Australian sporting clubs consistently face the challenge of maintaining and improving their facilities. Whether it’s upgrading an outdated clubhouse, modernising changing rooms, or enhancing playing surfaces, the need for investment is ongoing. Not only this, but navigating the various funding pathways available can add an extra layer of complexity to an already demanding task. 

As a trusted hub of funding information for clubs, schools, and athletes around Australia, at the Australian Sports Foundation, we want to ensure that everyone can access the information they need to help their teams thrive. This guide is designed to clarify that process, outlining key funding sources available at federal, state or territory, and local government levels across Australia. Our goal is to provide a practical resource to help your club identify and pursue the financial support needed for your facility development projects.

Why Investment Matters

Along with securing sporting grants to boost participation, investing in new additions and upgrades to sporting facilities yields significant benefits that extend well beyond the immediate playing environment. 

Increased Participation and Inclusivity  
Upgrades, such as the creation of dedicated female-friendly changing rooms or improved accessibility, directly support greater participation across all ages and abilities. This ensures facilities are welcoming and functional for diverse user groups.  

Enhanced Safety and Compliance 
Addressing wear and tear, improving lighting, or upgrading infrastructure contributes to improved safety and ensures facilities meet current standards and regulations.  

Strengthened Community Engagement 
Modern, well-maintained facilities often become more active community hubs, attracting more users and fostering local engagement.  

Club Growth and Sustainability 
Improved facilities can attract new members, support higher-level competition, and contribute to the long-term viability and growth of your club. 

Future-Proofing 
Strategic upgrades allow your club to adapt to evolving community needs and sporting trends, ensuring the facility remains a valuable asset for years to come.  

Understanding the Funding Available in Australia

Successfully funding a facility project typically involves a strategic, multi-tiered approach. In Australia, financial support for sporting infrastructure is available from various levels of government, non-government, and council or community organisations. These each have different focuses and roles, so understanding these funding streams is crucial when deciding what to apply for, and how to apply.  

Federal Government 
National programs and initiatives often focus on broad, strategic goals, such as increasing national participation rates in sport, or supporting significant infrastructure projects with large-scale benefits.  

State & Territory Governments 
These are generally the largest direct funders of community sport infrastructure within their localities. Their programs often align with state-specific priorities related to health, active recreation, and regional development.  

Local Government and Councils  
Local councils are often the first point of contact for clubs. They provide a range of support, including smaller grants, assistance with planning approvals, and, critically, advocacy for larger state or federal applications.  

Other Non-Government Sources 
This includes philanthropic foundations, corporate sponsorship opportunities, and the vital role of your own club’s fundraising initiatives and community contributions.  

The most effective projects often combine funding from multiple sources, demonstrating strong community backing and a clear alignment with the objectives of the various funding bodies. Let’s now explore these key funding avenues in more detail.  

Federal Government Funding

At a national level, the Australian Government provides various avenues of support for sports and recreation, which can be critical for large-scale facility developments or projects with broad community benefits. While specific grant programs can vary in their availability and focus from year to year, understanding the key federal agencies and platforms is essential for any club or organisation seeking significant investment.

Sport Australia (Australian Sports Commission)

Sport Australia is the Australian Government’s leading agency for sport. Their mandate is to get more Australians participating in sport and to support high-performance athletes. While much of their direct funding is often designated towards pre-determined causes, they do have programs and resources that can benefit local facility development.  

We recommend keeping a close eye on Sport Australia’s official channels for specific funding rounds that may open up, particularly those aimed at community participation or targeted infrastructure development. Historically, programs supporting women and girls in sport, or broad participation initiatives, have sometimes included a facilities component.  

GrantConnect

GrantConnect is the Australian Government’s centralised online system for all Commonwealth grants. Here you can find:  

• Current Grant Opportunities: All open Commonwealth grant opportunities are published here.
• Forecast Opportunities: Information on grants expected to open in the future.
• Grant Outcomes: Details of grants that have been awarded, which can provide insights into successful project types and recipients.
• Grant Guidelines: Comprehensive guidelines for each grant program.

State and Territory Government Funding

While federal funding offers a range of funding opportunities for sports facilities and upgrades, State and Territory Governments are often the most impactful providers of grants for community sport infrastructure. Each state and territory have their own specific funding programs, priorities, and application cycles, tailored to the unique needs of their regions and communities.  

To effectively navigate this, it’s crucial to identify the relevant government department or agency in your state or territory and regularly check their grants and funding pages. Below is a list of the primary government bodies responsible for sport and recreation funding in each Australian state and territory, along with direct links to their grants information.  

New South Wales

Office of Sport
The NSW Office of Sport is the lead agency for sport in New South Wales. They have various grant programs aimed at developing sport and recreation facilities and increasing participation: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants 

Victoria

Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV)
SRV is the Victorian Government’s lead agency for sport and recreation. They provide funding for community sport infrastructure projects, including programs focused on facility upgrades and new developments: https://sport.vic.gov.au/funding 

For Victorians, VIC Sport is another potential source of funding, along with Regional Sports Victoria for those in rural locations.  

Queensland

Sport and Recreation (Department of Tourism and Sport)  
The Queensland Government’s Sport and Recreation department offers funding programs to support clubs and organisations in developing facilities, increasing participation, and enhancing sporting opportunities across the state: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/sport/funding-grants 

Western Australia

Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) 
The DLGSC is the primary agency for sport and recreation in Western Australia. They manage various grant programs aimed at supporting community sporting infrastructure and participation initiatives throughout the state: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/funding/sport-and-recreation-grants 

South Australia

Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) 
The ORSR is the South Australian Government’s agency responsible for recreation, sport, and racing. They provide funding opportunities to support facility development, club sustainability, and participation growth across South Australia: https://www.orsr.sa.gov.au/grants-and-funding 

Tasmania

Sport and Recreation Tasmania (Department of Communities Tasmania) 
Sport and Recreation Tasmania, part of the Department of Communities, supports sporting organisations and facility development through various grant programs aimed at enhancing community participation and healthy lifestyles in the state: https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/grants-and-funding 

Australian Capital Territory

Sport and Recreation (Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) 
The ACT Government’s Sport and Recreation unit provides funding and support for local clubs and organisations to develop facilities and promote active living: https://www.act.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/grants-and-programs 

Northern Territory

Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (Sport and Recreation) 
The NT Government’s Sport and Recreation division offers grants to support the development of sport and active recreation facilities, programs, and events across the Northern Territory’s diverse communities: https://tfhc.nt.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/grants-and-funding 

Local Government or Council Support

For many community sporting clubs, your local council is often your most accessible and crucial partner in facility development. While councils may not always offer the large-scale infrastructure grants seen at federal or state levels, their support is invaluable and often a prerequisite for securing bigger funding.  

How to Find Local Council Opportunities

Given the vast number of local government areas across Australia, the most effective approach is to identify your local council, navigate to their online Grants, Community, Sport and Recreation, or Infrastructure sections, and reach out to the relevant team. They can advise on available grants, partnership opportunities, and how your project fits into local plans.  

Building a strong working relationship with your local council is often the foundational step in securing broader funding for your sporting facility.  

Community-Backed Projects

Some councils may look for evidence that clubs have made a genuine effort to raise funds independently before offering their own support. In the case of the Alexandra Park Pavilion rebuild, community fundraising was a critical part of the equation. To support the project, Mornington Football and Netball Club raised over $41,000 with the Australian Sports Foundation, which not only extended the impact of their project but also helped demonstrate strong local backing, an important factor in securing council and government investment. 

Expanding Your Search for Funding

Beyond government grants, several other avenues can provide the financial support you need for your sporting facility projects. A comprehensive funding strategy often involves a mix of these sources to secure the total capital required.  

National and State Sporting Organisations (NSOs and SSOs)

Many National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) and their corresponding State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) have their own dedicated facility development programs or can offer support in other ways. These organisations understand the specific infrastructure needs of their sport and often work directly with clubs.  

Philanthropic Foundations

A growing number of philanthropic foundations and charitable trusts in Australia focus on community development, health and wellbeing, or youth engagement, all of which can encompass sports facility projects. These foundations often have specific eligibility criteria and focus areas.  

Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships

While often associated with individual or team sponsorship, businesses sometimes engage in larger corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that can include facility upgrades. Building long-term relationships with local or national businesses can sometimes lead to significant contributions.  

Fundraising with the Australian Sports Foundation

The ASF fundraising platform is a truly powerful tool for any Australian sporting club seeking to fund facility upgrades. While not a grant-making body in the traditional sense, ASF’s unique status as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) under Australian tax law allows you to significantly boost your fundraising efforts, with something it for the donor too.  

Your Pathway to Better Facilities

Securing funding for your sporting facility’s new additions and upgrades is a big undertaking, but it’s a goal well within reach with a strategic, informed, and persistent approach. From understanding the national, state, and local funding landscapes to maximising community fundraising with the help of platforms like the Australian Sports Foundation, there are ample resources out there.  

Ready to take the next step? Start by exploring the funding links relevant to your location and project, connect with your local council, and consider how a comprehensive strategy can turn your facility aspirations into a reality. Then, get to work on your ASF fundraising campaign