> ## Site Index
> Fetch the complete index of this site at: https://growingregions.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Independent guide by Industrial Automation Group. Not affiliated with the Australian Government. Official source: infrastructure.gov.au.

# Growing Regions eligibility explained

> Local government councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations can apply for Growing Regions Round 3, for projects outside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas. Other rules, such as co-funding and minimum spend, are confirmed only for Rounds 1 and 2 so far (checked 30 October 2026).

## Who can apply for Growing Regions Round 3?

Local government councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations. Round 1 also funded First Nations organisations that were incorporated not-for-profits, such as land councils and Aboriginal corporations: see the [funded projects](https://growingregions.com.au/funded-projects/).

## Where does the project need to be?

Projects outside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs). Projects inside GCCSAs fall under Thriving Suburbs. If your project is in or near a capital city, check the GCCSA boundary on the Australian Bureau of Statistics maps before you go further.

| Fact | Detail | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who can apply | Local government councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations | [GrantConnect](https://www.grants.gov.au/Fo/Show?FoUuid=c417341a-cdf3-4731-a0a8-f0740662d7d0) |
| Where | Projects outside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs). Projects inside GCCSAs fall under Thriving Suburbs | [infrastructure.gov.au](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/community-infrastructure-thriving-suburbs-growing-regions) |
| Grant size | $250,000 to $15 million | [GrantConnect](https://www.grants.gov.au/Fo/Show?FoUuid=c417341a-cdf3-4731-a0a8-f0740662d7d0) |
| Selection process | Open, competitive and merit-based | [infrastructure.gov.au](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/community-infrastructure-thriving-suburbs-growing-regions) |

## What project rules applied in Rounds 1 and 2?

**Round 1/2 rules, Round 3 TBC.**

| Fact | Detail | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Construction | Construction must not have commenced | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Minimum eligible expenditure (Round 1) | $555,556 (Group 1), $714,286 (Group 2) or $1,000,000 (Group 3) | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Co-funding Group 1 | Up to 90% Commonwealth funding: First Nations community-controlled organisations, very remote projects, or disaster-impacted sites | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Co-funding Group 2 | Up to 70% Commonwealth funding: remote projects, or councils on a named list of low rate-base councils (for example Wyalkatchem, Tammin, Kellerberrin, Dowerin, Hay and Coolamon) | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Co-funding Group 3 | Up to 50% Commonwealth funding: everyone else | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Mandatory attachments | Recent quotes for major costs; evidence of cash contributions; land owner permission; evidence supporting the co-funding group | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |
| Ineligible costs | Grant preparation, business cases and feasibility studies; repairs or like-for-like replacement without significant added benefit | Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) |

## How does co-funding work?

Under Round 1/2 rules, the Commonwealth paid a share of eligible project costs and the applicant (with any other contributors) paid the rest. The share depended on the co-funding group:

- **Group 1:** up to 90% Commonwealth funding.
- **Group 2:** up to 70% Commonwealth funding.
- **Group 3:** up to 50% Commonwealth funding.

Applicants had to provide evidence for the group they claimed, and evidence of their cash contributions. Round 3 shares are to be confirmed.

## When should we check eligibility more carefully?

- Construction has started, or contracts have been let.
- The project is a repair or like-for-like replacement without significant added benefit.
- Someone else owns the land and permission is not yet in writing.
- The project is close to a capital city boundary.
- The organisation is not incorporated, or is not a council.

An eligibility checker is coming soon. Until then, tell us about your project and we will give you an indicative answer based on the Round 1/2 rules.

Checked on 30 October 2026.

## Sources

- [Growing Regions Program Round 3 forecast notice (FO20260609)](https://www.grants.gov.au/Fo/Show?FoUuid=c417341a-cdf3-4731-a0a8-f0740662d7d0) (GrantConnect)
- [Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions programs](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/community-infrastructure-thriving-suburbs-growing-regions) (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts)
- Growing Regions Program grant opportunity guidelines (Round 1) (Australian Government)

## Related pages

- [Growing Regions Round 3: what we know](https://growingregions.com.au/round-3.md)
- [How to prepare for Growing Regions Round 3: readiness checklist](https://growingregions.com.au/how-to-prepare.md)
- [Growing Regions Program FAQ](https://growingregions.com.au/faq.md)
- [Growing Regions funded projects database](https://growingregions.com.au/funded-projects.md)

Get free Round 3 readiness support: https://growingregions.com.au/get-round-3-ready/

Canonical page: https://growingregions.com.au/eligibility/