The second round of Julia Farr Disability Inclusion Grants opens today, building on the Malinauskas Government's ongoing commitment to invest in practical, community-led disability inclusion initiatives that deliver real outcomes for South Australians.
Funded through the Home for the Incurables (HFI) Trust, the grants ensure proceeds from the former Julia Farr Centre continue to be reinvested directly back into the community, supporting projects that break down barriers, increase participation, and strengthen inclusion across South Australia.
The Julia Farr Disability Inclusion Grants are funded through proceeds from the sale of Highgate Park, formerly the Julia Farr Centre, with funds held in perpetuity to benefit South Australians with disability. The grants are delivered by the Department of Human Services on behalf of the HFI Trust and will continue to be offered twice each year.
Grants are available in two tiers:
- up to $20,000 for projects delivered over 12 months
- up to $100,000 for larger initiatives delivered over 24 months
This second round follows a strong inaugural round, which saw almost $350,000 awarded to 14 projects delivering tangible change across the state.
Among the successful first round recipients:
- Guide Dogs Association of SA & NT: $18,461 - to support teens with vision loss to thrive into adulthood through the provision of a school holiday program.
- Regional Galleries Association of SA (RAGSA): $18,900 to train audio describers, enabling inclusive experiences for people who are blind, or vision impaired in rural and regional SA.
- SHINE SA: $80,000 to co-design accessible, rights-based health resources that help young people with intellectual disability to understand healthy relationships, consent and sexual wellbeing, while building confidence and self-advocacy.
Held during the April school holidays, Guide Dogs SA/NT's Navigating the Future with Confidence was a two-day program held in Adelaide for young people aged 14–18 with vision loss, living in both regional and metropolitan South Australia. The program aims to equip participants with essential life skills to build independence, confidence, and motivation as they transition into adult life.
They are delivered in person using screen readers and high-visibility materials, via expert facilitators and individuals with lived experience leading the activities.
The April sessions focused on administrative and practical readiness, covering topics such as disability entitlements (blind pension, companion card, parking permits, travel cards, grants), first-aid training, financial preparation, quick meals cookery classes and Guide Dog handling.
RGASA's Seeing through sounds: Building audio describing capacity in regional galleries project is being delivered in partnership with Access2Arts. The project will train regional gallery staff as audio describers, enabling more inclusive arts experiences for people who are blind or vision impaired.
By embedding accessibility skills within regional communities, the initiative will make more than 3000 artworks across regional collections accessible, widening gallery audiences and strengthening inclusive cultural participation across the state.
Other projects funded in the first round highlight the breadth of impact being delivered through this investment, including accessible health and wellbeing resources, community-led programs supporting participation and connection, and local initiatives improving accessibility in public spaces.
As put by Katrine Hildyard
These grants reflect a clear commitment to ensuring funding is reinvested where it matters most; directly into communities, supporting ideas that improve everyday life, open access and strengthen inclusion across South Australia.
We have already seen strong outcomes from the first round, and this second round continues that momentum.
I encourage organisations across South Australia to come forward with practical, community-driven initiatives that deliver real inclusion and help build a more connected, fair and inclusive South Australia.
As put by Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Daniel Cox
This funding is a meaningful investment in the future of young people with vision loss across South Australia. Through our School Holiday Programs, we're helping teens build the practical skills, independence and self-belief they need as they step into adulthood.
This grant allows us to deliver hands-on, life-changing support at a critical time in their lives. We're grateful for the opportunity to empower these young people to navigate their futures with confidence.
As put by Regional Galleries Association of SA Chair Dr Helen Macdonald
Receiving the grant has been a fantastic opportunity for us. It gives our members an opportunity to expand their skills by taking part in the audio described project.
Importantly it will help make works of art more accessible to a broader audience.
Applications open 11 May 2026. For more information and to apply visit: dhs.sa.gov.au/grants.
