Health Peak and Advisory Bodies Program (HPAB) Grant Opportunity

Purpose and Program Overview

The Health Peak and Advisory Bodies Program (HPAB) is an Australian Government initiative designed to support national “health peak” organisations. The core intent of the program is to enable these entities to contribute expert, impartial, evidence-based, and timely advice on broad health system and priority policy to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This supports the government’s efforts to improve the capacity, quality, and safety of Australia’s health care system.

The objectives extend beyond advice provision to include strengthening health sector policy linkages, acting as a repository of knowledge, and providing culturally responsive education, training, and representation for health care providers, consumers, and carers. The program is specifically structured to support organisations that represent members and focus on health equity, particularly for priority and marginalised population groups.

A total funding pool of $33.440 million (GST exclusive) is available over a four-year grant cycle, spanning from 2026-27 to 2029-30. The program plays a critical role in structuring high-quality sector input into national health policy development, thereby directly supporting the effectiveness of Australia’s non-government health sector.

Key Grant Details

Key details regarding the HPAB Grant Opportunity are as follows:

• Grant amount or funding range: Funding is tiered, offering up to $1 million per annum (Tier 1) or up to $700,000 per annum (Tier 2).
• Application open and close dates: Applications opened on 29-Sep-2025 and closed on 7-Nov-2025 at 2:00 pm (ACT Local Time).
• Eligible entities: Eligible applicants must be a recognised national health peak organisation and one of the following entity types: Indigenous Corporation, Company, Incorporated Association, Statutory Entity, or Partnership.
• Required co-contributions: Co-contributions are not explicitly stated as mandatory in the program documentation.
• Location/state/territory applicability: The grant is applicable to organisations operating nationally across all Australian states and territories.

Priority Sectors

The grant is highly targeted towards organisations within the Health Sector that perform a national peak body function.

The program places a critical emphasis on priority population groups who experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population, including marginalised communities and those who do not access mainstream services. Health peaks are required to focus on health equity and implement culturally responsive consultation and representation practices.

Funding Scope

Funding is distributed across two distinct tiers aligned with the scope and focus of the health peak organisation:

• Tier 1 – Cross Health Sector Focus: Targets health peaks with a national reach focusing on cross-sectoral health systems issues.
  • Maximum Funding: Up to $1 million per annum or up to $4 million over the four-year funding cycle.
• Tier 2 – Health Sector Priorities Focus: Targets national organisations addressing Government health priorities and demonstrating an ability to influence policy within their specific focus area.
  • Maximum Funding: Up to $700,000 per annum or up to $2.8 million over the four-year funding cycle.
• Project Timeline: Funding is fixed for a four-year grant funding cycle, running from 2026-27 to 2029-30.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the HPAB Program, applicants must satisfy two core requirements: entity type and definition as a health peak.

• Entity Type: Must be one of the following: Indigenous Corporation, Company, Incorporated Association, Statutory Entity, or Partnership.
• Health Peak Definition: Must be a national, non-government organisation that:
  • Provides leadership and representation for the health sector.
  • Focuses on health systems policy and advocacy.
  • Maintains a diverse membership base of individuals and/or non-government organisations.
  • Has effective mechanisms to communicate with and represent members’ views.
• Consortia: Applications from consortia are accepted, provided there is a single lead organisation that is an eligible entity and is solely accountable to the Commonwealth.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant is specifically designed to fund the operational activities of health peak bodies that fulfil the program’s objectives.

Eligible Activities include:

• Consultation with members on health sector policy and the provision of advice to the Australian Government.
• Culturally responsive activities supporting the sharing of public health information, prevention strategies, and access to services.
• Management of inquiries and provision of impartial, well-informed information to the Government.
• Participation in relevant Australian Government advisory/consultation forums.
• Creating policy linkages, promoting networks, partnerships, and co-design activities, particularly with priority populations.
• Provision of culturally responsive information for the education and training of health practitioners.
• Data collection and analysis directly related to the grant purpose.

Eligible Expenditures include:

• Wages and salary for approved staff supporting the delivery of the program.
• Labour on-costs and administrative overheads directly related to grant activity.
• Project-related staff training and development costs.

Assessment Process

The HPAB Grant Opportunity is an Open Competitive selection process. Applications are assessed against established criteria to determine which projects will receive funding.

The key evaluation criteria are:

• Alignment with Objectives and Outcomes: The extent to which the proposed activities align with the grant’s aims to contribute to the national health agenda and policy objectives.
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement: The demonstrated effectiveness in consulting, sharing information, and representing the views of members and priority population groups in a culturally responsive manner.
• Organisational Capability: The applicant’s proven capacity and expertise to deliver the proposed grant activities over the four-year period.
• Value for Money: The efficient, effective, economical, and ethical use of relevant money in delivering the grant activities.

Recent Program Updates

This grant opportunity represents the funding allocation for the HPAB Program over the four-year period from 2026-27 to 2029-30. The total funding available is fixed at $33.440 million (GST exclusive). Applicants were advised to refer to the most recent version of the Frequently Asked Questions, Webinar Slide Pack, and Addendum 3 published on 21 October 2025 for the most up-to-date program information.

Application Tips

Organisations applying for the HPAB grant should ensure their proposals meet the stringent requirements of a national peak body:

• Substantiate Peak Status: Clearly articulate and provide evidence demonstrating the organisation meets the definition of a “health peak,” including national reach, diverse membership, and policy advocacy focus.
• Demonstrate Cultural Responsiveness: Highlight specific strategies for representing and engaging with priority population groups and marginalised communities, demonstrating culturally responsive practices across all proposed activities.
• Focus on Policy Impact: Structure the proposal around the delivery of expert, evidence-based, and impartial policy advice, showing how the activities will directly inform and influence Australian Government health policy.
• Detail Organisational Capability: Provide a robust plan and evidence of the organisation’s capacity to manage a four-year, multi-million-dollar Commonwealth grant effectively and ethically.

Where to get help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.