About the Settlement Grants Program (SGP)
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The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) was introduced in 2005 following a review of settlement services program funded by the department.
Aim of the SGP
The aim of the SGP is to fund services which help clients to become self reliant and participate equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival.
Settlement Needs
The funding priorities of the SGP are determined through an annual assessment of settlement needs. This approach ensures that the services provided through the SGP are:
- targeted towards those communities and locations in greatest need of settlement assistance
- responsive to changing settlement patterns and needs.
SGP Funding
A total of $34m is available for the SGP in 2009-10. Of this, approximately $24m is available to fund new projects, while the remaining $10m is for ongoing grant commitments.
SGP funding is:
- on a project basis
- offered for periods of one, two or three years
- based on financial years and is provided for a fixed period
- expected to be fully committed at the beginning of each financial year
- not recurrent, as priorities change over time.
Minister's Decision
The SGP is a discretionary, application based grants program. Decisions to award grants are made by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The Minister's decision is final and there is no review or appeal process.