Community and Industry Grants Branch oversees all Fair Trading grants programs, as well as providing administrative support to the Financial Counselling Trust Fund, which was established in 1992 under the Credit (Savings and Transitional) Regulation 1984. The Trust Fund is one of the funding sources for the Financial Counselling Services Grants Program.

The two largest programs are the Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Program and the Financial Counselling Services Program with both programs offering funding for a 3-year period.

Applications for grants can generally be made by non-profit incorporated or registered organisations operating within New South Wales, academic institutions and in specific programs, co-operatives, registered trade unions, government agencies, councils and suitably skilled individuals.

The specific grants programs are:

Currently open for application

Co-operative development grants program
Rental Bond Board grants program

Currently closed to applicants

Aged care supported accommodation service
Financial counselling services program
Home building grants program
No interest loan scheme program – auspice for NSW state coordinator
No interest loan scheme program – NSW NILS services
Property services grants program
Tenants advice and advocacy program

Programs phased out as at 30 June 2007

Financial Counselling Trust Fund
Credit Counselling Program

Funding under these programs is now provided under the Financial Counselling Services Program.

For further information contact the Manager, Community and Industry Grants Branch at grants@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au or phone on 9619 8798 or fax on 9777 8810.