Heritage grants

The program is managed by Heritage NSW and supported by the Heritage Council of NSW.

2025–27 funding round now closed

See other grant opportunities from NSW Government on the NSW Grants and Funding Finder.

Aboriginal cultural heritage grants

This funding category supports management, maintenance, conservation and activation of declared Aboriginal Places under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Activating state heritage grant

This funding category aims to increase public engagement with items listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. It is designed to protect and promote state heritage by incentivising owners to invest in heritage activation.

Applications were invited that demonstrate a better use of space, engage community in heritage, contribute to community wellbeing and support economic activity and vibrancy within our local areas.

Caring for state heritage grants

This funding category will help to recognise, value and care for state significant heritage in New South Wales. It is focused on the preservation, maintenance and conservation of items listed on the State Heritage Register.

Local government heritage grants

This funding category aims to support, promote and realise the values of locally significant heritage.

Grant success stories

Watch these videos to hear from previous grant recipients how their grants made a difference.

2023–25 Emergency works grants 

The Emergency works grants are open all year round to eligible applicants and subject to available funding.

This funding supports protection or repairs to declared Aboriginal Places or items listed on the State Heritage Register that have been damaged by unexpected events (such as an extreme storm or accident) and where your insurance does not cover this cost.

Before applying, confirm the heritage listing of the item needing emergency works by checking the State Heritage Inventory. Locally listed heritage items are not eligible for this funding.

Read the guidelines for eligible works and activities: Emergency Works Grants 2023–25 Funding Guidelines [PDF 240KB]

Submit an Emergency works application

Resources for developing a heritage grant application

These resources were developed specifically for the 2025–27 round which has now closed. We will publish updated information for the next funding round.

Webinar 1: Understanding the NSW Heritage Grants program

Watch this video to help set your NSW Heritage Grant application up for success. Learn the updated process and get tips to improve your application. This webinar was for people who applied for the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Activating State Heritage, Caring for State Heritage, or Local Government categories.

Webinar 2: Creating a video for an Activating State Heritage grant application

Watch this video to master your video creation skills and set your Activating State Heritage Grant application up for success. Learn how to confidently sharing your project's public impact potential and get tips to create a compelling 5-minute video aligned with funding criteria. This webinar was for people who applied for the Activating State Heritage category.

Aboriginal cultural heritage grants eligibility criteria

Activating state heritage grant eligibility criteria

Caring for state heritage grants eligibility criteria

Local government heritage grants eligibility criteria