This programme aims to provide 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, and improve facilities and the sustainability of men's sheds across Australia.
For the purposes of this programme, a 'men's shed' can be a purpose built facility, a multipurpose community or private building or shared space used on a regular basis for the purposes of a men's shed.
There are five categories of funding available:
1. Category 1: Health and wellbeing and events
- Aims to support requests to plan and deliver, or broadly participate in, an event within the region with a strong health focus, which may also include some Men's Shed operational topics.
- Up to $8,000 are available.
2. Category 2: Shed improvements
- Aims to fund improvements, modifications and refurbishment.
- Up to $8,000 are available.
3. Category 3: Tools and equipment
- Aims to provide financial support to either:
- New Men's Sheds (less than two years old)
- Men's Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding
- Men's Sheds that have not received funding in the past six rounds (rounds 22-27)
- Up to $5,000 are available.
4. Category 4: Mental health, wellbeing and events
- Aims to fund events with a strong mental health focus, which may also include some Men's Shed operational topics.
- Up to $8,000 are available.
5. Category 5: Automated External Defibrillators
- Aims to fund purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator, where either:
- The Shed does not currently have a working defibrillator on its premises
- It has a defibrillator that was purchased prior to 2018 (hence is older than six years)
- Up to $2,250 are available.
- Applicants that currently have a defibrillator can also apply for replacement batteries and pads that are not under warranty.
A total funding pool of $1 million (excluding GST) in the 2024-25 financial year - two funding rounds each allocated $500,000 (excluding GST).
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. No requirement to provide donor workout copy. Purchase of defibrillators under category 5 may be applied for in addition to funding under categories 1 to 4.
Round 28 closing dates are:
- Categories 1 to 4: 23 August 2024
- Category 5: 6 September 2024
Eligible activities must:
- Address the health and well-being of the shed members.
- Support health improvements for shed members.
- Deliver appropriate activities and programmes.
- Improve facilities and the sustainability of Men's Sheds across Australia.
Priorities for Round 28 include:
- Defibrillators and associated training for eligible sheds providing necessary evidence.
- Men's Sheds that provide services in areas of greatest need, in particular to individuals and/or communities experiencing levels of disadvantage.
- Applicants who have not received previous NSDP funding and can demonstrate need of, and engagement with the priority groups, noting:
- Applicants who have previously received funding are still eligible to apply.
- Applicants will be required to list all prior funding received and this will form part of the considerations by the Evaluation Panel.
Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible activities/costs for each category.
Eligible applicants include all men's sheds registered as a legal entity in Australia. Men's sheds that are not a registered legal entity can have an overseeing sponsor body act on their behalf and submit an application.
Applicants who have previously received funding under the NSDP are eligible to apply and will be required to list all prior funding received both from the NSDP and other government funding.
Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.
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Building a new shed/facility is not supported under this programme.
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Funds to support a designated co-ordinator or organisational office bearer expenses.
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Utility expenses such as electricity, telephone, internet etc.
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The purchase, leasing, and associated maintenance of vehicles.
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Organisational expenses, including for sponsoring bodies, other than for those expenses incurred directly by the Men’s Shed project.
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Sponsoring bodies' staff training expenses.
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Organisational staff expenses.
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Requests to apply an administration fee to grants (by sponsoring bodies).
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Individual projects requiring ongoing funding.
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The purchase of land.
Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of restrictions.