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The 2027 grant round will open on Monday the 26th of October 2026.

A link will be provided here on this webpage and instructions of how to apply from the open date.

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​📣 Important Update for 2027

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Due to a large increase in demand, changes have been made to this year’s grant round. The Foundation will prioritise students with the highest financial need to ensure fair access to support.

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✅ Eligibility

To apply, the student must:

✔️ Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

• Attending a non-government primary or secondary school within Victoria only

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🔑 Priority Processing

Applicants with a Health Care Card or Pension Card will be processed first.

• Other applications are still welcome however processing may be slighly delayed.

• Please attach a copy of your Health Care or Pension Card to your online application.  These details won't be shared with any individual or organisation

• Missing documents will delay processing.

👉 All applications must be submitted online via the OTDF Grant Portal.

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🎒 Items you can apply for from OTDF 

You may apply for essential school items. Please list your items in order of priority.  Due to OTDF Trustee discretion and limited funds we can not reveal grant limit amounts.  

Eligible items include:

• School books & stationery

• School uniforms

• IT equipment (laptops, calculators, etc.)

• VCAL/VET levies 

• Camp and some levies.  See note below re school levy inclusions.

⚠️ Funding is up to the OTDF grant limit and up to OTDF Trustee discretion. You may not receive the full amount requested.

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CHANGES TO 2027 GRANT ROUND - Secondary School Levy Funding – Years 7–12

For students in Years 7–12, school levies (NOT private school fees) may be considered for funding, subject to Trustee discretion.

Where a levy is approved, funding for eligible secondary school levies will generally be limited to a maximum of 50% of the total grant amount requested.  For example if you are wanting to apply for $700 in the levy category, you are limited to apply for 50% of this total which is $350 and encouraged to allocate the remaining $350 to other essential education needs such as books, uniforms etc. However the final amount awarded is determined by the Trustees and may be less or more than 50% for levies, depending on the circumstances of the application, documentation provided and available funds.

Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of the levy, such as a school invoice or statement, with their application.

Eligible school levy expenses may include:

• IT and technology fees

• Camps and excursions

• Incursions

• Sporting activities at the school

• Music programs at the school

• Materials and fees for practical subjects, such as Home Economics or Woodwork

• VET/VCAL subject fees – however these should be claimed separately under the VET/VCAL category in the grant application portal​

School annual fees and building levies are not eligible for funding.The purpose of this approach is to help families meet essential education-related costs while allowing grant funding to also support other educational needs, such as books, uniforms, stationery and equipment.

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🚫 What We Don’t Fund

• Independent annual school fees.  Familes are responsible for paying private school fees. Applications where OTDF funds are used for school fees may affect future eligibility.

• Building levies

• Travel or transport.

• Extra-curricular activities outside of school

• Overseas immersion and cultural immersons in other States.

• ⚖️ Other Funding

• If the student is already receiving support from:

• Traditional Owner education grants

• First Nations scholarships

• Other charities

• School financial assistance                                                                                                                                                                                                    The application may not be successful. Final decisions are made by OTDF Trustees.

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💰 $400 School Savings Bonus

 The Victorian government gave funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) of $400 to eligible concession card holders for primary and secondary school students,  in Victoria in 2026.

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For the 2027 school year, please check with your school for the latest CSEF arrangements, eligibility requirements and application dates. The Victorian Government has not yet confirmed the 2027 CSEF payment amount in the information currently available.

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If you may be eligible for CSEF, please contact your school before applying to OTDF for assistance. OTDF encourages families to access all government and school-based assistance available to them and to request only the additional support they need from OTDF. OTDF has limited funds available and aims to support as many eligible students and families as possible.

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🎟️ How Grants Are Provided

• Grants are mostly provided as vouchers from approved suppliers such as Campion for books, Noone for uniforms, Rebel fo shoes

• Vouchers must be used by 31st of May 2027

• For approved school levies e.g camp, school uniforms, or school IT items, funds may be sent directly to the school if the school supplies these items​

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📅 Key Dates

* Applications Open - 26th of October 2026

* Applications Close - 25th of March 2027 (strict deadline)

* ALL Vouchers expire on - 31st of May 2027

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✅ Application Conditions

• One application per student per year

• Previous grant recipients must upload a Progress Report as part of the 2027 application

• Incomplete applications will not be accepted

• No changes can be made after submission, so please check your details and selections for funding carefully

• Processing may take 4–6 weeks – please apply early to avoid delays

• Items purchased before grant approval will not be reimbursed

• All grants are assessed by the OTDF Board of Trustees

• Funding decisions are final and not negotiable​

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🆕 First-Time Applicants

If this is your first application, you must upload a Confirmation of Aboriginality (COA).

If you do not have a COA, please contact one of the following for assistance:

• Your local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)

• Your homelands Aboriginal organisation

• The local Catholic Education Office – ask to be connected with the Koorie Education Worker for support

 

✅ Confirmation of Identity

(Using the AIATSIS Community Recognition Criteria)

To be eligible for identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support programs, applicants must meet the following three criteria:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person

• Be accepted by the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community with which you live or have previously lived

 

💬 Need Help?

We are here to support you with your application.

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General application questions - applications@openingthedoors.org.au

Questions about payments or vouchers -accounts@openingthedoors.org.au​​​​​​​

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