Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) First Nations Grants

Purpose and Program Overview

The Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) First Nations Grants program provides capability-building funding to Indigenous-owned and controlled trading enterprises across Australia. The program is designed to strengthen business capability, expand operations and increase the social and economic impact delivered by First Nations enterprises. Funding is directed toward the purchase of specialist professional services rather than general operating costs, reflecting the program’s focus on long-term capability rather than short-term financial relief.

The initiative forms part of the broader Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI), a $11.6 million Australian Government investment announced in the 2023–24 Budget under the Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage package. Within this broader initiative, approximately $2.5 million has been allocated specifically to the First Nations Grants stream, recognising the role Indigenous enterprises play in creating employment, building economic participation and delivering positive outcomes for First Nations communities.

SEDI First Nations Grants are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and delivered by Impact Investing Australia (IIA) in partnership with Malu Pty Ltd. The program sits alongside the wider SEDI Grants stream, which supports the broader social enterprise sector, with IIA transferring applications between the two streams where a better fit is identified during assessment.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $50,000 to $120,000 per successful application, capped at the applicant’s total annual revenue
• Application opening date: 22 July 2026
• Application closing date: No fixed closing date; applications are assessed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted, with assessment expected to continue into early 2027
• Eligible business types: Indigenous-owned or controlled trading social enterprises operating beyond the start-up phase
• Co-contribution required: No mandatory co-contribution; up to 20% of the grant may be applied to internal costs associated with procuring capability-building services
• Location applicability: Available to eligible enterprises operating anywhere in Australia

Priority Sectors

The program does not restrict funding to a single industry or sector. It is open to First Nations trading enterprises across a broad range of sectors, provided the enterprise delivers a defined social benefit. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate outcomes in DSS-approved impact areas, including:

• Employment
• Education
• Community participation
• Economic development
• Other DSS-approved social and economic outcome areas

Funding Scope

SEDI First Nations Grants are structured as a single funding stream rather than multiple tiers, with the following parameters:

• Minimum grant amount: $50,000
• Maximum grant amount: $120,000, capped at the applicant’s total annual revenue
• Funding category: Capability-building support, covering the purchase of specialist services from external providers
• Internal cost allowance: Up to 20% of the grant may be used for internal costs necessary to procure and manage capability-building activities
• Assessment and delivery timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from the July 2026 opening date, with funding allocated progressively until the funding pool is exhausted

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet ownership, control and enterprise-level requirements to be considered for funding.

Ownership and control — Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

• An Indigenous community-controlled organisation, incorporated and not-for-profit, that is at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled
• An Indigenous-owned and operated organisation that is at least 51% Indigenous owned and controlled
• Another Indigenous organisation that is at least 50% Indigenous owned or controlled

Enterprise requirements — Applicants must:

• Operate in Australia
• Deliver measurable social benefit through their business activities
• Have progressed beyond the start-up phase and be an established trading enterprise
• Demonstrate annual revenue exceeding $50,000
• Demonstrate annual trading revenue exceeding $35,000
• Direct requested funding toward capability-building activities that align with approved DSS outcome areas

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Grant funds must be used to purchase specialist capability-building services from external providers. Eligible activities include:

• Business consulting and strategic planning
• Financial advisory and financial management services
• Legal advice
• Evaluation and impact measurement
• Governance support
• Business growth and scaling support
• Other professional capability-building services relevant to the enterprise’s development

Up to 20% of the grant amount may additionally be applied to internal costs necessary to procure and manage these services. Funds are not intended to cover general operating expenses.

Assessment Process

SEDI First Nations Grants are competitive. Applications are assessed by a panel informed by First Nations perspectives, drawing on experience across First Nations organisations, social enterprise, business, governance and finance. The process generally follows these stages:

1. Submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI)
2. A phone consultation with a member of the IIA SEDI First Nations team
3. Invitation to submit a full grant application, subject to meeting eligibility criteria
4. Assessment against program criteria, including ownership and control status, capability-building rationale, and alignment with approved DSS outcome areas

Applications assessed as a better fit for the broader SEDI Grants stream may be transferred between programs at IIA’s discretion, including at the panel review stage.

Recent Program Updates

• Applications for SEDI First Nations Grants opened on 22 July 2026, following the announcement of a dedicated $2.5 million funding allocation for First Nations enterprises within the broader SEDI program.
• This follows the closure of the original SEDI Grants round on 30 September 2025, which received more than 900 expressions of interest and over 400 applications, with strong representation from First Nations, rural and regional social enterprises.
• The Australian Government has separately extended the general SEDI Grants program, unlocking an additional funding pool for social enterprises outside the First Nations stream.

Application Tips

• Confirm ownership and control status against the program’s three defined applicant categories before applying.
• Demonstrate trading history and revenue figures that meet the minimum thresholds for annual and trading revenue.
• Prepare a clear rationale linking requested capability-building services to specific, measurable outcomes in approved DSS impact areas.
• Have financial statements, business structure documentation and evidence of social benefit ready in advance of the EOI stage.
• Align the application with government priorities by clearly articulating the enterprise’s contribution to employment, education, community participation or economic development outcomes.
• Apply promptly given the rolling assessment process; funding is allocated progressively until the pool is exhausted.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected 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 official website of the SEDI First Nations Grants program and other associated Australian government websites.