The Victorian Government recognises the important role that disability self help groups play. They boost social connection, mental health and wellbeing.
Applications for the disability self help grants are now open. Applications will close 4.00 pm on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Grants of up to $7,000 per year for 1 or 2 years are available to help disability self help groups to run (a total maximum of $14,000 over 2 years).
Priority groups for this round include:
- First Nations people
- young people (aged 12-25 years)
- women and girls
- people from culturally diverse communities
- neurodivergent people
- people who identify as LGBTIQA+
- people in regional or rural Victoria.
Victoria’s support for disability self help groups recognises the value of peer support. It aligns with the goals of Inclusive Victoria: State disability plan 2022-2026.
How can the grant be used
The grants support Victorian-based disability self help groups to:
- bring people with disability and their families together to share experiences
- provide mutual support
- foster community connection
- promote positive community attitudes and build disability pride.
Self help and peer support groups can seek funding under one or more of the following areas.
- Empowerment and resilience
- Sustainability and reach
- Diversity and inclusion
- Disability pride and recognition
Please check the program guidelines below for more information.
How to apply
Complete the application via the DFFH Grants Gateway.
Please make sure your group and proposed activity meets the eligibility criteria by:
- reading the Disability self help grant 2026-29 program guidelines (Word)
- attending the information session (optional but recommended)
- reading How to write a grant application on the Victorian Government website.
Summary and Easy read versions
- Disability self help grant program 2026–2028 – Summary (Word)
- Disability self help grant program 2026–2028 – Easy Read (PDF)
Supporting documents
Information session
The Office for Disability is holding an information session on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
Date: Thursday, 27 November
Time: 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
This session will provide:
- an overview of the program
- information on how to apply
- information on how to apply with an auspice.
The session will be held on zoom.
Auslan interpreting and captioning will be available during this session.
The session will be recorded.
To register please email the Office for Disability and please also let us know if you have any access needs.
For more information contact us
Office for Disability
disabilityshg@dffh.vic.gov.au
1300 880 043 (please leave a message and your contact details and we’ll return your call).