Self help funding
Information on this page
- Purpose of these grants
- Funding and administration
- Who can get assistance
- How to get assistance
- Related documents
- Further information
Purpose of these grants
The Disability Self-Help Funding Program and Health Self-Help Funding Program provide non-recurrent grants of up to $5,000 to disability and health self-help groups across the State that are not eligible for other government grants. The primary objective of the programs is to increase the capacity of people who are affected by a disability, chronic health condition and/or mental illness, to live independently and fully in their own community.
The broad aims of the Disability Self-Help Funding Program and Health Self-Help Funding Program are to provide financial support to self-help groups to:
- Increase the capacity of people with a disability, chronic health condition or mental illness to live independently and fully in their own community
- Encourage a network of peer support and information exchange for people with a disability, chronic health condition or mental illness and their families and carers within their communities
- Increase opportunities for self-help groups to provide information and education on the conditions and problems that they experience.
Funding and administration
The Disability Self-Help Funding Program is funded by the Department of Planning and Community Development (External link) and administered by Disability Services, Department of Human Services (DHS). The Health Self-Help Funding Program is funded and administered by the Rural and Regional Health and Aged Care Services (External link) at DHS.
Who can get assistance
A self-help group is a group of people who meet of their own accord to assist each other to better understand and more effectively manage their health needs, in relation to a disability or a chronic health condition.
The Programs are open to all self-help groups that focus on a disability, a chronic health condition or a mental illness and provide mutual support and education programs to members as well as community information about the disability or illness.
Funding is not available for generalist health and wellbeing groups.
In addition, a self-help group must be:
- Operated and administered separately from a larger organisation (e.g. have a separate committee of management and separate ABN)
- Non-profit making
- Managed by its members
- An organisation with a specific ongoing membership, not just an activity or education group run by a health or disability agency.
How to get assistance
To apply, complete an application form and deliver it to the relevant Disability Self Help Funding Program or Health Self Help Funding Program Contact Officer.
Self help Funding Application Form (PDF 193.0 kb) OR 
Self help Funding Application Form (Word 388.0 kb)- Disability Self Help Funding Program Guidelines (Word 101.5 kb)
- Health Self Help Funding Program Guidelines (Word 99.0 kb)
- List of Department of Human Services contact officers (Word 48.5 kb )
Completed applications must be either submitted electronically or hand delivered or posted to DHS by 5pm on 17 November 2008. No late or faxed applications will be accepted.
Related documents
- Department of Human Services Privacy Policy (from August 2005) (External link)
- The Statement by a supplier (External link) form is available from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website
Further Information
Contact your nearest Department of Human Services contact officer: