Government Grants
Ballarat Community Grants Program
The purpose of these grants is to support and increase the provision and range of services which enhance the community's quality of life and to support new developments or established organisations. It also supports projects which initiate creative and innovative programs. This includes organisations which address areas such as current youth issues.

Community Support Fund
The CSF was set up under Section 138 of the Gaming Machine Control Act 1991 to ensure that a proportion of revenue from Victorian hotel gaming machines is available for worthwhile community projects across our State. Currently the Wendouree West Community Renewal has an application pending for the development of a new community building.

First Home Owners Grant
States and Territories assist first home buyers through the establishment of the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG). The grants were put in place to offset the Goods and Services Tax, and are available to people building or buying a home for the first time.

Indigenous Job Seekers
Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) is a way indigenous people can develop work and employment skills. An Indigenous Wage Assistance Card aims to increase the chances of employment to indigenous job seekers. The card shows employers may be eligible for a subsidy if they employ an Indigenous job seeker. Jobs must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the assistance.

Jobs Placement, Employment & Training
The Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET) program is aimed at assisting students and unemployed young people aged 15-21 years (with priority to be given to those aged 15 to 19), who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. There are certain eligibility criteria that must be met before a young person can apply for assistance.

New Apprenticeships
New Apprenticeships combine practical work with structured training to give young people a nationally recognised qualification and the experience they need to get the job they want. New Apprenticeships attract financial assistance for eligible employers to help reduce the real cost of training. There are certain eligibility criteria that must be met by the employer and employee before they obtain Commonwealth incentives.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
NEIS is a self-employment program helping eligible unemployed people become self-supporting and independent of Social Security payments by establishing their own businesses.

Parents Returning To Work
The Parents Returning to Work Program will assist you prepare for re-entry into the workforce. If you are planning to return to work after being at home caring for children you can apply for a grant. This grant will entitle you to training and related expenses up to the value of $1,000.

Sport & Recreation Incentive Program
The Community Sport and Active Recreation Incentive Program is an initiative of the City of Ballarat aimed at increasing participation in sport and active recreation. The aim of this program is to provide seeding funds to establish new clubs or create opportunities not currently available in the community. Existing clubs and groups are also encouraged to initiate innovative projects for the benefit of the community.

Working Credits
Working Credit aims to encourage people of workforce age who get income support payments to take up full-time, part-time, or casual work by allowing them to keep more of their Centrelink payments while working. It also makes it easier for people to get their Centrelink payments and benefits back if a short-term job ends.