The outcomes of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) Round Two program are now available.
The outcomes of the All West Australians Reducing Emergencies (AWARE) will be announced soon.
Please check out the Successful projects section under the relevant grant programs on the Disaster Resilience Grants webpage.
The frequency and severity of natural hazards are increasing in Western Australia (WA). These events become disasters when they result in significant impacts to our WA communities, economy or environment.
Disaster resilience is a shared responsibility including all levels of government, businesses, the non-government sector, and individuals. Strategic investments across built, natural, social and economic environments will help communities to better prepare and mitigate the impact of natural hazard disasters, resulting in safer and resilient communities.
In WA, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) administers the following disaster resilience grant programs on behalf of the WA State Government:
Purpose
The annual AWARE competitive grant program aims to enhance West Australia’s emergency management arrangements by investing in capacity building and preparedness activities at a local level.
Funding
A total of $200,000 per financial year is available to projects that build emergency management capability.
Eligibility
Only West Australian Local Governments are eligible to apply for AWARE grants. Local governments are encouraged to collaborate and submit joint applications.
Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Eligibility check in the Grant Guidelines before proceeding with their application to ensure the proposed project meets all the program requirements.
Status
The 2024 Round of the AWARE program opened on 20 May and closed on 01 July 2024.
2024 Key Dates
Applications Open
8 am, 20 May 2024
Applications Close
12 pm (midday) AWST, 01 July 2024
Assessment and endorsement
August – September 2024
Announcement Made
From October 2024
The AWARE program is administered by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on behalf of the State.
To be eligible, activities must address at least one or more of the following four criteria:
• further the emergency risk management process
• facilitate capability-based exercises
• assist in reviewing Local Emergency Management Arrangements
• deliver emergency management training, events or forums
AWARE does not support capital or asset purchase, or an upgrade or maintenance.
Applicants can apply for between $2,500 and $35,000 (no GST applied) per application including local level risk assessment projects. The grant request can only account for up to 75 percent of the total project cost.
AWARE applications must be submitted through an online grant management portal. The portal will provide guidance on navigating and completing your application. A sample application form is also available for applicants for reference.
Yes, a local government can submit any number of eligible applications.
Yes. Applicants must co-contribute at least 25 percent of the total project cost. Co-contributions can be made in cash and/or in-kind.
An individual Funding Agreement will be developed for each successful applicant and must be signed by both DFES and the successful applicant. Once the Funding Agreement has been signed by both parties, the project can begin, and funds can be expended. Any activities conducted prior to signing the agreement are not eligible for grant funding.
The AWARE targets projects of up to 12 months duration.
The assessment process is as follows:
• Applications received by due time/date through the online grants portal and reference number issued.
• Eligibility Check completed by the DFES.
• Merit selection assessment by the Assessment Panel.
• Notification of assessment outcome provided to applicants.
The funding will be paid in advance to the grantee once the deliverables, timeframes and milestones have been agreed and the Funding Agreement signed.
Yes. Requests for feedback must be made by the original applicant, by email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
There are two types of reporting required for AWARE.
1. Biannual reports - project managers for successful projects under the AWARE program are required to provide biannual reports within 15 days of the end of the six-month period, as per below:
Reporting Period Report Due
January to June: 15 July
July to December: 15 January
2. Final report - the final report should be submitted within eight weeks of completion of the AWARE project.
Failure to comply with reporting requirements will make the project non-compliant with the Funding Agreement terms and conditions.
A project is deemed non-compliant if it does not comply with the terms and conditions set out in the Funding Agreement in relation to reporting and/or achievement of deliverables and milestones and/or not expending the project budget as scheduled in the Funding Agreement.
You are not eligible to apply for an AWARE grant if you are currently delivering a project funded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR), Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) or AWARE programs that has been deemed non-compliant. If you make arrangements to close any non-compliant projects in a manner that is satisfactory to the DFES, you may be eligible to apply. If unsure, please contact us to check.
Successful applicants need to ensure that the agreed outcomes are achieved as per the approved scope. Where a project does not deliver all of the approved outcomes, then the project funding may be reduced based on the undelivered scope.
All variations to a project Funding Agreement, scope or timeframes or budget of a project are to be agreed formally in writing in the approved template.
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
Purpose
The Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is an Australian Government initiative that will deliver up to $200 million in funding over five years from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028, to fund projects that support natural disaster resilience and risk reduction. The DRF will focus on building community resilience through disaster prevention, rather than response and recovery. It will support the planning and construction of infrastructure and systemic disaster risk reduction projects.
Eligibility
Anyone can develop a DRF proposal, however only Australian state and territory governments are eligible to submit projects to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for potential funding. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is the Lead Agency for Western Australia and is responsible for coordinating application for the DRF. DFES will engage and support government and non-government organisations to develop and submit applications for funding to NEMA.
Applicants are encouraged to refer to the program objectives and eligibility criteria in the Round Guidelines before proceeding with their application to ensure the proposed project meets all the program requirements.
The first round of funding supported a wide range of preparedness activities such as bushfire mitigation works and community education programs, including firewise landscaping, a bushfire virtual reality program and a family-centred disaster resilience gallery as well as upgrading vital infrastructure such as evacuation centres to safeguard WA communities during disasters.
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
Disaster Ready Fund Round Two
DFES as the coordinating Lead Agency for Western Australia and Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs) actively engaged with organisations across the State and IOTs prior to DRF Round Two, by working on identifying projects, as well as providing support and advice to develop strong applications.
The application process was conducted as a two-stage process. In preparation for DRF Round Two, DFES accepted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from government and non-government organisations across WA. Details of the EOI process were communicated across all levels of government, social sector services through WA government and emergency management (EM) partner websites, emails, newsletters and through various state and local EM committees and reference groups. DFES also delivered four webinars for the social services sector, local governments, and state government agencies to promote the DRF and provide guidance and information on how to prepare and develop competitive grant applications. EOI process closed on 22 January 2024.
The Round Two of the DRF Program opened for applications on 22 January 2024 and closed on 20 March 2024. Although prospective applicants were encouraged to submit their EOIs, the opportunity to apply for WA DRF was open to all and not limited to EOI applicants.
Status
Successful projects under Round Two of the DRF were announced on 28 August 2024.
Applications Open
22 January 2024
Applications Close
20 March 2024
Assessment
May – June 2024
Funding Delivered
Later in 2024
Project Funding Agreements executed, and projects commence
Early 2025
The above timelines are provided as a guide and are subject to change.
The Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is an Australian Government flagship initiative, committing $1 billion to be made available nationally for disaster resilience and risk reduction activities. The DRF provides investment in disaster mitigation across infrastructure and systemic disaster risk reduction projects.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is responsible for administration of DRF on behalf of the Australian Government. NEMA works in liaison with the respective state and territories lead agency to administer DRF. Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is the Western Australian Lead Agency responsible for promoting and coordinating grant applications on behalf of the State.
Up to $200 million will be made available to states and territories through the DRF and each jurisdiction will receive a baseline $7.5 million under Round Two.
There is no maximum or minimum limit applied to project applications.
Only State and Territory governments may submit applications to NEMA for DRF funding as a state application inclusive of all eligible project proposals. Proposals can be developed by government and non-government agencies, individuals, not for profits and community groups, universities and research organisations. Projects may be delivered by third parties.
To submit a project application for the DRF, all WA projects must apply through the online grants management portal. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the program objectives and eligibility criteria in the Round Guidelines before proceeding with their application to ensure the proposed project meets all the program requirements.
Yes, projects must contribute a minimum of 50% of the total project cost as co-contribution. Co-contribution can include, but not limited to:
• a direct (cash) funding contribution provided at the time of project commencement;
• funds the project has already invested in a program or project on or any time after 1 July 2020 (only where the Commonwealth’s DRF contribution is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Objectives);
• any costs associated with the project’s delivery, for example construction or project delivery; and
• other in-kind costs, such as wages directly attributable to the delivery of the project, and/ or supplies, materials, and specific equipment required to execute the project.
Where possible, Applicants are expected to provide co-contributions. Applicants could request a waiver or partial waiver (co-contribution reduction) from the Commonwealth Government when submitting the project application. Requests for waivers or co-contribution reductions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Commonwealth.
Further information regarding the Commonwealth Government co-contribution waivers can be found in the DRF Round Two Guidelines.
Commonwealth funding from any source (including historical) cannot be used to cover the co-contribution, either fully or in-part. However, projects that have previously received full or partial funding for earlier phases that are not part of the scope of the proposed DRF project remain eligible for Commonwealth funding, provided the proposed project has a distinct scope separate from previous phase(s).
State funding is eligible to be used as co-contribution only where the Commonwealth’s contribution from the DRF is expected to extend or enhance that program or project subject to alignment with the DRF Guidelines and Objectives. If the original source of this State funding is from a grant, please ensure that the guidelines for the grant funding allow it to be used as a co-contribution.
The maximum project period is three (3) years from NEMA’s written endorsement of the relevant Implementation Plan.
As applications can only be submitted by State and territory governments, a state-based process is required as a precursor to the DRF application being submitted. The application process is as follows:
1. DFES as the WA coordinating agency runs an application process and collates prospective projects submitted by interested parties.
2. An independent panel/subject matter experts convened by the coordinating agency categorise prospective projects based on state disaster risk reduction policies and frameworks and recommends those with merit to the Minister for Emergency Services.
3. The Minister endorses the State submission.
4. DFES submits the overarching WA application to NEMA for consideration.
5. An independent Program Assessment Panel convened by NEMA assesses applications and recommends projects for funding to the Coordinator-General of NEMA and, subsequently the Minister for Emergency Management.
6. NEMA negotiates a Schedule under the Federation Funding Agreement – Environment with WA to fund the successful projects.
7. Projects approved for funding complete their Implementation Plans and Funding Agreements.
8. Projects commence.
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
Details for Round Three will be available here when announced.
The Emergency Response Fund (ERF) was established on 12 December 2019, upon commencement of the Emergency Response Fund Act 2019 (ERF Act). Under the ERF Act, the Commonwealth Government may draw up to $50 million each financial year to build resilience to prepare for or reduce the risk of future natural disasters. Under the ERF, the following programs were established.
Purpose:
In 2019, the Australian Government announced the $50 million National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program (NFMIP) which will deliver on the improvement or construction of flood mitigation infrastructure to support local communities mitigate their priority flood risks and reduce the impact of flood events.
Purpose:
In February 2022, the Australian Government announced the $50 million Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program (CERMP) to fund projects that reduce the impact of disasters on coastal communities.
No further ERF program rounds are expected.
The list of successful WA projects for CERMP and NFMIP are:
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
The Western Australian Government has a National Partnership Agreement with the Commonwealth to fund projects that deliver on the priorities and goals of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (NDRRF). The NDRR aims to increase WA communities’ resilience to disasters through enhanced preparedness for, reduced exposure to, and minimisation of the effects of one or more natural hazards. The NDRR supports projects that:
• take action to reduce existing disaster risk
• minimise creation of future disaster risk
• equip decision-makers with the capabilities and information they need to reduce disaster risk and manage residual risk
In Western Australia, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services administers the NDRR on behalf of the State.
In WA, five competitive National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) grant rounds were run between 2021 – 2024. A total of fifty-one (51) disaster risk reduction projects were approved. In addition, the SEMC also approved five (5) State level projects. No further NDRR grant rounds will be conducted by WA. All future underspends, if any, will be allocated to State level projects approved by the SEMC.
As an effective mechanism to ensure any underspends and under allocations from the NDRR and its predecessor Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) are reinvested into projects aimed at reducing disaster risk, the SEMC endorsed the establishment of the State Level Project Fund (SLPF) in WA. The SLPF provides funding for projects with whole-of-State impact or significance and supports the outcomes of the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Disaster Risk Reduction (2019-2024) and the State Emergency Management Committee’s (SEMC) strategic objectives and priority outcomes as per the SEMC Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025.
The list of successful WA projects for NDRR are:
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au
Purpose
The National Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) was a Commonwealth funded program that focused on reducing communities’ vulnerability to natural hazards, and addressed priorities outlined in the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. From 2010 - 2011, the NDRP replaced the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, the Bushfire Mitigation Program, and the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, with the focus on community resilience.
A National Partnership Agreement (NPA) 2015 - 2019 with the Commonwealth allocated a total of 9.4 million to boost community resilience and to reduce disaster risk.
Under the 2015 - 19 NDRP NPA, Western Australia (WA) conducted four competitive NDRP grant rounds between 2016 - 2021. A total of fourty seven (47) disaster resilience projects were approved. No further NDRP grant rounds will be conducted by WA. DFES will continue to monitor open NDRP projects until completion. All future underspends, if any, will be allocated to State level projects approved by the State Emergency Management Committee.
The list of successful WA projects for NDRP under NPA 2015 - 2019 are:
For all enquiries please email DisasterResilienceGrants@dfes.wa.gov.au