About the Surf Club Facility Program
The NSW Government recognises the critical role Surf Life Saving Clubs have in local communities delivering on-beach safety, training and education and keeping people active and connected. The Surf Club Facility Program (the Program) is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to support the upgrade of local Surf Life Saving Clubs. The Program is in its eighth year, and since round one (2017/2018) the NSW Government has invested over $28 million in Surf Life Saving Clubs to create fit-for-purpose facilities in local communities to increase participation, access, and safety on our NSW beaches. In the 2023/24 Budget the NSW government announced an additional $5 million over four years to enhance the Program. The 2024/2025 round will continue to support the upgrade, expansion, and construction of new, safe and inclusive Surf Club facilities in NSW.
Key objectives
The Program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW to create new and upgraded inclusive and accessible facilities incorporating best practice design principles that:
- Reduce barriers to participation in sport and recreation for everyone but particularly for women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ people
- Increase the use of Surf Life Saving facilities by other community groups and/or the public
- Improve safety at Surf Life Saving facilities and the beaches they patrol
- Improve the financial and/or environmental sustainability of Surf Clubs.
The categories are defined by the total project cost of the scope of works for which you are applying.
Category 1 - Facility Improvements Projects - Projects with a total project cost less than $100,000
Provides grants from $30,000 up to $100,000 per project. Grant requests in this category do not require a co-contribution, however, organisations may contribute to the project, and this will be considered favourably during the merit assessment process.
Category 2 - Small-Medium Construction Projects - Projects with a total project cost from $100,000 up to $500,000
Provides grants from $30,000 up to $400,000 per project. Applications in this category require a financial co-contribution that is a minimum 25% of the grant amount requested.
Category 3 - Large Construction Projects - Projects with a total project cost of $500,000 or more
Provides grants from $30,000 up to $1,000,000 per project. Applications in this category require a financial co-contribution that is at least equal to, or greater than the grant amount requested.