Support Organisation Stream Grants Program

The Dust Diseases Board funds groups or organisations that support people with a dust disease and their families.

Through this we aim to:

  • Inform and educate people about dust diseases and the Dust Diseases Care scheme
  • Support people through the scheme's compensation process
  • Optimise the wellbeing of people with a dust disease.

Key dates and application documents

 Event Date 
Application open  4 October 2024
Application close  7 November 2024
Anticipated announcement 24 March 2025
Funding agreement executed 30 June 2025

We are looking forward to receiving your application. Please refer to our submission guide, guidelines and application form available for download online

Application documents

If you have any questions, please the DDC Research and Education Team at ddcgrants@icare.nsw.gov.au.

Dust Diseases Board Grant Strategy Guiding Principles

The DDB has established a set of guiding principles that form the cornerstone of their grant strategy. These principles are essential criteria against which all grant applications are evaluated.

Applicants must ensure their proposals align with one or more of these principles as relevant to this stream:

  • Benefits NSW workers with dust diseases and their families and contributes to a better quality of life for workers with dust diseases.
  • Contributes to the effective administration of the dust diseases scheme in NSW.
  • Supports early-stage innovations and ideas that can be turned into impact.
  • Fosters collaboration to develop and broaden expertise and leverage investment to increase impact.
  • Develop a better understanding of dust diseases in NSW, to prevent the development of dust diseases among people at risk. 

    Support organisation grants awarded before 2024

  • Project: Growth of ADDRI’s Mesothelioma Support Program & Expansion of Silicosis Support

    Project: Growth of ADDRI’s Mesothelioma Support Program & Expansion of Silicosis Support

    Organisation: Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute

    Awarded Funding: $298,252

    Grant Awarded: FY23 (1 year)

    The Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) currently offers comprehensive care and support for patients and families navigating the mesothelioma journey, from diagnosis to treatment and, regrettably, to palliative care.

    While ADDRI's primary focus has been on individuals affected by mesothelioma, the deadliest of asbestos-related diseases, the scope of their services is set to expand to include those impacted by other dust diseases, specifically silicosis. The patient journeys for these two disease groups differ substantially, primarily due to variations in the ages of the affected individuals, their occupational backgrounds, and the distinct medical and psychological needs of the involved cohorts.

    Support from ADDRI is delivered through phone consultations, one-on-one sessions, and group work. Over the past year, ADDRI has also provided specialised in-hospital training for nurses across Sydney and Illawarra, along with the creation of dedicated online resources and training modules to raise awareness and specialised knowledge about mesothelioma.

    These modules are aimed at nurses, allied health professionals, as well as patients and carers. A training module focusing on silicosis is near completion and will soon be added to ADDRI's online toolkit.

  • Project: Awareness of occupational lung health hazards for CALD communities

    Project: Awareness of occupational lung health hazards for CALD communities

    Organisation: Lung Foundation Australia

    Awarded Funding: $91,800

    Grant Awarded: FY22 (2 years)

    Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) aims to inform and educate at-risk members of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities about dust diseases and the Dust Diseases Care Scheme. The goal is to decrease the incidence of occupational lung diseases and dust diseases within these key CALD groups.

    To accomplish this, LFA will develop customised factsheets and video materials focusing on occupational lung diseases and dust diseases. These resources will be distributed through a targeted promotional campaign. Specifically designed to enhance understanding, the LFA resources will cover the following key areas:

    • Identification of occupational lung disease and dust disease hazards
    • Guidelines for workers and employers on risk management and health monitoring at the workplace
    • Recommendations for individuals on how to safeguard their lung health at work
    • Points to discuss with healthcare professionals.
  • Project: Mesothelioma Helpline Operator and Support Services

    Organisation

    Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia

    Awarded funding

    $170,000 (2 years, awarded in FY21)

    ADFA is a community-based advocacy and support group for people affected by asbestos-related diseases. Through attending events, conferences and direct communications ADFA provides information to their target audience. They also provide community level support for recently bereaved families.

    The Mesothelioma Helpline Operator provides assistance and advice to victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families whilst also maintaining ongoing administrative functions.

  • Project: Mesothelioma Support Coordinators

    Organisation

    Asbestos Diseases Research Institute

    Awarded funding

    $279,234 (2 years, awarded in FY21)

    The Mesothelioma Support Coordinators are Registered Nurses that advise and support patients and their families through individual conversations, group meetings and information sessions.

    This integrated service also conducts educational and targeted group meetings with guest speakers on all aspects of mesothelioma management from diagnosis to bereavement.

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