Funding flows: reading the landscape after the 2026-27 Budget

23 July

I may be a little literal, but when I think about funding streams, I like to imagine an eagle’s perspective of the landscape.

From above, there’s a clearer view of tributaries and their sources – and, with an eagle eye or understanding of what to look for, hidden flows or stores and how resources can reach communities and ecosystems downstream.

When funding seems a little dry, I like to remember the idea of base flow – groundwater and other hidden reserves held within the landscape (my metaphor would be stronger if I'd studied hydrology or geography, I guess!).

It’s around 10 weeks since the Australian Government released the 2026–27 Budget in mid-May. The months that follow are when priorities begin to move downstream as programs are designed, guidelines are released and tender opportunities emerge or are confirmed for another round.

Developing a broader view of funding landscapes, seasons and cycles can help organisations build a pipeline and plan projects rather than waiting for funding announcements.

“Developing a broader view of funding landscapes, seasons and cycles can help organisations build a pipeline and plan projects rather than waiting for funding announcements.”

Instead of searching for open funding opportunities, or reactively scrambling to pull together a grant application or project plan, organisations can plan for where resources will flow, ensuring work aligns with the outcomes programs are designed to achieve.

The challenge is not only finding an open grant. It’s understanding:

Who holds the resources (which government department or agency)
What need, challenge or opportunity drove the Budget allocation (for example, housing)
What outcomes are prioritised (for example, stronger communities, improved resilience or economic growth), and
How those resources can flow to where they can create meaningful impact (grants, service delivery tenders, awards or other programs)

Key funding pools to watch

1. Future Drought Fund (FDF)

Department: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

The Future Drought Fund is a long-term investment stream designed to support drought preparedness, agricultural resilience and regional adaptation. Priorities include:

farm business resilience 
innovation 
knowledge sharing 
technology adoption 
regional capability

Examples of programs and pathways include:

Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs (Drought Hubs) 
Regional Drought Resilience Planning and projects 
Farm Business Resilience Program 
drought resilience initiatives 
farmer and community capability programs 
research and innovation initiatives supporting drought preparedness

The Rural Financial Counselling Service is another example of how investment in regional resilience can flow through a service delivery tendering process. I have experience with this one but the 2027-2032 tender round already closed January 2026, announced around September.

2. Disaster Ready Fund (DRF)

Department: Department of Home Affairs

The Disaster Ready Fund reflects ongoing investment in reducing the impacts of natural hazards before they occur. It supports projects that strengthen:

community preparedness 
risk reduction 
resilience infrastructure 
disaster mitigation

Examples of programs and pathways include:

Disaster Ready Fund grant rounds 
disaster mitigation infrastructure projects 
flood, bushfire, cyclone and other natural hazard resilience projects 
partnerships between governments, councils and communities to reduce disaster risk

While drought resilience and disaster resilience can overlap, the funding pathway depends on the primary outcome being sought.

In my experience, new programs can open soon after a natural disaster such as flood or bushfire, for affected communities.

3. Natural Heritage Trust (NHT)

Department: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Environmental investment supports priorities including:

biodiversity 
land restoration 
soil health 
waterways 
sustainable resource management

Examples of programs and pathways include:

Natural Heritage Trust grant programs 
regional natural resource management initiatives 
landscape restoration projects 
biodiversity conservation projects 
sustainable agriculture initiatives

Projects often sit at the intersection of environmental, agricultural and community outcomes.

The opportunity lies in understanding which outcome is driving the investment and aligning the project accordingly.

4. Health and research investment, Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)

Department: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The Medical Research Future Fund is a long-term investment fund supporting health and medical research and innovation.

Examples of programs and pathways include:

MRFF grant opportunities 
health and medical research missions 
clinical trials 
translation-focused research 
health innovation initiatives

The Australian Research Council is another example of upstream investment.

Portfolio: Education
 Department: Department of Education

Examples of programs and pathways include:

National Competitive Grants Program 
Discovery Program 
Linkage Program 
research partnerships between universities, industry and community organisations

These investments build research capability and knowledge that can contribute to future innovation and community outcomes.

Disclaimer: I have no experience in this area! : ) Research funding is a specialist area, with opportunities often requiring specific expertise

5. Industry, innovation and export investment

Departments and agencies include: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Austrade (Australian Trade and Investment Commission) and research agencies

Australia’s economic capability remains a significant investment priority.

This pool includes:

innovation 
research 
commercialisation 
manufacturing 
industry development 
export capability

Examples of programs and pathways include:

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) administered by Austrade  (I’ve worked successfully on and acquitted a number of these)
industry capability-building programs 
international market development initiatives 
trade opportunities 
procurement pathways 
recognition through awards such as the Australian Export Awards (I have experience with this one too)

The Australian Export Awards are an example of how policy priorities can flow through recognition programs as well as direct investment.

6. Housing, communities, regional development

Multiple departments and agencies, including Housing Australia, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and infrastructure-related agencies

Investment in stronger communities and places includes areas such as:

housing supply, affordability and homelessness
disability and inclusion
employment
health and wellbeing
arts and culture
community services
regional and community infrastructure

Examples of programs and pathways include:

Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF)
National Housing Accord-related investment
community services grants
disability and inclusion programs
employment services contracts
housing and homelessness initiatives
Thriving Suburbs Program
Growing Regions Program
community infrastructure funding

These areas often involve multiple pathways. An organisation may receive support through a grant, deliver outcomes through a government contract or participate in a partnership model.

First Nations priorities across government investment

Appropriately, First Nations priorities intersect across many areas of government investment and are delivered through multiple portfolios and agencies. The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) coordinates significant elements.

If your work contributes to stronger outcomes for First Nations communities, consider how it aligns with community-led priorities, Closing the Gap outcomes and the objectives of the relevant funding program.