Better Beginnings Community Grants Program Guidelines

Applications open Friday 22 August 2025

What is Better Beginnings?

The State Library’s Better Beginnings program is a Western Australian early literacy program that connects families with books through free reading packs. Our goal is to inspire a love of reading and learning for all Western Australian children by encouraging families to read, talk, sing, write and play with their child every day.

The key aim of Better Beginnings is to support the development of literacy in children from birth; providing them with greater potential to grow, learn and develop, perform well at school, and succeed in later life. Improved literacy levels across Western Australia contribute to the creation of a skilled workforce and future economic development.

Better Beginnings is developed and managed by the State Library of Western Australia and delivered in partnership with Western Australian local governments which operate 233 public libraries throughout the State.

Western Australian Public Libraries sit at the heart of Better Beginnings, acting as the community hubs supporting parents in their role as their child’s first teacher. They are the distribution point for the Better Beginnings program within their community and liaise with local schools and Community Child Health Nurses to ensure the program is accessible to families in their area. Many public libraries deliver early childhood programs at their library which support the Better Beginnings program and encourage families to read, talk, sing, write and play with their child every day.

In delivering Better Beginnings, the State Library also works with the Child and Adolescent Health Service, Child and Adolescent Community Health and the WA Country Health Service to deliver reading packs to parents at their baby’s 6 - 8 week child health visit, and again at their 2 year visit.  The Kindergarten program is delivered in partnership with the Department of Education, the Association of Independent Schools and the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia.

The program is funded by the Government of Western Australia (including Royalties for Regions), Western Australian local governments and Rio Tinto.

Better Beginnings Community Grants Program 

In March 2021, a State Government election commitment enabled the State Library to implement four rounds of grant funding. The success of the Better Beginnings Community Grants Program has led to a further two rounds of funding being made available to assist libraries and community organisations to develop early literacy activities to meet their local community needs.

Purpose

The Better Beginnings Community Grants Program prioritises funding for new and innovative literacy activities focused on building the crucial parent-child relationship essential for the highest impact of early literacy development (0-5 years). The funding does not replace resources for activities already in existence and is seeking exciting new proposals and ideas for activities that reach new audiences/participants. 

In particular, the Program seeks to encourage partnerships across public libraries and community groups to develop relevant literacy activities, events, publications, and programs that increase access for the key vulnerable communities identified as displaying low literacy levels against Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) domains.

Priority will also be placed on projects that demonstrate sustainability and that can be shared across networks and the community.

Funding categories

$200,000 per annum is available in the following categories:

Better Beginnings Micro Grants

· A pool of $80,000 per year for Micro Grants, from $5,000 up to $10,000 for Local Governments, public libraries and community groups or organisations.

· Innovative small projects can include new program development, community book production (with relevant activities that connect them to the parent/child interaction), interactive technology, new events, increased marketing, and promotion to new communities, targeted bi-lingual or cultural projects that promote the early literacy messages aligned with Better Beginnings aims.

Micro Grants may be used for the development and testing of pilot initiatives that may become eligible for the Better Beginnings Innovation Grants.

Better Beginnings Innovation Grants

· A pool of $120,000 per year for longer term programs, or innovative partnerships between Local Governments, public libraries and community groups and organisations, from $10,001 up to $30,000.

Local Governments may apply for projects to be delivered across multiple library branches in their jurisdiction.

· Innovative programs and/or partnerships will address early childhood vulnerabilities against AEDC language and cognitive measures for school readiness, target multicultural and/or Indigenous communities, increase access through development of innovative sensory or play based learning initiatives.

· Innovative cross-community partnerships that strengthen health, social and cultural responses to early literacy development are encouraged.

AEDC research and evaluation of Better Beginnings indicates that socio-educational inequities of access and outcomes exist within:

· Remote communities.

· Indigenous communities.

· Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

· Financially disadvantaged communities

There is also evidence of low levels of literacy where families and parents display low literacy levels themselves.

Priorities will apply to applications to the Better Beginnings Community Grants Program.

Applications for both the Micro and the Innovation Grants must:

1. Increase the engagement and connection between parent and child in early literacy activities (0-5 years of age), building confidence in families to read, talk, sing, write and play; and 

2. Explore new ways to engage families and the community in early literacy activities, reaching new participants who have been difficult to engage before.

Applications for the Innovation Grant ($10,001 - $30,000) must also:

3. Address barriers to participation for regional and remote, Indigenous, CALD or disadvantaged communities.

4. Indicate opportunities for sustainability beyond this funding program’s investment; and

5. Build partnerships across community/ health/ cultural groups and organisations, that embed literacy outcomes in the longer term.

You will be asked to set targets against specified measures for each of the outcomes above.

How much can I apply for?

Better Beginnings Micro Grants
Eligible applicants can apply for $5,000 to $10,000 (up to 80% of total project costs).

Better Beginnings Innovation Grants
Eligible applicants can apply for from $10,001 to $30,000 (up to 80% of total project costs).

When, and how many times, can I apply?

The Better Beginnings Community Grants Program will open for online applications from 9am (AWST) on Friday 22 August 2025.

Applications will close at 5pm (AWST) on Friday 26 September 2025.

Applicants may apply to both funding categories: Micro Grants ($5,000 - $10,000), and Innovation Grants ($10,001 - $30,000) each year, but not for the same project. Applicants are restricted to one application per category in each grant funding round.

Applicants may only receive two Innovation Grants ($10,001 - $30,000) in total, from commencement of the grants program in 2021. Applicants may apply for the development of the same project progressively over these two applications.

 Applications for public libraries must be submitted through the Local Government Authority, multiple branch-based projects are eligible in the Innovation category.

Payment of funds is dependent on completing any outstanding acquittals. Projects must be completed within 12 months of contracting and acquitted within 4 weeks of the end of the project contract.

Who can apply?

Public libraries, though their Local Government Authority.
Not-for-profit community groups and organisations already established and operating in WA are welcome to apply, however:

• Organisations must be registered under law (e.g., incorporated association, company limited by guarantee).
• Un-incorporated groups, teams, or partnerships informally collaborating on an activity must be based in Western Australia and require a public library or incorporated community group to act as an auspicing body. Please speak to the Better Beginnings team before commencing your application.
• If  you are applying on behalf of Aboriginal people, you must provide evidence of significant Aboriginal involvement in the conception, development of and participation in the activity.

Please note:

• WA educational institutions (kindergartens, primary schools) cannot apply.
• Individuals cannot apply for this funding alone, and must be part of a group, organisation, or partnership.

Eligible activities

You may apply for costs associated with delivering new family literacy activities and events within Western Australia including:

· Materials, equipment, and technology that will improve or increase the access to early family literacy activities and/or events.

· New kits or specialist resources to support a new program are eligible and can be made available for loan to patrons.

· Consultancy support and expertise in developing new activities, events and programs, including travel costs. This can include training for staff if it supports the early literacy aims of the grant application and will give library staff the skills required to continue the program past the funding round.

· Professional writers, performers, groups and musicians to deliver activities, events and programs.

· Production and publication costs associated with community-specific books or online programs, this includes any cultural or language specific advice and input, dependent on the application making clear the activities that link the publication to the development of the parent/child relationship.

· Marketing and promotional materials that increase awareness of family literacy activities, events and programs, as well as the Better Beginnings messages.

· Fees for professional documentation of outcomes of the activities and events, for future sharing, use online and/or reporting.

· Passive infrastructure that promotes early literacy to families in the absence of programming. This could include signage and resources that engage families to the read, talk sing, write and play.

· Tier 2 and 3 public libraries and small community organisations may be able to apply for relief for staffing support for substantial periods for research and partnership development. Clear justification for this need must be provided.

 

All facilitators that engage with children should also abide by the State Government’s Working with Children Check guidelines.

What can’t I apply for?

The aim of this funding program is to increase activities in the early family literacy area, and to increase the reach and inclusion of these programs to those families and communities who may not currently have access to them. The following are not eligible for this funding:

· Programs that currently exist and are already funded. You may apply for projects that exist elsewhere, but are new to your community, or will be tailored to suit a new target audience or community.

· Re-imbursement of costs associated with a project started before the funding contract is awarded.

· Core library and community organisations staffing and administration costs.

· General library collection purchases (this refers to general stock).

· Training costs which do not support the early literacy aims of the grant application.

· Capital works, vehicles or refurbishment projects. This includes library fit outs (furniture, shelving) and building projects.

· University or academic research activities.

· Charitable fundraising activities, prizes, competitions and trophies.

What will make my application ineligible?

Your application becomes ineligible if you:

· Submit a late application.

· Submit an incomplete application or one that exceeds the limits of submission.

· Include requests for items in the excluded costs of a program, activity or event above.

· Request funds that are more than 80% of the total project cost, or more than the limits of the grant category.

· Exceed the number of applications you are allowed to this program.

· Are not a Local Government Authority, public library, community group or organisation registered under law (e.g., incorporated association, company limited by guarantee) or auspiced by such an organisation.

· Are a Portfolio organisation of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport and Cultural Industries.

· Are a WA educational institution (kindergartens, primary schools).

Assessment and notification

Applications are assessed by a panel of representatives from Senior Management of the State Library of Western Australia, the Public Library network, and the early years sector.

Assessment is based on the following:

1. Strength of the application’s proposal to meet the aims and priorities of the Better Beginnings program 

2. Ability of the proposal to reach the target audience and achieve expected outcomes 

3. Financial and project planning: is this achievable? 

For Innovation Grants, sustainability beyond one round of funding will also be taken into consideration as a criterion for assessment.

The timeline is provided below.

· Friday 22 August 2025: Better Beginnings Community Grants open for applications.

· Friday 26 September 2025: Applications close.

· End October 2025: Assessment and approval of recommended applications completed.

· November – December 2025: Applicants notified of outcomes. Contracting for successful applicants completed.

· January 2026 – December 2026: Micro and Innovation Grants projects implemented across 12 months

· 31 January 2027: Acquittals completed.

Financial information and budget information

Requested budget information is focused on the income and expenditure of the program or project application you are making only.

Expenditure items can be grouped in categories:

· Administration: includes telephone, internet costs, postage, insurance, accessibility costs, financial management, printing cost, software/app licensing.

· Marketing and Promotion: advertising, design, documentation gathering, editing, printing, banners, posters and flyers, website development, social media.

· Development and Production: materials and equipment, costumes, props, publications, venues, research, language translations, filming costs.

· Salaries and Fees: professional fees, consultancy fees, commissioning fees, staff costs being aligned to the project (own contribution), photographers, filmmakers etc.

Ensure you have researched the costs of the elements of your project through seeking quotes and consultancy fees, even if you won’t be submitting them as support material. Additional funding is not available for any under-estimated project costs once the grant application has been approved.

Please note elements of the budget that cannot be funded by the Better Beginnings Innovation Grant funding and ensure these are offset in your Income sections of the overall Project budget.

The 20% required income level may come from your own organisation’s funding contributions, other sponsorships, donations or grant applications, partnership contributions, or in-kind contributions such as staff time, venue hire, administration costs etc.

You must show your expenditure exclusive of the GST component. GST will not be paid as part of this funding.

Support material

A small amount of support material may be submitted to assist the assessment panel understand the proposed activities, events, or programs. This should be kept to text or photographic documentation that you can upload, or links to websites, event pages, Vimeo sites for examples of previous activities.

It may be useful to include:

· Resumes, biographical information or proposals from any professional expertise/consultants you wish to assist with your project.

· Letters of confirmation from partners or collaborators of their involvement.

· Quotes for major equipment, technology, production expenses (over $2,000).

· Confirmation of agreed financial and in-kind contributions to the project.

· Examples of previous activities, events or programs undertaken by the proposed team members.

Acquittal Reporting

If you are successful with your application, you will be required to provide a final acquittal report at the conclusion of your project. This report will be submitted through the online Submittable platform.

The report should detail the outcomes of the project funding, the participant target groups reached and their satisfaction and feedback on the project, as well as an indication of the future status of the project (e.g., whether the funded program will continue or not). The financial report component should provide the actual expenditure and income against the proposed figures from your original application. Differences are acceptable, all projects change in implementation. Provide notes on any significant differences between the proposed and actual figures. A financial statement signed by the CFO in your organisation will need to be submitted. Appropriate wording for the statement will be provided to successful applicants.

Documentation on the project’s outcomes such as photographs, video or written feedback will provide evidence of implementation, and enable Better Beginnings to promote future grants rounds. Please ensure any participants featured in photographs and video footage have provided consent for promotional use of their image.

Further information on the acquittal reporting will be provided to successful grant recipients.

The State Government of Western Australia provides funding, via the State Library of Western Australia (SLWA), to support public library services in the State. Funds are provided to local governments on an annual basis via grant funding, based on an agreed allocation model. 

Local governments in Tier 2 of the Public Library Services Framework are eligible to apply for an Encouraging Promising Practice grant of up to $5,000 (GST exempt) to fund library projects that address an identified community need and contribute to meeting local priorities. 

A total of $120,000 is available between the Encouraging Promising Practice Grants (Tier 2) and the Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants (Tiers 2 and 3) in the 2025-26 financial year. Applications for the 2024-25 grants will close once all available funds have been awarded, or on 10 April 2026. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis as they are received. Projects are required to be completed by June 30, 2026. 

Purpose and Objectives 

The Encouraging Promising Practice Grants are designed to enable local governments in Tier 2 to better respond to the priorities of their communities in providing a 21st century public library service. 

The objective of the Encouraging Promising Grants is to:  

Support projects and prototypes that extend the capacity of small regional public library services to enhance their communities through building literacy, learning and skill development and increasing access to and engagement with library services and materials. 

Encouraging Promising Practice Grant proposals should address priorities identified in your Local Government’s Strategic Community Plan, and, if relevant, library plan/s. 

Local Governments in Tier 2 may submit one (1) Encouraging Promising Practice Grant application annually to a maximum value of $5,000 (GST excluded) per grant. 

The following provides broad funding categories and examples of projects that may be funded under the terms of the Encouraging Promising Practice Grant. 

Customer Experience 

New services or changes to existing services that improve access to the library (services and materials) for the community, e.g. outreach services such as a home delivery service or school membership drive, outreach services targeting non-library users, etc. 

Furniture and equipment for a new or existing space/service, e.g. youth space, library of things (musical instruments cooking appliances, seed library, etc.). 

Pop-up library at an event or shopping area to promote library membership and services. 

Online library services such as podcasts, Story Time sessions, gaming tournaments, etc. 

Life-Long Learning 

Civic and community engagement programs, e.g. activities to engage people with local government decision making; immigration and citizenship activities, etc. 

Information literacy activities that help people of any age to find, analyse and use information effectively, e.g. workshop to identify ‘fake news’, etc. 

Activities that promote health and wellbeing activities, e.g. healthy aging programs, wellness classes; sustainability workshops, etc. 

Projects that support early literacy and the Better Beginnings Program including school readiness programs to support families in reading, talking, singing, writing and playing with their young children, e.g. play, story and rhyme programs. 

Reading activities that encourage children and young adults to build, retain and enhance their reading skills and develop a love of books and reading, e.g. book clubs, summer reading programs, etc. 

Programs that increase adults’ confidence and enjoyment of reading, e.g. book clubs, reading groups, adult literacy programs, writers’ workshops, etc. 

STEM programs to provide children and teens with hands-on experience, e.g. coding AI, robotics, forensics, etc. 

Community, Culture and Heritage 

Projects that enable local communities to participate in experiences that promote inclusivity, cohesion and celebrate cultural diversity and heritage, e.g. community or cultural memory projects such as digital storytelling, oral history programs, reminiscence groups, etc. 

Digitisation of local history materials. 

Economic Development 

Programs and services that assist in workforce participation and development, e.g. upgrading job skills, job seeker programs, business planning workshops, career fairs, etc. 

Note: Infrastructure (building) works, on-going operational costs, staff salaries and administrative costs, and the purchase of library materials for the general library collection are not eligible for funding. Projects and programs or services unrelated to the local government’s public library service are not eligible for funding. 

Applications for Encouraging Promising Practice funding will be assessed by the Director: Library Services. The Director: Library Services may call upon further subject expertise according to the nature of the application. Applicants may be asked to provide further information regarding the project if this is required to fairly assess the proposal. 

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria: 

What will the project look like? Applications should identify and/or demonstrate: 

· What the Grant funding will be used for. 

· Details of the project and what, specifically will be delivered. 

· What library services will change as a result of the project. 

· Why is the project required? 

Applications should demonstrate: 

· Alignment with priorities identified in the Local Government’s Strategic Community Plan, and, if relevant, library plan/s. 

· Ability of the project to fulfill the goals of the Encouraging Promising Practice grant 

· The value and the relevance of the project/activity to meeting the needs of the community. 

Who will benefit from and take part in the project? 

Applications must demonstrate a benefit to the local community and should identify: 

· The target audience for the project. 

· The benefits and outcomes that the project will deliver to the target audience. 

· Any groups or agencies that will collaborate/partner in delivering the project. 

How will the project be delivered? 

Applications must demonstrate: 

· The feasibility of delivering the project within the budget, resources and timeframe identified in the application.

· Value for money – whether the project is sustainable and provides value for the funding invested. 

Assessment will be based on the information provided in the local government’s application, including supporting material, e.g. project plan, confirmation of funding/support from other organisations, etc. SLWA reserves the right to negotiate with applicants in relation to project scope, budget items and costings. 

At the completion of the project, Encouraging Promising Practice Grant applicants will be required to submit a Grant Acquittal. The acquittals will not be considered complete until SLWA confirms that all required information has been received. Acquittals must be received by SLWA by 31 July 2026.

TRAVEL GRANTS

Supporting professional development in regional and remote WA 

The State Library of Western Australia (SLWA) provides travel grants to staff in local governments in regional and remote public libraries to support their professional development. These grants provide public library staff located in regional and remote WA with the opportunity to attend professional development opportunities in both metropolitan and regional WA by assisting with travel and accommodation costs. Library staff interested in attending a professional development event who would like to be considered for a travel grant, should express interest in receiving funding and provide the following information: 

· Estimate of transport costs 

· Estimate of accommodation costs 

· Statement outlining the benefits of attendance Priority will be given to applicants who have not recently been funded to attend a professional development event. 

Principles: 

· Funding will be provided, based on actual costs of travel according to distance from the professional development event.  Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Funding for accommodation will be allocated based on the actual cost of accommodation. State Government travel guidelines require travel to be completed at an economical rate and will be used as a guide to reasonableness. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Funding for flights will be allocated based on costs incurred for flights from the nearest centre. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. · Funding for flights will only be available for centres located further than 400 kilometres from Perth, or by agreement on a case-by-case basis. 

8· Funding for travel by car will be calculated at the rate of 88c per kilometre (based on current ATO rates). 

· Funding for taxi fares from the airport to accommodation and return will be allocated based on costs incurred. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Taxi travel must be in a registered taxi. Payment will not be paid for travel in ride-sharing services such as Uber or any other vehicles for hire that do not hold taxi licences. 

· Applications will be considered on an equitable basis state-wide. · All other costs associated with attendance at the professional development event, including any registration fee, meals and sundry costs, must be met from alternative funding sources e.g., Local Government, Community Resource Centre, etc. 

· Funding is not guaranteed and is dependent upon assessment and demand. 

· Dependent on demand, applicants may be offered partial funding of travel and/or accommodation costs. · Funding will be paid after the professional development event, following submission of a detailed invoice for reimbursement. ·  Travel Grant funding does not include GST. 

· Travel Grant funds will be paid to the applicant Local Government. 

· Attendance by library staff who have not previously attended professional development events will be prioritised. 

Assessment Process 

All applications will be assessed by the Director: Library Services. Total travel grants awarded will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. All applications will be considered which include, as a minimum, the following: 

· Estimated budget breakdown for travel expenses 

· Previously awarded travel grants 

· How your attendance will benefit your library service. 

Travel Arrangements 

· Successful applicants are required to book their own travel arrangements, based on the estimates approved and as soon as possible after receiving confirmation that all or part of the travel and accommodation expenses will be met by State Library. 

· SLWA will not be liable for any cost changes between the application and the time of booking. 

Grant acquittal 

· Successful Travel Grant applicants will be required to submit an acquittal and include copies of paid invoices following attendance at the nominated event. A Purchase Order Number will then be provided together with a request for a Tax Invoice for payment. 

· Final payment will be made for the approved cost or actual cost should this be less than the approved cost. 

Payment 

The travel grant will be paid following: 

1. Attendance at the nominated event 

2. Receipt of the completed acquittal form together with copies of paid invoices (A purchase order number will then be provided by SLWA) 

3. Receipt of a Tax Invoice from the Local Government for the final approved funding amount by State Library. 

PDConnect GRANTS

Supporting professional development in regional and remote WA 

The State Library of Western Australia (SLWA) provides grants to support local governments in regional and remote WA (across all three tiers) to host regional conferences and training that provides professional development opportunities for public library staff. 

The PDConnect Grants are offered in recognition that public library professional development opportunities are more limited for staff working in regional and remote libraries and that travel to Perth to access opportunities is expensive and time consuming. The grants are intended to contribute to the costs for presenters to participate in regional conferences or training events. 

Library Services in regional and remote Western Australia, interested in receiving a PDConnect Grant to contribute to the provision of a training or professional development event should submit an application providing the following information: 

· Outline of the proposed PD event including details of focus area/topics, intended audience, facilitators/speakers. 

· Estimate of speaker/facilitator costs including fees, travel, and accommodation. 

· Statement outlining the benefits and outcomes that will be derived from the professional development event. 

· The date of the professional development event (to be a minimum of eight weeks into the future). 

· Details of how the event will be promoted and to whom.

Principles: 

· Funding for facilitators and speakers’ fees will be allocated based on the estimated costs of the speaker/facilitator. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Funding for accommodation and meals for a speaker/facilitator will be allocated based on estimated costs. State Government travel guidelines require travel to be completed at an economical rate and will be used as a guide to reasonableness. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Funding for flights will be allocated based on the estimated costs for flights from the nearest centre. Final payment will be made for approved costs, or the actual costs should this be less than the approved cost. 

· Funding for flights will only be available for centres located further than 400 kilometres from Perth, or by agreement on a case-by-case basis. 

· Funding for travel by car for a speaker will be calculated at the rate of 88c per kilometre (based on current ATO rates).  

· Taxi travel must be in a registered taxi. Payment will not be paid for travel in ride-sharing services such as Uber or any other vehicles for hire that do not hold taxi licences. 

· Applications will be considered on an equitable basis state-wide. 

· All other costs associated with the professional development event must be met from alternative funding sources e.g., Local Governments, Community Resource Centres, etc. 

· Funding is not guaranteed and is dependent upon assessment and demand.  

· Dependent on demand, applicants may be offered partial funding of speaker fees, travel and/or accommodation costs. 

· Successful PDConnect Grant recipients may not pass on costs associated with a presenter funded by SLWA to attendees of a professional development event. This does not prevent recovery of other costs associated with hosting the event. 

· PDConnect Grant funding does not include GST. 

· PDConnect Grant funds will be paid to the applicant Local Government.  

Assessment Process 

All applications will be assessed by the Director: Library Services. PDConnect grants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to: 

· The benefits and intended outcomes that will be derived from the professional development event. 

· Details of regional and remote libraries to be invited to attend the professional development event and strategy for promotion of the event. 

· Estimate of associated speaker costs (fees, travel and accommodation).  

Speaker Arrangements 

· Successful applicants are required to make all necessary arrangements for the approved speaker, based on the approved estimates and as soon as possible after receiving confirmation that all or part of the requested expenses will be met by State Library 

· SLWA will not be liable for any cost increases between the application and the time of booking.  

Grant acquittal 

Successful PDConnect Grant applicants will be required to submit an acquittal within one month following hosting of the event including copies of paid invoices.  A Purchase Order Number will then be provided with a request for a Tax Invoice for payment. 

Final payment will be made for the approved cost or actual cost should this be less than the approved cost.  

Payment 

The PDConnect grant will be paid following: 

· Hosting of the training or professional development event. 

· Receipt of the completed acquittal form together with copies of paid invoices. (A purchase order number will then be provided by SLWA)  

· Receipt of a Tax Invoice from the Local Government for the final approved funding amount by State Library.  

The State Government of Western Australia provides funding, via the State Library of Western Australia (SLWA), to support public library services in the State. Funds are provided to local governments on an annual basis via grant funding, based on an agreed allocation model.
Local governments in Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the Public Library Services Framework are eligible to apply for a Technology and Digital Inclusion grant of up to $5,000 (GST exempt) to fund library projects that address an identified community need and contribute to meeting local and state government priorities. A total of $120,000 is available between the Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants (Tier 2 and Tier 3) and the Encouraging Promising Practice Grants (Tier 2) for the 2025-26 financial year. Applications for the 2025-26 grants will close once all available funds have been awarded, or on 10 April 2026.
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis as they are received. Projects are required to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Purpose and Objectives:
The Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants are designed to enable local governments in Tiers 2 and 3 to respond to digital disadvantage within their communities. Digital inclusion relies on being able to both access and effectively use information and services online.
The objective of Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants is to:
· provide free public access to technology that supports digital inclusion; and
· provide activities and services that build the capability of individuals and communities to confidently enjoy the benefits of digital technologies, information, and services in their day-to-day lives.
Technology and Digital Inclusion Grant proposals should address priorities identified in your Local Government’s Strategic Community Plan, and, if relevant, library plan/s.
Local Governments in Tier 2 or Tier 3 may submit one (1) Technology and Digital Inclusion Grant application annually to a maximum value of $5,000 (GST excluded) per grant.
The following provides broad funding categories and examples of projects that may be funded under the terms of the Technology and Digital inclusion Grant.
Technology hardware and software
Computers and equipment including PCs, mobile devices, etc.
Set-up costs for Internet access including wi-fi.
New and emerging technology that is out-of-reach of many families, e.g. 3D printers, large format scanners; design software; etc.
Hardware and software to provide digital hubs that provide free community access and support to using online government and business services and learning labs that connect customers with new and traditional media where they can build new skills for future employment and life opportunities.
Digital Inclusion Programs
Learning programs aimed at building skills and confidence in using technology and accessing on-line information and services, e.g. introductions to using computers; accessing online banking or eGovernment services, etc.
Programs to facilitate 21st century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, media and information literacy, e.g. coding, robotics, 3D design, image editing, web design, etc.
Note: Infrastructure (building) works, on-going operational costs, staff salaries and administrative costs, and the purchase of library materials for the general library collection are not eligible for funding. Projects and programs or services unrelated to the local government’s public library service are not eligible for funding.
Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants should be used to apply for information technology such as PCs, mobile devices (tablets), set-up costs for Wi-Fi or enhanced Internet access as well as digital inclusion projects, for example, digital media labs.
Assessment
Applications for Technology and Digital Inclusion funding will be assessed by the Director: Library Services.
The Director: Library Services may call upon further subject expertise according to the nature of the application. Applicants may be asked to provide further information regarding the project if this is required to fairly assess the proposal.
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
What will the project look like?
Applications should identify and/or demonstrate:
· What the Grant funding will be used for.
· Details of the project and what, specifically will be delivered.
· What library services will change as a result of the project.
Why is the project required?
Applications should demonstrate:
· Alignment with priorities identified in the Local Government’s Strategic Community Plan, and, if relevant, library plan/s.
· Ability of the project to fulfill the goals of the Technology and Digital Inclusion grant
· The value and the relevance of the project/activity to meeting the needs of the community.
Who will benefit from and take part in the project?
Applications must demonstrate a benefit to the local community and should identify:
· The target audience for the project.
· The benefits and outcomes that the project will deliver to the target audience.
· Any groups or agencies that will collaborate/partner in delivering the project.
How will the project be delivered?
Applications must demonstrate:
· The feasibility of delivering the project within the budget, resources and timeframe identified in the application.
· Value for money – whether the project is sustainable and provides value for the funding invested.
Assessment will be based on the information provided in the local government’s application, including supporting material, e.g. project plan, confirmation of funding/support from other organisations, etc. SLWA reserves the right to negotiate with applicants in relation to project scope, budget items and costings.
At the completion of the project, Technology and Digital Inclusion Grant applicants will be required to submit a Grant Acquittal.
The acquittals will not be considered complete until SLWA confirms that all required information has been received. Acquittals must be received by SLWA by 31 July 2026.