The Victorian Government has officially opened applications for the Future Ready 2027–2028 Program, a major funding initiative designed to support secondary school students in Victoria through education, leadership, mentoring, employment readiness, volunteering, and personal development opportunities.
The program offers funding between AUD $24,000 and AUD $168,000 to eligible government schools, not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises working to help young people achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Future Ready is focused on empowering Victorian secondary school students with practical experiences, leadership opportunities, and pathways into education, training, employment, and community engagement.
Applications are currently open and will close at 1:00 PM on Friday, 26 June 2026.
About the Future Ready Program
The Future Ready 2027–2028 Program is a two-year funding initiative that supports projects and activities aimed at improving outcomes for secondary school students across Victoria.
The program is aligned with the Victorian Government’s broader youth development strategy and focuses on helping young people become:
- Confident in their identity and connection
- Active participants in decision-making
- Prepared for education, employment, training, and volunteering opportunities
Funded projects will run across the 2027 and 2028 school calendar years, beginning from:
- Start of Term 1, 2027
- End of Term 4, 2028
Funding Amount
Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from:
- AUD $24,000 to AUD $168,000
The funding is intended to support impactful youth-focused programs that create long-term positive outcomes for students.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
The Future Ready Program supports a broad range of youth development activities and initiatives.
Examples of eligible activities include:
1. Mentoring Programs
Projects that:
- Help students understand their strengths
- Build confidence and resilience
- Support students in reaching their personal and academic goals
2. Training and Employment Readiness
Programs that offer:
- Accredited or recognised training
- Work placements
- Internship-style experiences
- Volunteering opportunities
- Career readiness activities
3. Leadership Development
Activities that:
- Encourage youth participation
- Build leadership skills
- Promote decision-making and civic engagement
- Support peer mentoring and community leadership
4. Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Projects involving:
- Experiential learning
- Creative and practical development programs
- Community-based learning initiatives
- Skills-building workshops
The Victorian Government encourages innovative and inclusive projects that strengthen student engagement and wellbeing.
Priority Areas of the Program
Future Ready aligns with three major youth development priorities:
1. Education, Employment and Training
Supporting young people to achieve their goals through:
- Education
- Training
- Employment pathways
- Volunteering opportunities
2. Youth Participation and Inclusion
Helping young people feel:
- Respected
- Heard
- Included in decision-making
3. Identity, Confidence and Connection
Supporting programs that strengthen:
- Personal identity
- Cultural connection
- Community belonging
- Confidence and resilience
Who Can Apply?
The program is open to:
Eligible Applicants
- Government secondary schools in Victoria
- Not-for-profit community organisations
- Social enterprises partnering with government secondary schools
Collaborative partnerships are encouraged, especially projects connecting schools with community organisations and youth-focused enterprises.
Program Duration
The funded activities will operate over two years:
- 2027 school year
- 2028 school year
This extended funding period allows organisations to build sustainable and impactful youth development programs.
Information Session
To support applicants, the Victorian Government will host an official information session.
Information Session Details
- Date: Tuesday, 9 June 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
The session will guide applicants through:
- Eligibility requirements
- Application preparation
- Assessment criteria
- Funding conditions
Interested organisations are encouraged to register and attend.
Application Deadline
Applications close at:
- 1:00 PM (local time)
- Friday, 26 June 2026
Late submissions may not be accepted, so applicants should prepare their proposals early.
Why Organisations Should Apply
The Future Ready Program provides a major opportunity for schools and youth organisations to:
- Expand student support initiatives
- Increase youth participation and leadership
- Improve pathways to employment and education
- Strengthen youth wellbeing and identity
- Deliver innovative learning opportunities
- Build long-term impact in Victorian communities
The substantial two-year funding can help organisations scale programs and create meaningful change for young people.
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