Funding opportunities of up to $1 million to support the upgrade, design, planning and construction of Surf Life Saving Club facilities throughout New South Wales.
On this page you will find
What is the Surf Club Facility Program (SCFP)?
The NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program provides funding to support the upgrade, design, planning and construction of Surf Life Saving Club facilities throughout New South Wales.
The program aims to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of surf club facilities while increasing participation in Surf Life Saving and supporting safer beaches and stronger local communities.
A total of $5,458,000 is available across three funding categories.
- Category 1 – Upgrade Projects (off the shelf purchase)
- Category 2 – Facility Design and Planning Projects
- Category 3 – Construction Projects
Surf Club Facility Program level of support
Funding Amount
Category 1 – Upgrade Projects (Off-the-shelf purchases)
- Minimum grant: $15,000
- Maximum grant: $100,000
Category 2 – Facility Design and Planning Projects
- Grants of up to $100,000
Category 3 – Construction Projects
- Grants of up to $1,000,000
Co-contribution
Category 1
- No co-contribution required.
- Applicants are encouraged to contribute financially where possible.
Category 2
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Minimum 30% cash co-contribution of the total project cost.
- Minimum 20% contingency funding in addition to the total project cost.
Category 3
Applicants are expected to provide:
- Minimum 30% cash co-contribution of the total project cost.
- Minimum 20% contingency funding in addition to the total project cost.
Financial hardship
- Applicants unable to meet the required co-contribution and contingency may request a financial hardship exemption. Applications are assessed individually and priority may be given where projects are located in disadvantaged areas or communities recovering from significant natural disasters.
- Applicants able to provide a partial contribution despite hardship may receive a more favourable assessment.
Surf Club Facility Program important dates
- Category 1: This stream is closed
- Category 2 & 3 closes: 31 August 2026
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Surf Club Facility Program objectives
The program aims to:
- Improve Surf Life Saving facilities through safe, adaptable, inclusive and accessible design.
- Improve the environmental sustainability of surf clubs.
- Improve the financial sustainability of surf clubs.
- Support projects from planning through to construction.
- Increase community use of Surf Life Saving facilities.
It also aims to remove barriers to participation for:
- women and girls
- people with disability
- First Nations peoples
- culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- LGBTQIA+ communities.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Surf Club Facility Program support
Category 1 – Upgrade Projects
Examples include:
- Solar panels and batteries.
- Rainwater tanks.
- LED lighting.
- Wi-Fi installation.
- CCTV systems.
- Keyless entry.
- Smart technology improving safety and security.
- Storage upgrades.
- Boat and board storage.
- Bushfire protection measures.
- Roller doors.
- Beach safety improvements.
- Lifeguard surveillance upgrades.
- Nipper training improvements.
- Beach access improvements for rescue and patrol vehicles.
Category 2 – Facility Design and Planning
Funding may support:
- Architectural design.
- Schematic designs.
- Development Application documentation.
- Complying Development Certificate documentation.
- Quantity Surveyor reports.
- Geotechnical reports.
- Sustainability reports.
- Engineering assessments.
- Environmental impact assessments.
- Universal Design audits.
- Community consultation.
- Business cases.
- Feasibility studies.
- Development of concept options.
Category 3 – Construction Projects
Examples include:
- Construction of new surf club facilities.
- Major building upgrades.
- First aid rooms.
- Patrol rooms.
- Kitchens.
- Club rooms.
- Function rooms.
- Kiosks.
- Universal change rooms.
- Parent and child change facilities.
- Officials’ facilities.
- Modular buildings.
- Rescue storage.
- Beach access mats.
- Other capital works associated with the overall facility upgrade.
Ineligible expenditure
Funding cannot be used for:
- Purchase or lease of land.
- Facilities not primarily used for Surf Life Saving.
- Private or commercial developments unrelated to Surf Life Saving.
- Master planning across multiple facilities.
- Grant application preparation costs.
- Feasibility and business case costs (except Category 2).
- Projects not complying with Australian Standards.
- Operational expenses.
- Insurance costs.
- General maintenance.
- Minor repairs.
- Painting as the primary project.
- Repairs covered by insurance.
- Retrospective funding.
- Portable rescue or training equipment.
- Surfboards.
- IRBs.
- Stopwatches.
- Flagpoles.
- Office equipment.
- Computers.
- Printers.
- Loose furniture (unless forming part of a Category 3 fit-out).
- Projects already funded by the NSW Government unless significant new scope is demonstrated.
Other Surf Club Facility Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Surf Club Facility Program support
Eligible applicants include:
- Surf Life Saving Clubs located in NSW.
- Surf Life Saving NSW Branches (considered after club applications if funding remains).
Partnership applications involving councils or landowners are encouraged.
Ineligible applicants
- Individuals.
- Organisations not affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW.
- Local Government Authorities applying independently.
- Organisations that have not joined the National Redress Scheme where required.
Surf Club Facility Program assessment criteria
Criterion 1 – Strategic justification (40%)
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with the objectives of the program.
- A strong community need.
- Evidence that the project addresses an identified gap or priority.
- Why the project is urgent.
- Benefits for Surf Life Saving and the wider community.
Criterion 2 – Project scope and inclusive design (20%)
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A clearly defined project scope.
- High-quality project planning.
- Inclusive and universal design principles.
- Flexible and adaptable design.
- Environmentally sustainable design.
- Financial sustainability.
- Climate resilience.
- Innovative technologies.
- Improved health and safety outcomes.
Criterion 3 – Project affordability, value for money and deliverability (40%)
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Landowner consent.
- Development approval or exemption where required.
- A realistic and itemised budget.
- Strong value for money.
- Evidence supporting project costs.
- Confirmed funding contributions.
- A practical delivery schedule.
- Capacity to complete the project within required timeframes.
- Good management of previous Office of Sport grants (where applicable).
- Budgets free from ineligible expenditure.
How do I get the Surf Club Facility Program support?
Successful applicants will typically demonstrate:
- A project that strongly aligns with the program objectives.
- A genuine community need.
- Inclusive, accessible and future-focused facility design.
- Strong environmental and financial sustainability outcomes.
- Excellent value for money.
- Realistic and well-supported project costs.
- Confirmed funding contributions where required.
- Strong project planning and delivery capability.
- Evidence of stakeholder and community support.
- Appropriate landowner approvals.
- Development approvals where applicable.
- Comprehensive supporting documentation.
- A project that is ready to commence within required timeframes.
Information to prepare for the Surf Club Facility Program support
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed SmartyGrants application.
- Project budget.
- Itemised quotations.
- Quantity Surveyor reports where applicable.
- Project plan.
- Site plans.
- Photos of the existing facility.
- Letters of support.
- Evidence of community consultation.
- Landowner consent.
- Development approvals or exemptions.
- Financial co-contribution evidence.
- Contingency funding evidence.
- Public Liability Insurance.
- Concept designs.
- Sustainability evidence where relevant.
- Financial hardship application (if required).
Applying for the Surf Club Facility Program support
Applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants online portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Surf Club Facility Program resources
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