Summer By The Sea Grants
Overview
Summer By The Sea Grants proudly support the delivery of free summer events that engage and educate the Victorian community about the marine and coastal environment.
The Victorian Government provides funding through the annual Summer By The Sea (SBTS) Grants program for free public events on coastal Crown Land.
Since 2021, the SBTS Grants has delivered over 250 free events reaching more than 15,000 people. These events champion inclusivity and enhance the diversity of Victorians who visit and care for our coastal environments.
The SBTS 2026 Grants program supports community participation, engagement and education to enhance community knowledge and understanding of coastal and marine management in the face of climate change.
The SBTS Grants objectives are:
- champion inclusivity and increase the diversity of Victorians visiting and caring for our coastal environments
- strengthen the capacity of Victorians to take informed action on conservation, sustainability and climate change through event-based educational activities
- prioritise Traditional Custodians' Self-Determination in caring for Country, recognising their deep knowledge and enduring connection to Sea Country
- promote positive behaviour change and marine and coastal volunteering and stewardship.
The theme for 2026 is 'The coast, the sea, and our community', reflecting the value and importance of community in how beautiful local places are cared for.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Aboriginal groups and organisations, Traditional Owners, land councils, trusts, co-operatives and Registered Aboriginal Party under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
- incorporated groups, organisations and educational institutions with a focus on the marine and coastal environment
- individual/sole traders or private businesses
- local or state government bodies, committees of management
Applicants must also hold:
- an active ABN
- public liability insurance of at least $20 million, covering the specific event category(s) outlined in the grant application.
Guidelines
The 2026 Summer By The Sea Grant Guidelines outline full eligibility, assessment criteria and required documentation to support your application.
2026 Summer By The Sea Grant Guidelines (PDF)
2026 Summer By The Sea Grant Guidelines (Word)
Supporting documentation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Job Safety Plan template
- Letter of Support Template (for Auspicing organisations to complete)
- Letter of Support Template (for community organisations to complete)
- Letter of Support Template (General)
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 15 September 2025 |
Applications close Late applications will not be accepted | 5pm AEDT 15 October 2025 |
| Applicants notified | November 2025 |
| Event delivery | 3 January – 18 January 2026 |
| Acquittal reports submitted | February 2026 |
Coastcare Victoria support
General Enquiries
Barwon South West region
Shaya Kaartinen-Price
0436 604 127
shaya.kaartinen-price@deeca.vic.gov.au
(Please note – Shaya is unavailable from 15 to 19 September 2025)
Port Phillip Bay and Western Port region
Jess Schubert-Hoban
0475 557 628
jess.schubert-hoban@deeca.vic.gov.au
(Please note – Jess is unavailable from 25 to 6 October 2025)
Gippsland region
Laura Town-Hopkinson
0427 818 683
laura.town-hopkinson@deeca.vic.gov.au
Previous Summer By The Sea programs
The theme for the 2025 program was ‘The Beach is For Everyone’. The theme celebrated diversity and found a variety of meaningful ways to connect all Victorians to the coastline.
| Events | Organisation | Location |
|---|---|---|
Snorkel | Bayplay Adventure Tours | Portsea |
Rockpool ramble | Bellarine Catchment Network | Ocean Grove, Eastern Beach, Barwon Heads, Breamlea |
Koonya beach walk | Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park | Koonya beach |
Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Walk & Talk | Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation | Beaumaris |
Cetacean science presentation | Cetacean Connections | Phillip Island and Mount Martha |
Sea Days Festival – Roaming display | The Connies | Port Welshpool |
Snorkelling | Disabled Divers Association | Beaumaris |
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony | Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation | Crofts Bay |
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony | Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation | Cape Conran |
Penguin Gawk, Marvellous Mutton Birds, Touch table, Rockpool Ramble | Habitat Connections | London Bridge, Port Campbell, Warrnambool, Peterborough, 12 Apostles, Muttonbird Island |
Litter clean-up & BBQ | OzFish Unlimited | Geelong |
Marine mammal presentation | Marine Mammal Foundation | Woolamai, Port Campbell |
First Nations cultural awareness workshop | Nomuckerlener Indigenous Consulting | Frankston and Point Cook |
Dancing with the stars, Dinosaur discovery, Estuarine ecology, First Nations Cultural Discovery, Geology Walk, Inverloch volcanics, Making art from nature, Native plants and animals, Rockpool ramble, Seashell exploration | South Gippsland Conservation Society | Inverloch |
Borough By The Bay Festival | Southern Ocean Environmental Link | Queenscliff Harbour |
Stand Up Paddleboarding | Surfing Victoria | Statewide |
Shore snorkel and Canoeing | Swan Bay Environmental Association & Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre | Queenscliff, Swan Bay |
Wild Families | Victorian National Parks Association | Barwon Bluff |
Sea Slug Census | Victorian National Parks Association | San Remo |
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony | Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation | Queenscliff |
Education walk | Werribee River Association | Point Cook |
Junior Rangers | White Cliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve CoM | Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve |
Running event | Wild for Nature | Torquay |
Working bee | Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club | Woolamai |