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We are committed to supporting our local community groups, businesses, and individuals to deliver projects and activities that help make the region an inclusive, vibrant, and connected community.

Economic Stimulus Policy

Economic Stimulus Policy Grants are currently open, click here to learn more.

Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF)

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is delivered as a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and eligible local councils across the state. 

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions.

Our RADF grant program is overseen by the Central Highlands Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee (CHACAC) who hold regular meetings. Visit the CHACAC page to learn more about the committee.

Council’s local priorities for RADF 2026-27 are:

  1. Support skills development and capacity building for individuals and groups in the arts, cultural and heritage sectors.
  2. Support opportunities within the arts and heritage for social connection to build community resilience and improve well-being.
  3. Deliver priorities meeting Central Highlands strategic documents:
  4.  Provide access to new and diverse opportunities and art forms that enhance the region’s cultural reputation, cultural and heritage tourism offerings and local economy.
  5. Encourage partnerships and collaboration across the arts, cultural and heritage sector between individuals, groups, and professional organisations.
  • Application timeline
    Round 1
    • Opening date: Thursday 2 July 2026 
    • Closing date: Sunday 30 August 2026
    • Applicants notified: Wednesday 23 September 2026

     

    Round 2
    • Opening date: Monday 2 November 2026 
    • Closing date: Sunday 24 January 2027 
    • Applicants notified: Wednesday 24 February 2027

     

    Round 3
    • Opening date: Monday 1 March 2027 
    • Closing date: Sunday 25 April 2027
    • Applicants notified: Wednesday 26 May 2027
  • Who can apply

    Professional artists, emerging professional artists, arts workers, cultural workers or project coordinators who:

    • Are based in the council area, or if based outside the council area, can demonstrate how the project will directly benefit arts and culture in the council area
    • Are aged 18 years of age or above or have a legal guardian co-sign the application confirming financial responsibility of the funding
    • Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or be an incorporated organisation or the grant be auspice by one of these

    Any of the following groups may be eligible to apply:

    • Arts, culture and heritage organisations based in the council area
    • Arts, culture and heritage organisations based outside the council area that can demonstrate how the project will directly benefit arts and culture in the council area
    • Organisations and/or agencies delivering arts and cultural objectives for the region aligning with arts, cultural and heritage strategic vision.
  • What kind of projects are eligible?

    Individuals are eligible to apply for Australian-based professional development opportunities including:

    • professional development, e.g. workshops/retreats, conferences, mentorships, artist-in-residence programs and placements with recognised arts and cultural organisations
    • research/concept development
    • new works or projects, e.g. public art, exhibitions
    • exhibition costs, e.g. framing, venue hire, materials/tools to support an exhibition

     

    Groups are eligible to apply for projects under the following categories:

    • Skills development workshops
    • Community arts and cultural development
    • Cultural tourism
    • Concept development
    • Events and festivals
    • Placemaking
    • Conferences and training

    See pages 8-9 in the RADF guidelines for more information and examples.

  • How can I apply?

    Step 1: Before starting your application, please read our RADF Guidelines and ensure you have been in touch with one of council’s Arts and Cultural Officer prior to completing/submitting an application.

    Step 2: Applications can be completed online via the  SmartyGrants platform.

    You are required to register a username and password login the first time you use this application system. The online application system will allow you to save and develop applications before you choose to submit them.

    RADF Liaison Officers are available to for advice regarding the development of your application or for assistance in completing the SmartyGrants application. For assistance, please contact council.

    Step 3: Once applications close, Central Highlands Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will access the applications and provide a recommendation to council for endorsement. Once council have made a decision on funding allocation, each applicant will be notified of the outcome.

    Applicants are required to be incorporated organisations with public liability insurance, or be auspiced by an incorporated organisation or individual with an ABN. 

  • Assessment meeting dates & minutes

    Previous assessment meeting minutes are updated below:

    2025/26

    Round 1 – 4 July

    Round 2 – 3 October

    Round 3 – 8 May

    2024/25

    Round 1 – 8 November 2024

    Round 2 -7 March 2025

    Round 3 – 6 June 2025

    2023/24

    Round 1 – 9 February 2024

    2022/2023

    Round 1 – 11 November 2022

    Round 2 – 10 March 2023

    Round 3 – 12 May 2023

    2021/2022

    Round 1 – 1 October 2021

    Round 2 – 4 February 2022

    Round 3 – 8 April 2022

    2020/2021

    Round 1 – 20 November 2020

    Round 2 – 12 March 2021

    Round 3 – 14 May 2021

    2019/2020

    Round 1 – 25 October 2019

    Round 2 – 13 December 2019

    Round 3 – 7 February 2020

    Round 4 – 8 May 2020

RADF forms & guidelines

Artist Eligibility Checklist
Budget Template - GST Registered
Budget Template - Non-GST Registered
Outcome report - Non-GST Registered
Outcome report - GST Registered
RADF Guidelines 2026-27
Sample Budget - GST Registered
Sample Budget - Non-GST Registered

Community Grants Program

Council’s Community Grants Program aims to assist local community groups/organisations in making positive contributions to the quality of life in the local government area.

  • Funding categories

    Applications can be submitted in the following categories to the maximum indicated:

    • Community assistance – up to $5000
      • Organisations with a community focus, not providing organised sport and recreation activities.
      • The organisation’s constitutions main objective is to provide community benefit.
    • Sport and recreation assistance – up to $5000
      • Organisations providing organised sport and recreation activities.
      • The organisation’s constitution main objective is to provide organised sport and recreation activities.
    • Community improvement – up to $20,000
      • Organisations with a focus on completing aspirations of their community in alignment with Council Strategic documents.
      • This category is open to both community-focused organisations and sport and recreation organisations.
  • Upcoming rounds

    Grants are offered twice a year.

    Round
    Opening Date
    Closing Date
    Applicants notified
    Completed acquittal date
    Round 2, 2025
    1 August
    15 September
    October
    Six months
    Round 1, 2026
    30 January
    15 March
    April
    Six months
    Round 2, 2026
    1 August
    15 September
    October
    Six months

     

  • Eligibility

    Groups/ organisations applying for Central Highlands Regional Council Grants are required to:

    • Have the majority of members of the organisation/group reside in council’s local government area boundaries.
    • Operate predominately within council’s local government area boundaries.
    • Have acquitted any previous council grant satisfactorily.
    • Be free of debt with  council.
    • Be an incorporated ‘not-for-profit’ organisation or company limited by guarantee that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a charity, tax exempt fund or deductable gift recipient. Note: religious organisations are not eligible.
    • Unincorporated groups are eligible to apply, providing that their application is made through the appropriate incorporated body which supports the program, project or activity.
    • Have relevant public liability insurance cover, except when the grant relates only to works being undertaken by a suitably insured contractor.
    • Make the facility or resource available to community through membership or other means.
    • Demonstrate a clear need for financial support and show that other avenues of financial support have been explored (e.g. other grant funding).
    • Submit the organisation’s most current financial statement (as submitted to the Office of Fair Trading) or latest treasurer’s report including bank balances covering previous12 months.
    • Submit a detailed budget for the program, project and/or activity and two (2) quotes from registered businesses, for all items to be funded for the grant (including where possible at least sourced in council boundaries).
    • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission
    • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission.
    • Sought advice regarding building works and approval prior to application submission (if applicable).
    • Have a signed Tenure Agreement if one has been offered in excess of six months from the application date. (This criterion is applicable if you are operating from council land/building).
    • Be open for public membership.
  • How to apply

    IMPORTANT: Please read the grant guidelines and the form before applying.

    Council staff involved in the administration of the Community Grants Program are available to provide general guidance to assist with the preparation of your application. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 242 686.

    Community Grant Program Applications can be completed online https://chrc.smartygrants.com.au/

    Alternatively, you can complete a hard copy of the grant, please contact a Grants Officer for this option.

    Templates:

    Community Grants Program – Project Plan-Template

    Community Grants Program-Strategic-Plan-Template

     

  • Templates
  • Assessment panel

    Central Highlands Regional Council is calling for community representatives to join the Community Grants Assessment Panel

    Grant applications are assessed by the Community Grants Assessment Panel, which includes council staff, councillors, and community representatives. 

    The term for community representatives on the assessment panel hold a term for two years. 

    The panel reviews all grant applications to provide a recommendation to council on which projects should be funded. 

    Panel members are selected on their demonstrated involvement in community life and their local knowledge of the Central Highlands. 

    The current panel members will assess grants from Round 1 2026/27 – Round 2 2027/28.

  • Community grant forms & guidelines

Applications can be submitted in the following categories to the maximum indicated:

  • Community assistance – up to $5000
    • Organisations with a community focus, not providing organised sport and recreation activities.
    • The organisation’s constitutions main objective is to provide community benefit.
  • Sport and recreation assistance – up to $5000
    • Organisations providing organised sport and recreation activities.
    • The organisation’s constitution main objective is to provide organised sport and recreation activities.
  • Community improvement – up to $20,000
    • Organisations with a focus on completing aspirations of their community in alignment with Council Strategic documents.
    • This category is open to both community-focused organisations and sport and recreation organisations.

Grants are offered twice a year.

Round
Opening Date
Closing Date
Applicants notified
Completed acquittal date
Round 2, 2025
1 August
15 September
October
Six months
Round 1, 2026
30 January
15 March
April
Six months
Round 2, 2026
1 August
15 September
October
Six months

 

Groups/ organisations applying for Central Highlands Regional Council Grants are required to:

  • Have the majority of members of the organisation/group reside in council’s local government area boundaries.
  • Operate predominately within council’s local government area boundaries.
  • Have acquitted any previous council grant satisfactorily.
  • Be free of debt with  council.
  • Be an incorporated ‘not-for-profit’ organisation or company limited by guarantee that has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a charity, tax exempt fund or deductable gift recipient. Note: religious organisations are not eligible.
  • Unincorporated groups are eligible to apply, providing that their application is made through the appropriate incorporated body which supports the program, project or activity.
  • Have relevant public liability insurance cover, except when the grant relates only to works being undertaken by a suitably insured contractor.
  • Make the facility or resource available to community through membership or other means.
  • Demonstrate a clear need for financial support and show that other avenues of financial support have been explored (e.g. other grant funding).
  • Submit the organisation’s most current financial statement (as submitted to the Office of Fair Trading) or latest treasurer’s report including bank balances covering previous12 months.
  • Submit a detailed budget for the program, project and/or activity and two (2) quotes from registered businesses, for all items to be funded for the grant (including where possible at least sourced in council boundaries).
  • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission
  • Provide in principle support from the landowner or trustee of the land prior to application submission.
  • Sought advice regarding building works and approval prior to application submission (if applicable).
  • Have a signed Tenure Agreement if one has been offered in excess of six months from the application date. (This criterion is applicable if you are operating from council land/building).
  • Be open for public membership.

IMPORTANT: Please read the grant guidelines and the form before applying.

Council staff involved in the administration of the Community Grants Program are available to provide general guidance to assist with the preparation of your application. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 242 686.

Community Grant Program Applications can be completed online https://chrc.smartygrants.com.au/

Alternatively, you can complete a hard copy of the grant, please contact a Grants Officer for this option.

Templates:

Community Grants Program – Project Plan-Template

Community Grants Program-Strategic-Plan-Template

 

Central Highlands Regional Council is calling for community representatives to join the Community Grants Assessment Panel

Grant applications are assessed by the Community Grants Assessment Panel, which includes council staff, councillors, and community representatives. 

The term for community representatives on the assessment panel hold a term for two years. 

The panel reviews all grant applications to provide a recommendation to council on which projects should be funded. 

Panel members are selected on their demonstrated involvement in community life and their local knowledge of the Central Highlands. 

The current panel members will assess grants from Round 1 2026/27 – Round 2 2027/28.

Community Event Support Program

The event assistance program supports individuals, groups, clubs and organisations seeking sponsorship or in-kind support for their events. The event must provide a community benefit and an opportunity for people in the region to gather, celebrate and participate. Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 of combined cash and in-kind funding.

  • Grant type
    • Fees and charges waiver
    • Financial assistance
    • In-kind assistance

     

    Please download the Community Support Program information booklet or see below for more information about the categories

  • Event timeframe guide
    Date range for eventRound which application can be submitted in
    1 October 2026 to 31 December 20261
    1 January 2027 to 31 March 20271 or 2
    1 April 2027 to 30 June 20271, 2 or 3
    1 July 2027 to 30 September 20271, 2, 3 or 4
  • Upcoming rounds

    Round 1

    Opening Date – 1 July 2026
    Closing Date – 30 July 2026
    Notification of Outcome – September 2026

     

    Round 2

    Opening Date – 1 October 2026
    Closing Date – 31 October 2026
    Notification of Outcome – December 2026

     

    Round 3

    Opening Date – 1 January 2027
    Closing Date – 31 January 2027
    Notification of Outcome – March 2027

     

    Round 4

    Opening Date – 1 April 2027
    Closing Date – 30 April 2027
    Notification of Outcome – June 2027

Central Highlands Grant Finder

Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) provide the Central Highlands Grant Finder to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. Visit the GrantGuru website for more.

 

State Government and community funding opportunities

For information about State Government funding opportunities head to the Queensland Government website

Budget Direct offers sponsorship grants of between $1000 and $5000 for community projects each quarter. For details visit Budget Direct.

Application Form for Funding