Let's Grow Grants

Any of your personal information collected via the SmartyGrants application form will be used to assess or contact you or the landowner/manager of the project site regarding your Let’s Grow Grants application. You will also be subscribed to the Let’s Grow program e-news to receive updates regarding the grants and other general program information.

The grants program is delivered by the Western Australian Planning Commission, supported by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. The Department will handle any personal information or commercial in confidence information provided responsibly.

We will not disclose your personal information for any other purpose without your consent unless required by law, or the disclosure is authorised under the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024.

We use SmartyGrants, a third-party platform, to manage the grant applications we receive. Please see SmartyGrants’s Privacy Policy for details about how it manages personal information.

For information about how your personal information is handled, please see the WA.gov.au Privacy Statement, the Department's Privacy Policy, or contact the Department on (08) 6551 8002 or info@dplh.wa.gov.au or see our address on the right of this web page. 

When will the Let’s Grow  Grants close? 

Round One will close on 30 June 2026, or earlier if all funds for Round One have been allocated. Details and eligibility for future rounds will be announced after Round One has closed — subscribe to the Let’s Grow e-news to stay in touch. 

Is this a competitive grants process? 

Round One of the Let’s Grow Grants is non-competitive. If your project meets the eligibility and assessment criteria, it has a fair chance of being funded (until funds are exhausted for this round). 

Who can apply for a Let’s Grow  Grant?

Eligible applicants for Round One are: 

• registered government or non-government schools
• not-for-profit community groups incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) (for example, P&C groups, ‘Friends of’ groups, sporting, recreation or residents’ groups),
• charity not-for-profit organisations registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.  

For-profit organisations and individuals are not eligible for Round One funding.

Applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) and be an Australian entity operating in Western Australia with appropriate insurance for the duration of the proposed project — typically public liability, volunteers and, where relevant, workers’ compensation.

Organisations without an ABN or ACN can still apply through a project sponsor, such as a local government or another eligible not-for-profit organisation that can enter into the funding agreement on their behalf. 

Can local governments apply?

Local governments are not eligible to apply directly but they can act as a project sponsor for schools, community groups and not-for-profit organisations.

I have a project idea but I'm not part of a community group, how do I get involved?

Part of the Urban Greening Strategy’s ‘Right Approach’ Greening Principle promotes that urban greening works best when people plan, plant and care for places together.

Explore the below links and connect with existing groups and local collectives:

• Find a conservation group
• Join a ‘Friends of’ group
• Connect with NatureLink
• ReWild somewhere
• Plant on the coast
• Be part of the Town Team Movement
• Volunteer with others.

You could also connect with local groups like community hubs or sporting clubs, which use the site and would benefit from its greening.

If you have a potential project site in mind, find out who is responsible for that site and express your interest to them. If it is a local council, they may be able to connect you with a local community group.

Spreading the word about the Let’s Grow Grants is also helpful — See Resources section below to promote the grants on social media.

Will eligibility change in future rounds? 

Funding priorities and applicant/project eligibility will be reviewed annually to make sure the Let’s Grow Grants continue to support projects that best advance the goals of the Urban Greening Strategy. Future rounds may consider adjustments based on feedback, demand and insights gathered from previous rounds. 

Where do projects need to be located? 

Projects must be within the boundaries of the two regions – Whadjuk (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel). Check the list of suburbs in the 'Documents' section of this page further above to confirm if your project site is within Perth and Peel. Applications are assessed on their own merit, with consideration given to supporting a broad spread of successful projects across both regions.

The proposed project site must be in an urban area where people live, work and visit and where urban heat is felt most. Rural and farmland sites are excluded. By prioritising urban areas, we can deliver greening to where it will have the greatest positive impact. 

Projects can take place on public or private land provided they benefit the community. Projects cannot be in private backyards, but they can be in private spaces that your community can access and enjoy. Examples include school grounds, street verges, parks, reserves, places of worship, sports halls, carparks, commercial areas or retail strips. If you don’t own the land, you must obtain written approval from the responsible landowner/manager or school principal as part of the application form.

How will my project be assessed? 

All applications will be assessed against the four Greening Principles of the Urban Greening Strategy — Right Place, Right Amount, Right Kind and Right Approach (see Appendix 2 in the Round One Guidelines). Proposed projects will also be assessed on a ‘value for money’ basis to ensure they represent a worthwhile investment of public funds. More information is available in the Round One Guidelines.

To maximise grant funding and impact, merit will be given to projects that actively seek to deliver as many community, environmental and economic urban greening benefits as possible. How to demonstrate this is included in the application form and the appendices in the Round One Guidelines. 

Do I need approval from the landowner, land manager or school principal before applying? 

Yes, to apply you will need written approval confirming the project has permission to proceed and can be maintained over time. This would be from the landowner, responsible land manager or school principal, depending on where the planting will occur. Government schools seeking more than $50,000 in grant funds will also need to comply with the Department of Education’s procurement process (see the WA Government School’s Applicant Support Guide in the Grants Guidelines appendices). 

What is the difference between Stream 1 and Stream 2? 

There are two funding streams to suit projects of varying size and complexity:

Stream 1 (small projects): $500 to $10,000 

• Paid upfront in one instalment to support immediate planting
• Up to two years to complete the project
• Simpler application process
• Only covers basic supplementary items.

Stream 2 (large projects): $10,001 to $100,000 

• Paid partly upfront, with remaining funds paid in instalments as outlined in the funding agreement
• Up to three years to complete
• More detailed application process to reflect the scale and scope of the project
• Covers more supplementary items.

This structure allows smaller projects to have a more streamlined process — and larger, more complex projects the flexibility to plan and plant over three years if needed. 

Should I time my project around the planting season? 

Yes. This is part of the Strategy’s Right Approach Greening Principle. Planting season in Whadjuk (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) starts after the first rains and when cooler and wetter weather helps new plants establish, and before the warmer months start. Plan ahead so you can plant during this window.

Larger projects may need to order trees and plants from local nurseries several months in advance depending on species and quantity. Small projects may be able to source stock closer to planting time. 

A good first step is to explore the Resources section below. Talk to your local nursery or grower about your project idea and seek their advice and check plant availability. 

Do I have to plant trees or can I just plant low-level vegetation? 

Tree planting must be the focus of your project but low-level vegetation like shrubs, groundcovers and native grasses are also encouraged. Projects without tree planting will not be eligible. This aligns with the Urban Greening Strategy and its target to increase tree canopy to 30 per cent.

Do we need experience in tree planting?

No, you just need an idea of where and what to plant, and work with your school or group to provide ongoing care for your plantings to ensure they thrive. Explore the Resources section below and speak to your local nursery or council for advice. If you need to engage a grant-funded landscaper or other contractor, you will need to apply through Stream 2 for grants for large projects.

Can my project only plant natives?

Under the ‘Right Kind’ Greening Principle in the Urban Greening Strategy, projects should prioritise native species. In some cases, waterwise, non-invasive exotics that thrive locally can offer good benefits. 

Prioritise native plants that grow in your local area, and then Australian natives that will thrive in your site’s location. Local native species are encouraged, particularly where projects aim to support biodiversity, wildlife habitat or green links.  

Do we need to provide our own funding too?

Co-contributions of funds or in-kind support are welcome and will be considered favourably but are not required.

Can the grants fund other greening activity like events or community education? 

Let’s Grow Grants are for practical planting projects that put trees in the ground. While you are encouraged to make community planting days or education activities part of your project, grant funding can only be used for the planting work and essential items needed to establish your plantings.

Can funding be used for supplementary works or items? 

Yes, funding can cover some essential supplementary items that help prepare the site and directly support planting and ongoing care, such as soil preparation, mulch, stakes or watering systems. 

Note that your application will be assessed on a ‘value for money’ basis, with greater flexibility in Stream 2 (large projects) for items such as machinery hire and engaging contractors. 

Do we need quotes?

Realistic cost estimates are required for all other trees and plants and supplementary items, which can be obtained by browsing online or visiting your local nursery or tree supplier for pricing. 

Generally:

• Stream 1: usually no quotes are required, except for any item of $1,000 or more.
• Stream 2: a quote is required for each item of $1,000 or more, and two quotes for any contractors or consultants.

Can I submit more than one application? 

Yes. You can submit more than one application, but only two applications per school campus or project site can be funded in Round One. 

How does the assessment and approval process work? 

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage administers the grants on behalf of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). The following is a brief overview of the grants process:

• Eligibility check: applications are reviewed to confirm they meet the criteria.
• Merit assessment: eligible projects are assessed.
• Recommendations: projects are recommended to the WAPC for approval.
• Funding agreement: successful applicants enter into a funding agreement with the WAPC.
• Post-project report: applicants provide brief details, figures, photos and any other supporting information about the project for program reporting and promotions. 

How long will it take to find out if my application is successful? 

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will seek to notify Stream 1 applicants within one month, and Stream 2 applicants within three months, of receiving a complete application. 

What happens if we are awarded grant funding and our project or plans change?

Contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as early as possible. Changes that impact the funding agreement must be requested in writing and include an explanation for the change. It will usually need approval before going ahead. All unspent funds above $20 in total must be returned in line with the funding agreement.

How will progress be measured? 

The Let’s Grow Grants program is part of the wider Let’s Grow urban greening program. All successful projects will be asked to confirm numbers of trees and low-level vegetation planted, and over what area.