Sporting Schools Grants

Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children's participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities.

Sporting Schools offers grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to Years 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life.

Eligible schools in metropolitan (major cities) and regional areas can apply for a Sporting Schools grant each term. School locations are as determined by the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) category classification.

A separate grant program, Remote Sporting Schools, will be offered from 2026 for schools in remote and very remote areas of Australia.

Sporting Schools has partnered with more than 40 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs) to facilitate delivery of Sporting Schools programs. The objectives of Sporting Schools are to:

- engage primary school students in free, high-quality sport programs at school
- engage secondary school students (Years 7-8) in free, high-quality sport programs at school, particularly inactive students, girls, and students attending schools in disadvantaged areas
- establish partnerships between sporting organisations and schools to promote involvement in sport outside of school
- develop the capability of schools and teachers to provide students with positive sport experiences
- build the capability of coaches and the sport workforce support life-long involvement in sport and physical activity to enhance health and wellbeing.

The Sporting Schools program aligns to the Play Well Sport Participation Strategy through Priority area 2, embedding a culture of sport in and around schools to drive lifelong involvement in sport.

Helps primary schools and secondary schools in relation to year 7 and 8 students deliver sport-based activities before, during or after school hours.