Grants to support and address member health and wellbeing, support health education, deliver relevant activities, and improve facilities and sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.
On this page you will find
What is the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP)?
The National Shed Development Programme (NSDP) aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of men through the provision of financial assistance to Men’s Sheds across Australia.
These sheds offer a safe and friendly environment where men can gather, work on meaningful projects, and engage in activities that promote health and wellbeing.
National Shed Development Programme level of support
The NSDP provides funding across five categories with specific limits:
- Category One – Health, Wellbeing and Events: Up to $8,000
- Category Two – Shed Improvements: Up to $8,000
- Category Three – Tools and Equipment: Up to $5,000
- Category Four – Mental Health, Wellbeing and Events: Up to $8,000
- Category Five – Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): Up to $2,250
Total Funding Cap
Applicants may apply across multiple categories; however:
- The total funding across Categories 1–4 cannot exceed $10,000 per round
- Category 5 (Defibrillators) is exempt from the $10,000 cap
Co-Contribution
- There is no co-contribution requirement for any funding category under the NSDP.
Funding is competitive and subject to available allocation each round.
National Shed Development Programme important dates
- Categories 1–4 Close: Friday, 21 August 2026
- Category 5 (Defibrillators) Close: Friday, 4 September 2026
- Successful applicants are expected to be announced from December 2026.
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
National Shed Development Programme objectives and priorities
The National Shed Development Programme aims to:
- Improve the health and wellbeing of Men’s Shed members.
- Support health education and mental wellbeing initiatives.
- Deliver activities and programmes that strengthen Men’s Shed communities.
- Improve facilities, equipment and the long-term sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.
Priority will generally be given to:
- Men’s Sheds located in areas experiencing social or economic disadvantage.
- Applications demonstrating strong engagement with priority population groups.
- Applications that can demonstrate impacts from the 2025–26 natural disasters, including floods, storms or bushfires.
- Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding (although previous recipients remain eligible to apply).
- Category 3 applications from new Men’s Sheds (less than two years old), Men’s Sheds that have never received NSDP funding, or those that have not received Category 3 funding during Rounds 26–31.
Projects and expenditure eligible for National Shed Development Programme support
Individual Men’s Sheds can apply across one or more of the following funding categories.
Category One – Health, Wellbeing and Events (Up to $8,000)
Funding may be used for:
- Regional health and wellbeing events
- Health guest speakers and information sessions
- First aid kits, eye wash systems and safety equipment
- Chemical storage cabinets and fire safety equipment
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Test and tag equipment
- Fitness equipment
- Computer and IT equipment supporting member participation
- First Aid training
- Defibrillator training
- Health and wellness workshops
- Food safety and nutrition training
- Health education resources and manuals
Category Two – Shed Improvements (Up to $8,000)
Funding may support improvements including:
- Health and safety upgrades
- Dust extraction systems and air filtration
- Disability access improvements
- Accessible toilets and showers
- Electrical and lighting upgrades
- Plumbing improvements
- Kitchen upgrades
- Construction of food-growing garden beds
- Storage containers
- Enclosing outdoor work or storage areas
- Labour and materials supporting health and safety improvements
Priority is generally given to improvements that clearly demonstrate health and safety benefits.
Category Three – Tools and Equipment (Up to $5,000)
Funding may support:
- Woodworking, metalworking, gardening and craft equipment
- Air compressors and power tools
- Office equipment and computers
- Equipment that attracts new members
- Safety upgrades and replacement machinery
- Equipment supporting Men’s Shed activities
Priority is given to:
- New Men’s Sheds (less than two years old)
- Men’s Sheds that have never received NSDP funding
- Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding during Rounds 26–31.
Category Four – Mental Health, Wellbeing and Events (Up to $8,000)
Funding may be used for:
- Mental health events
- Mental Health First Aid training
- Mental health workshops
- Meditation and mindfulness programmes
- Yoga and wellbeing activities
- Mental health guest speakers
- Mental health resources and educational materials
- Computer and IT training supporting member wellbeing
- Equipment supporting mental health activities
Category Five – Automated External Defibrillators (Up to $2,250)
Funding is available for:
- Purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Replacement batteries and pads that are no longer under warranty
Applicants may apply where:
- The Men’s Shed does not currently have a working AED; or
- The existing AED was purchased before July 2020 (more than six years old).
Category 5 applications use a separate application form and may be submitted until 4 September 2026.
Other National Shed Development Programme important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for National Shed Development Programme support
Eligible applicants include:
- Incorporated Men’s Sheds across Australia
- AMSA members and non-members
- Men’s Sheds applying through an eligible incorporated auspice organisation
- Community organisations applying on behalf of an existing Men’s Shed under a formal Memorandum of Understanding
- Previous NSDP recipients, provided all previous funding is disclosed within the application.
National Shed Development Programme assessment criteria
Applications are assessed on their:
- Eligibility under the relevant funding category
- Demonstrated community need
- Health, wellbeing or mental health benefits
- Value for money
- Organisational governance and project management capability
- Financial management and risk controls
- Engagement with priority population groups
- Evidence supporting the proposed activities
- Previous government funding history where applicable
- Completeness of the application and supporting documentation.
How do I get the National Shed Development Programme?
To maximise your chances of success, applicants should:
- Demonstrate a clear community need for the project.
- Show strong health, wellbeing or mental health outcomes.
- Explain how the project will benefit Men’s Shed members.
- Demonstrate value for money.
- Show engagement with priority population groups where applicable.
- Provide competitive supplier quotes.
- Include all required approvals and supporting documents.
- Demonstrate sound governance and project management capability.
- Submit a complete application before the closing date.
Information to prepare for the National Shed Development Programme application
Applicants should prepare:
- A completed application form.
- Supplier quotes (two where possible).
- Evidence of Men’s Shed status (for non-AMSA members).
- Written owner permission for building works where required.
- Site plans and council approvals for refurbishment projects where applicable.
- A Memorandum of Understanding if applying through an auspice organisation.
- Current insurance details.
- Previous government funding history.
- Project budget and supporting cost estimates.
- Information demonstrating community need and expected outcomes.
Applying for the National Shed Development Programme
Applications must be completed using the official National Shed Development Programme application form available from the Australian Men’s Shed Association.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
National Shed Development Programme resources
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