Caring for State Heritage Grants Program (Australia)

It is focused on the preservation, maintenance and conservation of items listed on the State Heritage Register. The NSW Government is committed to preserving the most significant heritage places and objects across NSW. Through the Caring for State Heritage Grants program, Heritage NSW is seeking projects that directly support better management, maintenance and conservation of State Heritage Register (SHR) listed items, as well as innovative ideas that will increase public access to these important assets.

The SHR is a list of items that are protected under the Heritage Act 1977 and represent heritage of particular importance to the people of NSW.

Funding Information

• This is a competitive funding round and eligible applicants can apply for up to:
  • $50,000 (ex GST) to develop a heritage management document for a State Heritage Register (SHR) listed item, or
  • $300,000 (ex GST) for works to a State Heritage Register (SHR) listed item.
  • Successful applicants must match funding and successful projects must be delivered between July 2025 and May 2027.

Eligible Projects

• There are 4 levels of heritage significance in NSW. Each level of heritage significance has a corresponding statutory listing and responsible authority for conserving these items. These are outlined below.
  • Local heritage items are listed on Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) by local councils in NSW.
  • State heritage items are listed on the State Heritage Register (SHR) by the NSW Government.
  • National heritage items are listed on the National Heritage List by the Australian Government.
  • World heritage items are listed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• To be eligible for this grant program the heritage item must be listed on the State Heritage Register (SHR) by the NSW Government.
• You can apply for funding if:
  • it is for a heritage management document or works to an SHR listed item
  • there are no active NSW Heritage Act 1977 compliance issues at the site
  • the project will be delivered between 1 July 2025 and 1 May 2027
  • the project will commence within 3 months of the funding agreement being signed
  • you have sought advice from Heritage NSW’s free pre-lodgement service for Heritage Act 1977 approvals for works projects
  • the project is not already underway. Retrospective projects will not be funded. Pre-planning of projects prior to the grant opening date is accepted however if works have been approved and/or have commenced the project is ineligible
  • the project will be delivered by an eligible applicant.
• Please note that only one application per SHR item will be accepted.

Who the grant is targeted towards?

• This grants category is for:
  • a single item listed on State Heritage Register (SHR) by the NSW Government
  • applicants who fall under the following categories:
    • business with operations and headquarters in NSW
    • individual
    • local government in NSW
    • not-for-profit (non-government organisation or community group) with operations and headquarters in NSW.
• applicants who are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the SHR, with written support of the owners of the site (if you are a manager or lessee), and/or with written support of all owners or owners’ corporation (if the site has multiple owners)
• applicants who have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the heritage values of the item listed on the SHR.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are eligible to apply for the Caring for State Heritage Grants category if you:
  • are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the SHR in NSW:
    • with written support of the owners of the site (if you are a manager or lessee)
    • with written support of all owners or owners’ corporation (if the site has multiple owners).
  • have legal responsibility for maintenance and repair of the SHR listed item
  • agree to provide matched funding for the project
  • are a local council, business, non-government organisation, community group or individual, with your operations and headquarters in NSW (if you are a business or incorporated entity).
• Applicants without an ABN or ACN will have to provide a statement by supplier form.
• Please note, you are required to hold at least $20 million in public liability insurance in order to enter into a funding deed with the NSW Government. You are not required to have this insurance at the time of application. If successful, you will be asked to provide a copy of your certificate of currency when entering into a funding agreement.

For more information, visit Australian Government.