Growing Regions Round 3: what we know
Round 3 of the Growing Regions Program is forecast, not open. It will offer grants of $250,000 to $15 million from a pool of $750 million over three years, shared between Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs (2026–27 Budget). Guidelines are expected from late 2026 (checked 30 October 2026).
When does Growing Regions Round 3 open?
No opening date has been announced. The forecast notice (FO20260609) says guidelines are expected from late 2026. We will update this page within 24 hours of the guidelines being published, and log the change on our news page.
What is confirmed for Round 3?
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Forecast only. Applications cannot be submitted yet | infrastructure.gov.au |
| Forecast notice | FO20260609 | GrantConnect |
| Funding pool | $750 million over three years, shared between Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs (2026–27 Budget) | infrastructure.gov.au |
| Grant size | $250,000 to $15 million | GrantConnect |
| Who can apply | Local government councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations | GrantConnect |
| Where | Projects outside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs). Projects inside GCCSAs fall under Thriving Suburbs | infrastructure.gov.au |
| Guidelines | Expected from late 2026 | GrantConnect |
| Selection process | Open, competitive and merit-based | infrastructure.gov.au |
| Program enquiries | growingregions@infrastructure.gov.au | GrantConnect |
What has changed since Rounds 1 and 2?
- A new, shared funding pool. Round 3 draws on $750 million over three years, shared between Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs (2026–27 Budget). The $600 million figure covers Rounds 1 and 2 (2023–24), not Round 3.
- Two programs, split by geography. Projects inside Greater Capital City Statistical Areas go to Thriving Suburbs; projects outside them go to Growing Regions.
- Grant range. Round 3 grants are $250,000 to $15 million.
Anything else, including co-funding shares, minimum spend and assessment criteria, is not yet confirmed for Round 3. The Round 1/2 rules below are the best guide until the guidelines are released.
What did the Round 1/2 rules say?
Round 1/2 rules, Round 3 TBC.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Construction | Construction must not have commenced | 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) |
| Assessment criteria | Criterion 1 economic and social benefit (40 points); Criterion 2 alignment with regional and government priorities (20 points); Criterion 3 capacity, capability and readiness (40 points). Applicants need at least 60 per cent against each criterion | 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) |
What does the timeline look like?
| Stage | What we know |
|---|---|
| Forecast | Published as FO20260609. Applications cannot be submitted yet. |
| Guidelines | Expected from late 2026. |
| Application window | Not announced. Precedent: Round 2 was open 5 September to 10 October 2024 (five weeks), single-stage. |
| Assessment and awards | Not announced. Precedent: about four months for Round 1 and about eleven months for Round 2. |
What should we do now?
If the window follows Round 2's five weeks, there is no time to commission designs and quotes after the guidelines land. Use the time now to settle scope, secure land owner permission, get quotes for major costs and draft the business case. Our readiness checklist lists the evidence assessors asked for in Rounds 1 and 2.
Program enquiries go to the department at growingregions@infrastructure.gov.au.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Markdown version