National Shed Development Programme (NSDP)

The NSDP is a competitive grants programme and applications are open to all Men’s Sheds across Australia regardless of location or AMSA membership.

The NSDP provides direct financial assistance to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members within the shed environment; support health education for shed members, deliver appropriate activities and programmes, improve facilities and the sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.

To reflect Government policy, priority is given to:
- Those Sheds in areas of greatest need e.g. regional, rural and remote and those that engage and meet the needs of members from the designated Priority Groups
- An application can evidence impact on the applicant Shed and/or members of the Shed by a 2025-26 natural disaster (e.g. flood, storm, bushfire).
- Category 3. Priority for funding under Category 3 will be given to: New Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old); Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding; Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding in the past six rounds- (rounds 26-31).

Individual Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following five funding categories:
- Category 1 Health, Wellbeing and Events, $8,000 maximum. Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or broadly participate in, an event within their region with a strong health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics
- Category 2 Shed Improvements, $8,000 maximum. Premises occupied by the Men’s Shed are eligible for funding to undertake improvements, modifications and refurbishment. PLEASE NOTE: the building of a new Men’s Shed is not supported under this Programme
- Category 3 Tools and Equipment, $5,000 maximum. The priority for funding under Category 3 is providing financial support to either a) new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old), b) Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding or c) Men’s Sheds that have not received funding in the past six rounds. Tools and equipment are generally aimed at supporting interaction and activities within sheds
- Category 4 Mental Health, Wellbeing and Events, $8,000 maximum. Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or support attendance at, an event with a strong mental health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics
- Category 5 Automated External Defibrillators, $2,250 maximum (see other listing). Men’s Sheds are eligible for funding to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator, where either: the Shed does not currently have a working defibrillator on its premises; or it has a defibrillator that was purchased prior to 2016 (hence is older than 6 years). Applicants that currently have a defibrillator can also apply for replacement batteries and pads that are not under warranty.

The 12 Priority Groups for whom Men's Sheds provide activities:
- Males not in work
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males
- Socially disadvantaged
- Isolated males
- Males with a disability
- Males with a mental illness (e.g. depression)
- Migrant males
- Males living in rural and remote areas
- Defence veterans
- Males suffering alcohol abuse
- Males suffering drug abuse
- Males who need support due to relationship issues.

Applicants can apply for funding under each Category, however, the total funding to each successful applicant for categories 1 to 4 will not exceed $10,000.

Purchase of defibrillators under category 5 may be applied for in addition to funding under categories 1 to 4.

Makes sure that all Men’s Sheds in Australia have access to a wide range of resources and support for their particular shed.

Who can apply?
- All Men’s Sheds regardless of their location or membership of AMSA
- All Men’s Sheds registered as a legal entity
- Men’s Sheds that are not a registered legal entity can have an overseeing sponsor body act on their behalf and submit an application.

Note:
- Cat 1-4 closes Friday, 21 August 2026
- Cat 5 closes Friday, 4 Sept 2026 (see other listing).