If you run or manage an aged care service, particularly a rural, remote or small to medium provider, the LIFT Leadership Program is worth knowing about. It’s not a cash grant, it’s a subsidised leadership development course, and many eligible providers can access it completely free. This guide explains, in plain language, what LIFT offers, who qualifies for a full scholarship, and what to do before applications close.
What is the LIFT Leadership Program?
LIFT Leadership Program is a workforce development initiative delivered by ARIIA (the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia). It’s important to be upfront: this is not a cash grant you apply for and receive as funding. It’s a structured leadership training course for people working in aged care, with the cost heavily subsidised, and in many cases fully covered, for eligible providers and individuals.
Who qualifies?
Applications are open to people working in aged care generally, with the standard course cost applying by default. However, full scholarships, meaning no cost at all, are available for:
- Aged care providers in rural or remote areas, specifically those classified MMM 3 to MMM 7 under the Modified Monash Model.
- Providers serving vulnerable populations.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care organisations.
- Small to medium aged care providers, defined as those with fewer than 250 beds, packages or clients.
If your organisation fits any of these categories, check the official eligibility criteria closely, as you may be able to access the full program at no cost.
What does the program involve?
LIFT is a leadership development course rather than a funding round. The official program page doesn’t publish a detailed curriculum breakdown in its summary, so for full session content and structure, check the official ARIIA program page or contact the LIFT team directly (details below).
What does it cost?
The standard cost is $600 plus GST per person. As outlined above, full scholarships covering this entire cost are available for rural and remote providers (MMM 3 to 7), providers serving vulnerable populations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care organisations, and small to medium providers with fewer than 250 beds, packages or clients. If you fit one of these categories, you may be able to complete the program without paying the standard fee.
Key dates
Applications close at midnight ACDT on 7 October 2026. The program itself runs from 19 October to 11 December 2026.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through ARIIA’s online application form. For questions about eligibility or the scholarship criteria, contact the LIFT Leadership Program team via the official ARIIA program page.
Documents you may need to prepare
The official program page doesn’t publish a specific document checklist in its public summary. As a general guide, applicants seeking a scholarship place are commonly asked to confirm their organisation’s size, location classification, or population served, in order to demonstrate scholarship eligibility. Treat this as a general guide only. The exact requirements will be set out in the official application form.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t assume this is a cash grant. LIFT is a subsidised or free leadership training course, not a funding payment to your organisation. Budget and plan accordingly.
Don’t miss the scholarship eligibility check. If your organisation is rural or remote (MMM 3 to 7), serves vulnerable populations, is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged care organisation, or is a small to medium provider, confirm this clearly in your application to access the full scholarship.
Don’t leave your application to the last minute. Applications close at midnight ACDT on 7 October 2026, ahead of the program start on 19 October.
Don’t confuse the standard cost with the scholarship cost. The standard $600 plus GST fee only applies if you don’t meet one of the scholarship categories above.
How competitive is this program likely to be?
The official program page doesn’t publish applicant numbers or place limits in its public summary, so we won’t invent a competitiveness estimate. Given that scholarship places are targeted at specific provider categories, eligible rural, remote, vulnerable-population-serving, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and small to medium providers should apply promptly to secure a place ahead of the closing date.
What to prepare before you apply
- Check which scholarship category, if any, applies to your organisation. Rural or remote location (MMM 3 to 7), vulnerable population service, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status, or small to medium provider size.
- Confirm your availability for the program dates, 19 October to 11 December 2026.
- Complete the official ARIIA application form ahead of the midnight ACDT 7 October 2026 closing time.
Related funding options
If your organisation is based outside a major city, our regional business grants guide covers other non-metropolitan funding options. For broader workforce development funding, our training grants guide is also worth reviewing.
Not sure yet which type of grant or funding support actually fits your organisation? Grants Assist’s eligibility assessment tool is a good starting point to quickly narrow down realistic options based on your circumstances, rather than reading through dozens of individual programs one by one.
The bottom line
The LIFT Leadership Program is a real, currently open leadership training opportunity for the aged care sector, not a cash grant, with a standard cost of $600 plus GST and full scholarships available for rural and remote, vulnerable-population-serving, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and small to medium providers. Applications close midnight ACDT 7 October 2026, ahead of a program running 19 October to 11 December 2026.
Want to keep exploring your options? Grants Assist’s online portal gives you access to detailed, regularly updated information on grants and assistance programs across Australia. Explore the Grants Assist portal to browse more programs like this one, or call us on 1300-005-999 to speak with one of our advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LIFT Leadership Program a cash grant?
No. It’s a subsidised leadership training course for aged care providers, not a funding payment. Eligible providers may access it as a full scholarship at no cost.
How much does the LIFT Leadership Program cost?
The standard cost is $600 plus GST per person. Full scholarships are available for rural and remote providers (MMM 3 to 7), providers serving vulnerable populations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care organisations, and small to medium providers with fewer than 250 beds, packages or clients.
When do applications close?
Midnight ACDT on 7 October 2026.
When does the program run?
19 October to 11 December 2026.
Who is eligible for a full scholarship?
Rural and remote aged care providers classified MMM 3 to MMM 7, providers serving vulnerable populations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care organisations, and small to medium providers with fewer than 250 beds, packages or clients.
