What’s happening?
Dementia Australia has launched its 2025 Diversity Small Grant program to support community organisations in building awareness and understanding of dementia in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Applications opened on Monday 21 July 2025 and will close at 5 pm AEST on Wednesday 13 August 2025. Eligible organisations and community groups can apply for up to $30,000 in funding.
Why it matters?
Dementia prevalence rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are about 3 to 5 times higher than the general Australian population. At least 28 per cent of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non‑English speaking country. Professor Tanya Buchanan, Dementia Australia CEO, said the program is part of their commitment to equity of access.
“Dementia Australia’s 2025 Diversity Small Grant program is part of our commitment to facilitating equity of access to dementia information and support,” Professor Buchanan said.
Local Impact
This program offers opportunities for local Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse groups to run activities that raise awareness in their own way. Successful applicants will also receive a free dementia education session for their staff or committee members, delivered by Dementia Australia. The session aims to help them talk with confidence about dementia in their own communities.
By the numbers
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Dementia prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 3 to 5 times higher than the general population.
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At least 28 per cent of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non‑English speaking country.
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More than 200 applications were received in 2024 and $320,000 was awarded to 11 organisations.
Zoom In
The 2024 inaugural Diversity Small Grant program supported projects across the country. One recipient, Philippine Educational Theatre Artists of Western Australia, used funding to produce a play to raise awareness of dementia in the Filipino community.
“In our play The Moon and the Bakunawa, I wanted to pay tribute to my mother who lived with vascular dementia,” said Director Mr Benito Chan.
“I wrote this play to help raise awareness of dementia and it was funded by a Dementia Australia Diversity Small Grant awarded last year. The grant helped us put on shows in both Perth and Sydney and it was a creative way to try and build greater understanding of dementia within our community.”
Zoom Out
Dementia Australia is a trusted source of information, education and services for more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. The Diversity Small Grant program is funded by the Australian Federal Government and is part of wider efforts to ensure information and support are available to everyone.
What to look for next?
Applications will close on Wednesday 13 August 2025. Successful grant applicants will be invited to sign contracts by Thursday 9 October 2025. Each project must be completed by Friday 12 June 2026. For more details and to apply HERE.
For support, contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
