Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2026 Stream 2 - Thriving Kids Disability Advocacy

This is a preview of the DAFP 2026: Stream 2 - Thriving Kids form. You will be able to start a submission when the round opens at 9:00am 19 October 2026 (AEDT)
 

Disability Advocacy Futures Program: 2026 Grant Stream 2 Thriving Kids

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Program Details

In NSW, approximately 1.5 million people live with disability. Of those, approximately 13% are eligible for services and supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Disability Advocacy Futures Program (DAFP) commenced on 1 January 2022 to support all people with disability in NSW to access NSW Government funded and delivered services.

The DAFP 2026 Grant Stream 2 - Thriving Kids grant round will focus on improving outcomes for children aged 0 to 8 years with developmental delay and/or autism, and their families, carers and kin. The grant round will support initiatives that promote early intervention, prevention and community-based supports, helping children to thrive in their families, communities and everyday environments.

The grant round aims to create stronger pathways for children and families to access the supports they need, when they need them, and to build more connected, responsive and sustainable community support systems across NSW.

As a result of the new Thriving Kids program a new cohort of people may need assistance to access and navigate NSW government and mainstream services in a safe and supported way.

The DAFP grants include targeted, one-off funding for organisations to deliver projects that: 

  • support parents, families and kin of children with disability in NSW to navigate services and access appropriate supports
  • strengthen the capacity of not-for-profit organisations to drive long-term social change for people and / or children with disability
  • enable policy advocacy organisations, led by or operating on behalf of people with disability, to collaborate with government on the development of effective disability policy.

Up to $1,000,000 (excluding GST) in total funding is available for projects across a duration of 12 months.

Applicants can apply for funding from $30,000 to $100,000 for projects that meet the assessment criteria.

This field is read only. The program this submission is in.

Instructions for Applicants

Applicants are encouraged to read all the details in the Grant Program Guidelines before applying.  

Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please Note:

  • This grant is one-off funding with a fixed 12 months term ending February 2028.
  • Your application must be accurate and complete upon submission. 
  • All projects must be located within NSW and must be delivered in full within 12 months.
  • Submissions close on 24 November at 4pm.
  • Late applications will not be accepted.

Support available:

If you have any questions, please contact the Disability Data, Engagement and Advocacy team by email at DAFP@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

If you experience any difficulties with preparing or submitting your application please email Grant Design and Support at GrantDesignandSupport@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Please quote your Application Number (below) when contacting the Department of Communities and Justice.

This field is read only. 

Disclaimer

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
  • it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and DCJ does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected; and
  • it has read the Grant Program Guidelines and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

Use of Information

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • if this application is successful, the relevant details of the proposal will be made public, including details such as the names of the organisation (Applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded;
  • DCJ will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act); and
  • in some circumstances DCJ may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.

Privacy Notice

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

  • DCJ is required to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (the Privacy Act) and that any personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) collected by the Department in relation to the program will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and its privacy policy (available at: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/statements/privacy/privacy-policy.html);
  • the information they provide to DCJ in connection with this application will be collected and stored on a database and will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected (including, where necessary, being disclosed to other Government agencies in connection with the assessment of the merits of an application) or as otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act;
  • they have taken steps to ensure that any person whose personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) is included in this application has consented to the fact that DCJ and other Government agencies may be supplied with that personal information, and has been made aware of the purposes for which it has been collected and may be used.

Eligibility Confirmation

This section of the application form is designed to help you, and us, understand if the organisation meets the eligibility criteria for DAFP 2026 Grant Stream 2 - Thriving Kids. It's important that all of the points listed below are confirmed before you complete your application to ensure that you do not spend time applying for an unsuitable grant.
 
Please declare this application meets the Program eligibility criteria:
  • I have read and understand the Grant Program Guidelines
  • Proposed project aligns with the objectives of the program that are included in the Grant Program Guidelines
  • Proposed project will be located in NSW
  • Will provide a Certificate of Currency for a minimum of $10 million Public Liability Insurance
  • Our organisation does not have any overdue acquittals with DCJ
  • Our organistion has addressed the NSW Redress Scheme Sanctions
  • Projects can commence within March 2027 and be completed within February 2028.
I confirm that the applicant and project is eligible according to the criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines * Required