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In the community

For over 40 years, South32 Worsley Alumina has been an integral part of the South West and Peel regions, creating jobs and contributing to a brighter future. We are proud of our long-standing commitment to building strong, sustainable communities. 

Our partnerships and social investment initiatives reflect our dedication to community-led development that creates real impact, not just for today but for future generations. We believe we are stronger and capable of building brighter futures, together. 

Each year, we aim to invest in local community projects across : education and leadership, good health and social wellbeing, economic participation, natural resource resilience and Indigenous participation. Through our social investments we contribute to a wide range of local programs and initiatives, building meaningful relationships and helping to create brighter futures together. 

On this page:
 Community Grants Program
Community Liaison Committees
Local Voices Survey

Community Grants

Community Grants

The South32 Worsley Alumina Community Grants Program provides the opportunity for funding for eligible local organisations, projects and programs that provide a benefit to people in the South West and Peel communities.

We’re excited to share that the South32 Worsley Alumina Community Grants Program is getting a major refresh in 2026 — bigger, better and designed to give local groups more time, more support and more impact. For the past two years, we’ve run two grant rounds annually, offering up to A$5,000 for community projects across the Shires of Boddington, Collie, Murray, Wandering, Waroona and Williams, as well as Greater Bunbury and surrounds. After listening to community feedback and reviewing the program, we’re making some important improvements.

What’s New in 2026?

One Bigger Round, More Time to Apply

Instead of two short rounds, we’re moving to one annual grant round — closing 31 May. This gives community groups more breathing room to plan, collaborate and prepare strong applications.

Increased Funding: Up to $10,000

We know many groups have big ideas that need bigger support. That’s why the funding limit is increasing to A$10,000 for projects that meet key criteria — helping more long‑term, high‑impact initiatives come to life.

We will now have two grant options:

Lift Grant (Under $5,000)

For small, local ideas that are ready to get off the ground. Lift Grants support practical, community‑focused projects that deliver immediate benefits.

You’re a good fit if your project:

  • Is small, local and ready to start
  • Has a simple, realistic plan and basic budget
  • Shows a clear link to at least one focus area
  • Delivers direct benefit to a specific local group
  • Encourages access and participation

Examples of what can be funded: Events, materials, small equipment

Amplify Grant ($5,000–$10,000)

For projects with the structure and planning to reach more people and create deeper outcomes. Amplify Grants back projects that are ready to scale their impact and strengthen collaboration.

You’re a good fit if your project:

  • Reaches more people or addresses a broader community need
  • Has a detailed plan, timeline, risk considerations and full cost breakdown
  • Strongly aligns with multiple focus areas and regional priorities
  • Provides broader or longer‑term community benefit
  • Involves collaboration with other groups or organisations

Examples of what can be funded: Multi‑session programs, medium capital items

Which grant is right for me?

Apply for a Lift Grant if your project is small, local and ready to get off the ground.

Apply for an Amplify Grant if your project has a wider reach, involves partners, or needs a more detailed plan.

Apply now

 

Who is eligible for a community grant?

Not-for-profit, sporting and recreation, and community organisations which are incorporated (or auspiced via another incorporated body) are eligible to be considered for funding.  Individuals, sole traders and companies are not eligible to apply.  Organisations can only submit one application for each application period and acknowledge that South32 Worsley Alumina may not necessarily fund the whole (or any) of the requested grant, even if they meet the funding criteria.  Successful applicants will need to enter a funding agreement with South32 Worsley Alumina prior to receipt of the grant funding. 

Focus areas

South32 supports local community projects aligned to four key focus areas:

 

Education and leadershipExpandCollapse
  • Education, training, youth development and childcare.
  • Supporting lifelong learning and development, nurturing future leaders, and promoting equal access to education, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 
Good health and social wellbeingExpandCollapse
  • Community health, sport and recreation, family, and youth support.
  • Supporting community health and social wellbeing and promoting inclusion.
Economic participationExpandCollapse
  • Local employment, local business development.
  • Supporting local employment, sustainable livelihoods, and diversified local economies. 
Natural resource resilienceExpandCollapse
  • Environment, water, land management.
  • Supporting communities to thrive in their environment and use natural resources responsibly and sustainably.

Application periods

The 2026 Community Grants Program will be open for applications in March and April.

Applications are assessed against the eligibility criteria and considered by the South32 Community Grants Committee, which consists of eight members from across our operational locations.  South32 Worsley Alumina’s decision is final. 

Apply now

South32 will consider funding:

  • Education and training programs
  • Good health and social wellbeing initiatives
  • Indigenous community and capacity building
  • Empowering community members and leaders
  • A focus on children and youth
  • Community safety initiatives
  • Environmentally responsible measures
  • Community infrastructure and economic development

South32 will not consider the following applications:

  • Individuals
  • Team or individual travel expenses
  • Fundraising for religious or political purposes
  • Activities that conflict with South32’s corporate values, Code of Business Conduct, Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy or a combination of one, more or all
  • Projects not aligned with our focus areas
  • Projects incapable of delivering measurable benefit(s) to the community and
  • Projects or activities previously supported where South32’s support did not (in our view) deliver on the intended purpose and expected benefits

If your community project or event is planned to commence earlier than the outcome notification date, please contact the South32 Community Team.  Applications must be submitted through the Community Grants Portal within the first seven days of the grant acceptance period in order to eligible for ‘early consideration’ review.

Applications are considered by South32's Community Support Committee. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application via email within 30 days of the end of the application acceptance period. It is important to note that as there are limited funds, not all applications, even if they meet the criteria, can be funded.

Once the community project or event has been delivered, the grant recipient must provide South32 with a completed acquittal form to confirm the organisation has complied with the terms of the grant funding agreement.  Photographs must be accompanied with a Photographic Consent Form and additional supporting documentation may be required. No further applications for funding will be considered until an acquittal has been provided and reviewed by the South32 Community team.

For more information about Worsley Alumina's Community Grants Program, please contact the Community Team at [email protected]

Community Liaison Committees

Our Community Liaison Committees (CLCs) provide a valuable forum for us to regularly share updates on our operations, community initiatives and environmental activities. During quarterly meetings, we address questions and engage in open discussions with members. 

We currently have two Committees that provide a platform for open, meaningful dialogue between our operation and local community representatives: 

  • The Boddington Bauxite Mine CLC brings together representatives from Boddington, Williams, and Wandering. 
  • The Refinery CLC includes representatives from Collie, Harvey, and Worsley. 

Membership of the CLC includes representatives from South32 Worsley Alumina, local government, community representatives from business and industry, local residents, Traditional Custodians, local high school professionals, and specialist interest groups. 

You can view past CLC minutes and presentations in our document library here. 

If you would like to learn more about our committees or express interest in joining, please contact [email protected]. 

Local Voices Surveys

South32 Worsley Alumina engages Voconiq to conduct the Local Voice program, which enables community members to confidentially provide direct feedback and insights into the needs, concerns and priorities of the communities surrounding Worsley’s operations twice a year. These surveys provide a snapshot of the results collected from the communities we operate in, with comparisons made between surveys.

View our Local Voice Summaries here.

Voconiq has collated all survey responses confidentially, with no personal information shared with South32 Worsley Alumina.

You can view the current results and complete the next Local voices here.

Raise funds for your Local community group!

We support the communities we work in through the Voconiq Local Voices Community Rewards Program. This allows eligible community groups (such as schools, charities, and not-for-profit clubs and organisations) within the region of the study to nominate for donations.

Every time a survey is completed, community members can assign a donation token to one or more community groups registered with Voconiq Local Voices in their area.

For every completed 'Anchor' survey, the longer and more in-depth survey completed every 18-months, a $10 donation will be awarded to a local community group of the participant's choice, and $5 for the shorter six monthly ‘pulse’ surveys.

Since Local Voices commenced South32 Worsley Alumina has contributed over A$7,100 to 16 community groups across our regions.

You can nominate your local community group to be listed to receive rewards here.