Supporting Age-Friendly Communities in Western Australia

I’m pleased to share that the Cook Labor Government has today opened the Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program, offering $220,000 in funding to help build more inclusive, connected communities for older Western Australians.

With a rapidly ageing population—one in four Western Australians will be over 65 by 2071—it’s essential we invest now in ways to ensure our seniors remain connected, active, and valued members of society.

The grants program includes two funding streams:

• Up to $15,000 for local governments and not-for-profit organisations to deliver initiatives that build older people’s connection to community and help achieve age-friendly outcomes.
  
  
• Support for local governments to become members of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (WHO GNAFCC), recognising leadership in creating inclusive communities for seniors.
  
  

This funding forms part of the State Seniors Strategy 2023–2033 Action Plan, and reflects Western Australia's international leadership in the age-friendly movement—WA being the first Australian jurisdiction and one of only 18 worldwide affiliates of the WHO GNAFCC.

I encourage you to consider how your organisation or community can take part in this opportunity. Projects may include improvements to access, engagement activities, intergenerational programs, or initiatives that celebrate and connect older people to their local area.

Applications close on 18 August 2025. For more information, including guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.lgprofessionalswa.org.au/agefriendlygrants