Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $10,000 to $50,000
- Application opened: 20 October 2025
- Application closes: 17 November 2025, 1:00 pm
Program objective
The key objectives of the Program align to the Office of Sport Strategic Plan ‘Everyone Plays Here’, with the specific objectives to:
• Improve the quality and safety of existing shooting facilities across New South Wales.
• Remove 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 utilisation of existing shooting facilities.
This program is administered by Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding you must be a:
- NSW incorporated, community based not-for-profit shooting organisations (clubs and associations) that are approved by the NSW Firearms Registry.
- Shooting ranges in NSW approved and administered by the NSW Firearms Registry.
- NSW State Sporting Organisations relevant to the sport of shooting including NSW Amateur Pistol Association, NSW Clay Target Association and NSW Rifle Association.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applications must be limited to constructing new or enhancing existing shooting facilities and new or upgraded firearms equipment.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 March 2026 and the project must be completed by 31 March 2027.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The key objectives of the Program align to the Office of Sport Strategic Plan ‘Everyone Plays Here’, with the specific objectives to:
- Improve the quality and safety of existing shooting facilities across New South Wales.
- Remove 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 utilisation of existing shooting facilities.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible applicants
Ineligible applicants are any organisation types not listed in the ‘Eligible Applicants’ section, and include (but are not limited to): make the final determination on
- Individuals
- Schools, TAFEs, and Universities
- Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations Private enterprises (companies established under the Corporations Act 2001, incorporated associations established under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) or incorporated limited partnerships established under the Partnership Act 1892 (NSW).
- Government departments and agencies
- NSW Regional Academies of Sport
- Regional Joint Organisations of councils, the Lord Howe Island Board and the Unincorporated Far West groups.
- NSW Office of Sport recognised NSW State Sporting Organisations (including National Sporting Organisations where the state body is part of a unitary governance model) outside of the sport of shooting.
- Organisation named: (i) by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent not to join the Scheme; or (ii) in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Projects or components that do not meet the criteria outlined in the 'Eligible Projects' section are considered ineligible. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Costs for the purchase or lease of land/facility
- Costs associated with preparing and submitting the application under this Program
- Project administration costs and costs for the ongoing operation of the facility
- Costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages including feasibility studies, business cases and masterplans
- Costs for items that do not meet relevant Australian standards
- Related to administrative or operational expenditure which are normally the responsibility of businesses, state agencies or local councils
- Facilities where little or no public access is available
- On private land unless there is clear public benefit to the community’s interest in sport and active recreation and have documented consent from the landowner
- Projects related to buying or upgrading non fixed equipment (e.g., computers, including tablets, office goods, clothing and footwear, ride-on mowers and All-Terrain Vehicles)
- Office furniture, printers, photocopiers etc
- Medical equipment (e.g., defibrillators, first aid)
- Ancillary infrastructure e.g. car parks, car shelters/carports, driveways, roads, car shelters/carports or accommodation
- Retrospective funding, where projects have commenced construction or are completed prior to the execution of a funding agreement.
- Projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless significant new and additional project scope is identified
- General maintenance or replacement through normal wear and tear (e.g., painting, running costs and minor repairs to existing facilities)
- Repair of facilities where the damage can be covered by insurance
- For the building or upgrade of licensed areas and gaming areas
- Insurance of any type (player, public liability, general liability, etc)
Project budgets should not include any ineligible costs, and these will be removed by assessors if included, at the absolute discretion of the Office of Sport.
Example projects
Purchase or upgrade of fixed or non-fixed equipment
· Electronic target systems.
· Movable baffles.
· Bullet traps.
· Silhouettes and other targets.
· Purchased storage solutions (e.g., gun safes or cabinets). Note: these items must be compliant with applicable safety standards.
Storage, Safety & Security Enhancements
· Projects that improve the storage, security and safety capability of shooting clubs (e.g., extension or construction of storage rooms, bushfire protection measures, new security/access doors).
· Built storage facilities.
· CCTV monitoring.
· Ballistic curtains.
· Air lock style doors.
Digital Technology & Smart Infrastructure
· Digital technology uplift projects e.g., installation of WIFI / satellite connectivity hardware, keyless entry, increased automation, smart technologies.
Environmental Sustainability Initiatives
· Sustainable initiatives that reduce environmental and operational costs such as:
o LED or smart lighting.
o Solar infrastructure.
Inclusive & Accessible Amenities
· Provision of inclusive amenities exceeding Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance:
o Disability access (excluding car parking, car shelters/carports and accommodation).
o Unisex amenities & dedicated lead decontamination areas.
o Female-friendly change rooms and parent/child change spaces.
o Shaded areas or benches / seating.
Range & Facility Construction/Upgrades
· Construction or upgrades to:
o Ranges (e.g., stop butts, baffles, earth mounds)
o Clubhouses or sheds
o Pathways
o Ventilation systems
Portable / non-fixed items must be left locked up at the club and solely used for use of the club (not shared).
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Documents available on the Fund website to assist your application include:
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Step 1: Check your eligibility
- See Eligible Applicants section of these Guidelines to see which organisations can apply for funding
- If you are not eligible, you can partner with an eligible organisation, although they will need to be the applicant organisation and submit the application
Step 2: Understand the requirements
- Before you apply, please read these guidelines and related materials to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
- You can find the relevant information on this webpage.
Step 3: Prepare your application
- Gather your evidence including letters of support, funding commitments, development approvals/exemptions, images/plans, quotes, participation data etc.
- The Office of Sport recommends that applicants familiarise themselves with the online application form ahead of preparing the application and plan to submit ahead of the closing date to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
- To submit a complying application all mandatory fields must be completed, and mandatory support documents should be uploaded and submitted.
- Applying for a grant is a simple process using the SmartyGrants platform.
- SmartyGrants offers a tool, SmartyFile that allows organisations to collaborate with team members, pre-fill information into forms and manage, view, search and sort submissions across multiple funders in one spot. Applicants with an ABN can use this function.
- For questions relating to the grants program or for specific assistance with the online system, email the Office of Sport Grants Unit at infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au or call 13 13 02 during standard office hours.
Step 4: Submit your application
- Complete your application by filling in each of the sections.
- Upload all required supporting documentation.
- Submit your application before the closing date and time.
- The declaration section of the application should be approved by a person who has delegated authority to sign on behalf of the organisation e.g. Chairperson, President, Chief Executive Officer, General Manager, or authorised member of the Board or Committee of the applicant.
- Projects must be submitted through the SmartyGrants website to be considered eligible.
- Successful submissions will be issued with a SmartyGrants system generated acknowledgement email containing a PDF copy of the application which will confirm the time the application was submitted.
Late applications
- Late applications can only be made where an applicant has started an application in SmartyGrants prior to the closing date/time.
- If for some unforeseen reason you are not able to lodge your application on time, you must contact the Office of Sport at the earliest possible time and within one hour of the closing date/time.
- A late application will only be considered where its acceptance would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process. The final determination on whether a late application will be accepted will be made by the Grant Assessment Panel supported by an independent probity advisor.
Late supporting documentation
- If any document is not available prior to the closing date/time and you would like to submit this for consideration you must contact infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au to request late document submission and list the documents your request relates to.
- Late supporting documentation will only be accepted for applications already submitted in SmartyGrants before the closing date and time and will only be considered where its acceptance would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process.
- The final determination on whether a late supporting documentation will be accepted will be made by the Grant Assessment Panel supported by an independent probity advisor.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Sport
The Safe Shooting Program is administered by the Office of Sport in two stages:
1. Eligibility check
2. Merit assessment
Throughout the assessment process the Office of Sport may seek to clarify statements or information provided in the application at its sole discretion.
An independent probity advisor will oversee the grant assessment process and attend all Grant Assessment Panel meetings.
A Grant Assessment Panel will assess all eligible applications and make recommendations to the Minister for Sport.
The Minister for Sport will consider the recommendations of the Grant Assessment Panel and make decisions relating to the approval of funding.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is March 2026 onwards
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is Within 6 weeks of notification of successful applicants via acceptance of Terms and Conditions (Claim of Grant form).
Support and contact
For questions relating to the grants program or for specific assistance with the online system, email the Office of Sport Grants Unit at infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au or call 13 13 02 during standard office hours.