Disaster Ready Fund 2025/2026

Round 3 Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) applications opening soon

The Australian Government is committed to reducing the physical, social, and economic impacts of disasters and ensuring that communities are in the best possible position to recover when disasters occur. To achieve this, the Australian Government is investing up to $200 million per financial year through the DRF over five years, from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028 (up to $1 billion total). The DRF will deliver projects that build Australia’s resilience, improve preparedness, and reduce disaster risk. 

For more information on the DRF and to see funded projects from Round 1 and 2 please visit the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) website.

Disaster Ready Fund | NEMA

Round 3 Registrations of Interest

The Australian Government is expected to release the Guidelines for DRF Round 3 in early 2025, with the application process also opening around the same time. SAFECOM will again coordinate the South Australian application.

SAFECOM is offering the opportunity for applicants to register their project concept prior to applications officially opening. The purpose of the Registration of Interest (ROI) is for SAFECOM to begin compiling a list of potential projects and to see where alignment between possible project partners might exist. It will also help us to work with applicants in a highly competitive round, by identifying where they can be best supported throughout the submission process.

Please note the following points regarding the ROI process:

• ROI’s will open on Monday 9th December 2024.
• Submitting a ROI is voluntary and does not guarantee that any subsequent application will be included in South Australia’s final submission package.
• Only the information requested in the ROI form is to be provided. Do not include attachments, links or any other additional information as it will not be reviewed as part of the ROI process.
• Submitting a ROI is not a prerequisite for agencies to apply when DRF applications open.
• ROI’s will not be accepted after 5:00pm Friday on 10th January 2025.

Contact the grants team at safecom.drf@eso.sa.gov.au or by phone on 08 8115 3926 should you have questions about this process.

Detailed information on the formal application process will be made available when Round 3 commences in early 2025, which is in line with Australian Government timeframes.

For further information on DRF Round 3 (2025-26), please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Support for Applicants

SAFECOM is providing a series of webinars, along with the opportunity for applicants to book a dedicated 1:1 session with a member of our grants team to guide applicants through the submission process:

• Webinar 1: Guidelines & Eligibility
• Webinar 2: Addressing the selection criteria
• Webinar 3: Budgets
• Webinar 4: Support Materials

Each 1-hour webinar will cover general information on minimum requirements along with tips on what makes a strong application. For specific project discussions, applicants are invited to book a dedicated 1:1 session with the grants team.

Dates and booking links will be updated on the SAFECOM website following the release of the Round 3 Guidelines. If you would like us to let you know when bookings are open, please email the grants team to be added to our DRF Round 3 mailing list.

Need more information about the application process or DRF more broadly? Contact the SAFECOM Grants Team on (08) 8115 3926 or at safecom.drf@eso.sa.gov.au.

Indicative Round 3 Timeline

* These dates are indicative and subject to change in line with confirmation by the Australian Government.
* The 2025 Federal Election may impact these milestones.