Grassroots to Gold

The Grassroots to Gold program aims to support eligible young athletes, coaches and officials to progress on a development pathway by providing financial assistance to help alleviate the costs associated with attending state, national and international events.

The objective is to provide financial assistance to young Queenslanders aged 10–18 years selected to attend state, national and international level events to enhance development pathways.

Eligible athletes, coaches and officials may apply for funding assistance for up to two events each financial year across any event tiers. Funding can be applied for as soon as they, or their team, have officially been selected to attend the event, up until six months after the event start date.

The following subsidy amounts are available (events commencing on or after 1 July 2026):

- State or State School event: $500

- National or National School event: $600

- International event: $800.

Applicants eligible to apply for support are those who, at time of application:

- Have been selected for or have attended to compete, coach or officiate at an eligible Queensland State, Queensland Representative State School, Australian National, Australian National School or International event occurring on or after 1 July 2026

- Have their selection/attendance at the event confirmed by the relevant event selector or event organiser for their sport or activity

- Are a current resident of Queensland

- Have not already been approved (or have submitted an application that is pending approval) under this program for attendance at two events with event start dates within the same financial year

- Are at least 10 years of age and under the age of 19 years on the start date of the event

- Are attending an event which is located at least 125 kilometres road distance (one-way) from their place of residence.

Eligible Events

Eligible events under the subsidy:

- Must be a Queensland State Championship, Queensland State School Championship, Australian National Championship, Australian National School Championship, or International Championship

- Must require participants to have undergone a selection/qualification process to attend or provide a pathway for athletes

- Each event organiser or selector is allowed a maximum of one event per tier (state, national and international), per age group, division and discipline, each financial year

- Must be for a sport or activity that is considered eligible by the department.

Event nominations can only be provided by the relevant event organiser directly to the department. School events are submitted by Queensland Representative School Sport or School Sport Australia. All other events are submitted by the relevant State or National level sport or active recreation organisation.

Applications can be made from time of selection up until 6 months after the event start date.