to meet the required deliverables. This might be hiring a new person or people or adding extra days or hours to the existing team
• Agree to be part of a broader community of practice supporting this project, which will include training, upskilling, and opportunities to connect with other grant recipients.

How the grant process will work

Applications for Employment Advocacy Grants opened from 12 March Until 7 April 2025.

Applications closed on 7 April 2025.

Organisations will be informed in April 2025 of their grant outcome, with the grant allocation/onboarding process beginning shortly after for successful applicants.

What if I want to know more or ask questions?

If you have further questions about the project, you may wish to watch one of our recent information sessions, which can be located in the additional links below.  You will also find slides from the session and a transcript of the meeting if required

You can request this or ask any further questions by emailing our Projects Team here.

Key dates

• 12 March 2025: Grant rounds open
• 7 April 2025: Expressions of Interest close at 5:00pm AEDT
• 16 May 2025: Applicants are notified
• May to June 2025: Establish contracting agreements
• June 2025: Grant partners commence work on individual project
• Reporting dates

• • Child safe reporting 1 of March each year
  • Workplan reporting
    • December 2025
    • June 2026
    • December 2027
    • June 2027 – Final report

• 30 June 2027: Project concludes