Australian High Commission
South Africa
High Commission address: 292 Orient Street, Arcadia, Pretoria - Telephone: +27 12 423 6000 - Fax: +27 12 342 8442 (Admin & Consular)

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

The Australian Government's overseas aid program is a Federal Government funded program that reduces poverty in developing countries.  The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) manages the program.

Australia's Development Assistance to Africa

Australia is developing a new strategy for development assistance to Africa. This will see a significant increase in Australian assistance to support progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.  For general information about Australia's development assistance to Africa, please click here

For information about the Australian development scholarships, including how to apply, please click here

Small Grants Programs in Southern Africa

The High Commission in South Africa coordinates a number of small grants schemes for southern African countries.  An information bulletin can be found here.

The Direct Aid Program is a flexible, small grants scheme for development activities valued up to A$30,000 (approx. ZAR180,000).  The emphasis of the program is on alleviating basic humanitarian hardships.  Applications are accepted all year round.  Non-Government Organisations in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland are eligible to apply.  Information on how to apply can be found here.

The Africa Regional Small Activities Scheme (SAS) is a grants scheme for development activities valued between A$10,000 and A$50,000.  Applications are accepted all year round.  Non-Government Organisations in Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa are eligible to apply. Information on how to apply can be found here.

The Human Rights Small Grants Scheme (HRSGS) is a small grants scheme for organisations that seek to complete one year projects worth between A$20,000 and A$100,000 focused on promoting and protecting human rights.  Non-Government Organisations in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland are eligible to apply.  Examples of successful projects can be found here.  Applications for the 2009 program are now closed.  Successful projects were announced on 10 December 2009 and can be found here.

The Australian Sports Outreach Program is a small grants scheme (up to around A$20,000), which supports programs that promote increasing community participation in sport and physical activity, and issues such as health promotion, leadership and social cohesion through sport and physical activity.  Non-Government organisations in Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia are eligible to apply.  Applications for this year's program have now closed. 

If you have any further queries about any of the above grant programs, please send us an email to pretoria.info@dfat.gov.au, clearly identifying which program you are enquiring about.

All applications should be directed to the relevant program coordinator at the Australian High Commission (e.g. Human Rights Small Grants Scheme Coordinator).