Open Call for Regional All Abilities Participation Grants (Australia)

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants 2025–26 provide grants of up to $25,000 to support inclusive sport and active recreation opportunities for people with disability across regional and rural Victoria. The program funds projects that remove participation barriers, strengthen organisational capacity, promote disability leadership, and improve access to inclusive sport and recreation in alignment with Active Victoria 2022–2026.

What are the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants?

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants are designed to help not-for-profit organisations deliver inclusive sport and active recreation opportunities for people with disability throughout regional and rural Victoria.

The program supports projects that improve accessibility, remove participation barriers, strengthen community organisations, and create more opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport, physical activity, and recreation. It also encourages organisations to involve people with disability in planning, leadership, and decision-making to ensure programs are inclusive and community-led.

Program Objectives

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants aim to:

Increase participation in sport and active recreation for people with disability.
Remove physical, financial, and social barriers to participation.
Strengthen the capability of community sport and recreation organisations.
Build inclusive workplaces through volunteer and paid workforce development.
Improve employment and leadership opportunities for people with disability.
Support disability-led initiatives and inclusive decision-making.
Deliver projects that align with the strategic priorities of Active Victoria 2022–2026.

2025–26 Funding Priorities

The program gives priority to projects that:

Are led by people with disability or actively involve them in planning and decision-making.
Address intersectionality by supporting individuals who face multiple barriers to participation.
Increase participation among underrepresented groups, including:
- Women and girls.
- First Peoples.
- Culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
- LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Older adults.
Support organisations located in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage.
Create sustainable and long-term inclusive sport and recreation opportunities.

Funding Amount

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $25,000.

Funding is available through three grant categories designed to support different aspects of inclusive sport and recreation.

Grant Categories

Equipment and Travel

This category supports projects that remove barriers to participation by providing essential equipment and travel assistance.

Eligible activities may include:

Inclusive sporting equipment.
Assistive technology.
Adaptive uniforms.
Environmental accessibility aids.
Travel assistance for participants with disability.
Travel support for officials with disability.
Travel assistance for support staff.

Inclusion Workforce

This category helps organisations strengthen their ability to deliver inclusive programs through workforce development.

Funding may support:

Employment of specialised inclusion staff.
Paid employment opportunities for people with disability.
Volunteer positions for people with disability.
Mentoring and professional development.
Workforce retention initiatives.
Capacity-building for staff and volunteers.

Programs and Disability-led Initiatives

This category supports projects that expand inclusive participation in sport and recreation.

Eligible initiatives may include:

Ongoing sport programs for people with disability.
Active recreation activities.
Community participation initiatives.
Disability-led projects.
Programs that involve people with disability in planning, governance, and decision-making.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

Be a not-for-profit, non-government organisation.
Be registered as one of the following:
- Incorporated Association with an IAN number.
- Company Limited by Guarantee with an ACN number.
- Indigenous Corporation with an ICN number.
Currently deliver sport, active recreation, or physical activity programs.
Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) or provide a Statement by Supplier – Not Quoting an ABN form where applicable.

Eligible Project Locations

Projects must be delivered within one of Victoria’s 48 regional or rural local government areas.

Eligible regions include:

Barwon South West
Gippsland
Grampians
Hume
Loddon Mallee

Projects delivered outside the eligible regional and rural council areas will not be considered.

Why This Grant Matters

People with disability often experience barriers that limit access to sport, recreation, and physical activity. This grant program helps organisations create more inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to participate, regardless of ability.

By investing in accessible equipment, workforce development, and disability-led programs, the initiative contributes to healthier communities, stronger local organisations, and greater social inclusion. It also supports long-term improvements in accessibility and leadership opportunities for people with disability across regional Victoria.

How to Apply

Eligible organisations should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation satisfies the registration requirements and currently delivers eligible sport, recreation, or physical activity programs.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Grant Category

Choose the category that best matches your proposed project:

Equipment and Travel
Inclusion Workforce
Programs and Disability-led Initiatives

Step 3: Develop Your Project

Design a project that addresses participation barriers, promotes inclusion, and aligns with the program objectives and funding priorities.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Prepare all required documents, including:

Organisation registration details.
ABN or Statement by Supplier form.
Project budget.
Project timeline.
Description of proposed activities.
Evidence of community need.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit the application before the closing date in accordance with the program guidelines.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

Demonstrating a clear community need.
Involving people with disability in project planning and leadership.
Explaining how the project removes participation barriers.
Showing long-term community benefits.
Providing a realistic budget and implementation plan.
Building partnerships with local organisations where appropriate.
Clearly aligning the project with the priorities of Active Victoria 2022–2026.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application mistakes:

Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
Selecting an unsuitable grant category.
Providing incomplete documentation.
Failing to demonstrate community impact.
Submitting unrealistic budgets or timelines.
Excluding people with disability from project planning and decision-making.
Proposing projects outside eligible regional or rural areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants?

Eligible applicants are not-for-profit, non-government organisations that meet the required registration criteria and currently deliver sport, active recreation, or physical activity programs.

How much funding is available?

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $25,000.

What types of projects can receive funding?

Funding is available for projects under three categories: Equipment and Travel, Inclusion Workforce, and Programs and Disability-led Initiatives.

Where must funded projects be delivered?

Projects must be delivered within one of Victoria’s 48 eligible regional or rural council areas, including Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, and Loddon Mallee.

Can funding be used to purchase assistive equipment?

Yes. The Equipment and Travel category supports inclusive equipment, assistive technology, adaptive uniforms, environmental aids, and eligible travel assistance.

What are the key priorities for the 2025–26 funding round?

Priority is given to projects that involve people with disability in leadership and decision-making, support underrepresented groups, address intersectionality, and strengthen organisations operating in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage.

Why is this grant important?

The program helps remove barriers to participation, improve accessibility, strengthen inclusive organisations, create employment opportunities for people with disability, and expand inclusive sport and recreation opportunities across regional and rural Victoria.

Conclusion

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants 2025–26 provide valuable financial support for organisations committed to making sport and active recreation more accessible and inclusive for people with disability across regional and rural Victoria. Through funding for accessible equipment, workforce development, and disability-led initiatives, the program promotes greater participation, stronger community organisations, and long-term inclusion.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations should carefully identify the most suitable funding category, develop projects that address community needs, and demonstrate meaningful outcomes for people with disability. Well-planned applications that align with the program’s priorities and support sustainable inclusion will be well positioned to maximise the benefits of this funding opportunity.