Grant Applications Closed
As part of Bupa’s ‘Healthy Cities Challenge’, Landcare Australia and Bupa have partnered to deliver the 2026 Healthy Cities Landcare Grants. The Challenge’s goal is simple, the more movement by participants, the more nature regeneration projects will be funded making our cities greener and healthier.
Together, we will support environmental community groups and organisations to establish native plants (trees, shrubs and groundcovers) across Australia in urban and peri-urban landscapes. Project locations must be in high community use areas to support positive health outcomes for people and the planet.
Each application must contribute to the establishment of native plants and host community events open to the public.
Eligible Planting Sites
The Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare grant planting sites must be:
- located in an urban or peri-urban area where people live, work, or regularly visit;
- be accessible to the public and provide a clear community benefit;
- in high community use areas suitable for recreational physical activity such as walking and cycling;
- include a minimum of 500 plants; and
- project sites must have landholder consent.
Grant Outcomes
Projects must plant native species that will improve the extent, condition and connectivity of native vegetation in urban and peri-urban areas.
Project planting activities will contribute to the following:
- reconnecting areas of important natural habitat in the urban and peri-urban landscape;
- encouraging greater community participation in landcare and outdoor recreation activities;
- improving the amenity and liveability of cities/towns by creating urban green space; and
- contributing to the health and wellbeing of local community members.
Grant recipients should engage local community volunteers, which can include Scouts/Guides, schools, and other community groups, to help deliver the on-ground revegetation activities.
Grant Funding Available
Grant applications should be for a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 (ex-GST).
Please note: If a group has a particularly good project that requires more than $25,000 funding and can be completed by August 2027, please call Landcare Australia to discuss the proposal.
Key Dates
Enquiries
If you have any questions after reading these guidelines, please call 1800 151 105, or email: [email protected].
Read the complete guidelines here.
Guidelines: 2026 Healthy Cities Landcare Grants
Plant Establishment and Maintenance
Plant Establishment
Project planting must be completed by 31 August 2027.
Ongoing Maintenance
Each Project will need to undertake adequate maintenance (particularly weed control and watering) to support the survival of the native plants established. Project maintenance can be funded through the grant program until August 2028. Planting maintenance costs beyond August 2026 cannot exceed 10% of the total project budget.
Capacity to Maintain Site
Successful recipients, or their partners, such as council staff or parks rangers, will have the means and capacity to maintain the site after the grant period ends, including performing any ongoing maintenance for at least 4 years.
Eligible Organisations
Eligible organisations include:
- Landcare groups and networks and other community-led environmental groups (e.g. ‘Friends-of’, Coastcare, WildCare, Dunecare, Bushcare, Intrepid Landcare, etc).
- Local government.
- NRM organisations or not for profits – including those operating nationally.
- Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations.
- State and Territory Landcare Organisations.
Eligible organisations must:
If a community volunteer group, network or organisation:
- be an incorporated association; or
- be an unincorporated association that has an auspice agreement with an eligible organisation;
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN);
- have an account with an Australian financial institution;
- ensure suitable checks and risk management protocols as required under relevant legislation are in place: and
- hold a Certificate of Currency for appropriate insurance, including public liability and personal accident (volunteer) insurance.
Ineligible organisations
The following organisations are ineligible to apply; however, they can participate as co-contributors for applications:
- Commonwealth statutory authorities.
- State or Territory Governments.
- Schools, kindergarten and childcare centres, scouting groups, junior landcare or youth environmental groups.
- Individuals/sole traders/partnerships.
Note: Ineligible organisations above are strongly encouraged to work as supporting co-contributors for applications with a local group. CLICK HERE to find your nearest group.
Eligible Activities and Budget
Eligible Budget items
Each grant must focus on planting activities, and project budgets should reflect this. Planting activities and community events must be completed by 31 August 2027.
The above lists are not exhaustive. If unsure, contact the Landcare Australia Grants Team on 1800 151 105 or email: [email protected].
Budget
When developing your budget consider the overall cost per plant (funding requested / plant number).
Providing a detailed budget is an essential part of your project. To assist in the assessment of your project please ensure that you include detail in your item description.
Before working on your budget, please consider the following:
- cost estimates should be credible and realistic. Include quotes where applicable;
- inflated budgets will damage the credibility of the application;
- each item must be specific, avoid using terms such as ‘miscellaneous’ or ‘other activities’; and
- for each item, include a short description and provide details of calculations used to arrive at the amount budgeted.
In-kind contributions
An in-kind contribution is a contribution of a good or service or cash.
Some examples include:
- supporting organisations time and resources
- voluntary labour (labour for planting)
- donated goods (items donated to the project such as additional plants, guards)
- donated services (site preparation provided by council or another supporting organisation)
- cash contribution from other partners or participants
Example project budget
Budget Totals
Total Funding Requested (ex GST) | Total In-Kind Contribution (ex GST) | Total Project Cost (ex GST) |
$23,380.00 | $23,000.00 | $46,380.00 |
This number/amount is calculated. | This number/amount is calculated. | This number/amount is calculated. |
Terms and Conditions
Supporting Documentation and Photos
The following items will be required to include in your grant submission.
- Letter of support from the landholder outlining permission to undertake the project on their land, if you are not the land manager.
- Photos of volunteers engaging in on-ground works or activities that showcase your organisation’s ability to deliver.
- Project site mapping.
Letters of support from partnering organisations are encouraged.
Reporting Requirements
As a condition of receiving the grant funding you will be required to complete a Progress Report, Final Report and two photo point update reports following project completion.
Funding
Funding will be provided in two (2) instalments – 80% of grant funds upon grant acceptance and 20% of funds upon completion of the final report. If groups are experiencing hardship or anticipate needing funds earlier, they are encouraged to contact the Landcare Australia Grants Team for support: 1800 151 105, or email: [email protected].
Terms and Conditions
The funding for this grant will be administered by Landcare Australia. Before receiving funding, you will be required to agree to the standard terms and conditions.
Mapping Your Project Site
Project site mapping is required as part of your grant application. This can be provided in one of the following formats:
- JPG
Shape files, KML or KMZ files cannot be uploaded to the application form, however if successful these files will be required. Google Earth can be used to create the mapping information. If you need any further mapping support, please contact the Landcare Australia Grants Team: [email protected].
File creation using Google Earth
- Locate your project area on Google Earth
- Click on ‘Add’ – and select polygon or select the
- Click points on the map to define your project area.
- Select ‘Save to project’.
- Save your project to either Local KML File or Drive Project.
- Rename your polygon with the site identification number/name used in your project application.
- Repeat the above process for each project site identified in your project application.
- Rename your project KML file using your application number.
- Click on Print and change page format to Landscape.
- Select ‘Save as PDF’.
- Attach PDF file to your application in Smarty Grants.
Assessment Criteria
Landcare Australia will consider applications based on the following criteria:
Other Criteria
- Your project location must be in an eligible urban or peri-urban location with high community use.
- Consideration will be given to the distribution of projects across Australian urban areas.
- Groups with project reports overdue from previous Landcare Australia grants are ineligible for further funding, until all reporting requirements have been met (contact Landcare Australia if you are unsure).
Grants will be objectively assessed by a panel against the Assessment Criteria, and applications ranked alongside the other criteria outlined.
How to Apply
Groups can apply for the Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare Grant on the Landcare Australia SmartyGrants Portal until 5pm (AEST) 13th July 2026.
Your application
- Follow the link https://landcareaustralia.smartygrants.com.au/BUPA26. You can view and download the application form before you start your application.
- You must log in or register with SmartyGrants to be able to complete the application.
- If you wish to save a partially completed application, press ‘Save and Close’ and log out. You can log back in and continue to edit your application until you are ready to submit.
- To submit your application, click the ‘Review and Submit’ button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it. Once you have submitted your application the application’s status will change to ‘Form completed’, and no further editing of the application or uploading of support materials will be possible.
- When your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from SmartyGrants to your login email address. Please ensure you check your spam/junk mail folder if you do not receive the confirmation email.
If you have any problems or questions about online submissions, please refer to the FAQs below, or contact Landcare Australia’s Grants Team on [email protected].
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many plants should my project target?
Grants must involve a minimum of 500 locally indigenous plants which are appropriate for the site, with total numbers consistent with value-for-money considerations.
How do I know how many participants my project will have?
You should base expected participation numbers on the number of attendees your group has had at similar events in the past.
What do I do if I can’t find an auspice for my unincorporated group?
If you are not able to be auspiced by any of the other eligible organisation types including local government, Landcare Networks, state and nationally based organisations contact Landcare Australia and we can assist you with auspicing for your project.
Does my group need an ABN to receive a grant?
Yes, however if your group does not have an ABN, you can arrange for an affiliated group with an ABN (e.g. local council) to receive the grant funds on your behalf.
Does the grant include GST?
Yes, however not all groups are eligible to receive GST. Check whether your group is eligible to receive GST by searching here. Independent advice should be sought if you are unsure.
Please ensure your budget does not exceed the total grant funding stipulated in the guidelines. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s nominated bank account if deemed successful.
What do I need to include in my budget?
All activities to be funded by the grant funding should be included in the budget. In-kind contributions should also be included to show volunteer or other cash contributions. For each item, include a description and provide details of calculations used to arrive at the amount budgeted. Inflated budgets will damage the credibility of the grant. Click here for a budget example.
Filling in your budget table:
In the ‘Activity/Item Description’ column, list the resources, funds and activities required to carry out the project.
‘Funding Requested’, enter the price of the items to be funded. Please note – total funding requested must not exceed the total amount of the grant (ex GST).
What is a reasonable cost per plant?
This is calculated by dividing the grant funding requested by the number of plants, $5-$7 per plant is considered reasonable.
Can my project site be on private land?
No, project sites cannot be located on private property. Projects must be delivered on land that is easily and freely accessible to the public.
About Bupa and Landcare Australia
About Bupa
Bupa Asia Pacific is part of the Bupa Group, an international healthcare company. They are committed to reinvesting profits into providing high quality, innovative healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers around the world. Bupa is committed to helping customers live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. To help people live longer, they are focused on preventative health through collaborating with experts and communities to deliver meaningful programs and outcomes.
Bupa Healthy Cities is a global initiative designed to empower people to adopt healthy, long-term habits in their everyday lives, while unlocking investment in nature. Through Bupa’s ‘Healthy Cities Challenge in September, Bupa employees and corporate partners across Australia and New Zealand will be asked to complete activities and challenges to unlock Bupa investment into nature regeneration.
For more information please visit bupa.com.au/healthycities.
About Landcare Australia
Landcare Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation established more than 30 years ago, that supports the landcare community with funding, capacity building, on-ground projects, information, networking and promotion of landcare achievements. Landcare Australia also delivers major land restoration projects.
Across Australia, our partnerships support thousands of people involved in landcare who are working to protect local ecosystems that contribute to the sustainability and productivity of our land and water assets. Together with the landcare community, our efforts improve biodiversity, build resilience in Australia’s food and farming systems, and create stronger communities. We are focused on supporting and working with First Nations, youth, women and engaging farmers and landholders in the emerging environmental markets.
Landcare enables people to actively care for the natural environment in their community through sustainable land management and conservation activities.
For more information please visit landcareaustralia.org.au.