2025-26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund – Program guidelines

For accessibility, the program guidelines have been published in full on this web page. Scroll down to read the guidelines online or download a copy via the links below.

On this page

• 1. 2025-26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund
• 2. Eligibility
• 3. Funding opportunities
• 4. Funding streams
• 5. Supporting documentation
• 6. Application process and closing date
• 7. Types of activities that will not be funded
• 8. Assessment process
• 9. Conditions that apply to funding
• 10 Resources and additional information
• 11. Glossary

1. 2025-26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund

1.1 About the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund

The 2025-26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (the Fund) is a statewide competitive Victorian Government investment program. It provides funding to develop high-quality, accessible community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

The Fund promotes partnerships between the Victorian Government, Local Government Authorities (LGAs), Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV), sporting clubs and associations, schools, educational institutions, and community organisations.

The Fund aims to increase and promote opportunities so Victorians can participate in ways that suit them and is targeted towards individuals and communities who participate less. This aligns with the strategic directions identified in Active Victoria 2022-2026: A strategic framework for sport and recreation in Victoria.

Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) administers the Fund, which is underpinned by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions’ (DJSIR) priorities of driving a strong and resilient economy that benefits all Victorians. It does this by creating more opportunities for people through jobs and skills, supporting businesses and industries to grow and prosper, and building vibrant communities and regions.

1.2 Outcomes

The Fund reflects the Victorian Government’s commitment to securing the many benefits of participating in sport and active recreation. This includes supporting Victorians, particularly those individuals and communities who participate less to achieve better health, wellbeing, social, and economic outcomes through the construction, programming and activation of community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

The Fund will invest in proposals that can demonstrate commitment to the following outcomes:

• provides additional participation opportunities through the development of multi-use community sport and active recreation infrastructure
• increased participation opportunities for individuals and groups who participate less, including socio-economically disadvantaged communities
• provides equitable and inclusive participation opportunities for women and girls in community sport and active recreation
• improved sustainable design and planning to ensure infrastructure investment is building better and more liveable communities
• increased local economic activity through the planning, building, management, and activation of redeveloped or new infrastructure.

1.3 Investment priorities

Priority will be given to projects that:

• provide the strongest participation outcomes, including supporting existing participation, for groups that participate less in community sport and active recreation including women and girls, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people from LGBTQIA+ communities, and economically disadvantaged communities as identified in Active Victoria 2022-2026: A strategic framework for sport and recreation in Victoria
• support communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, particularly projects that support suburbs and towns within the 2 most disadvantaged deciles in Victoria as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage, 2021 available in the Suburbs and Localities, Indexes, SEIFA 2021 download on the ABS website.
• support communities in areas of need that have experienced natural disasters (for example, drought affected areas, floods, bushfires) or communities experiencing strong population growth or significant change in circumstances (for example, economic challenges)
• demonstrate multi-use, shared and integrated facilities including those on school land that can ensure long-term community access. Please see Section 3.6 for information regarding facilities on school land
• provide a confirmed active recreation benefit through improved facility availability, scheduling, public access, and policy development (for projects with lighting elements)
• demonstrate economic uplift in the form of job creation during construction and operation, non-government investment and local event attraction.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Eligible applicants

Only Victorian LGAs and ARV are eligible to apply to the Fund.

In line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Access Policy Roadmap, all Victorian LGAs must continue to have an acceptable gender equitable access and use policy (or equivalent) in place to be considered eligible for funding from the Program.

LGAs/ARV must discuss potential project/s with their SRV representatives to receive feedback on eligible projects before submitting their application/s.

Sport and recreation clubs, sporting associations and leagues, educational institutions, not-for-profit community organisations, businesses and individuals cannot directly apply to the Fund.

Local clubs, committees of management and organisations are advised to contact their LGA/ARV if they wish to express interest, seek support or be involved as a partner in applications to the Fund.

2.2 Eligible applications

Only eligible applications will be assessed and considered for funding by SRV.

To be eligible for funding, applications must:

• ensure the project scope and funding request adhere to the relevant funding stream requirements
• be able to demonstrate that the infrastructure project will be completed within 24 months of execution of a Grant Agreement with the DJSIR (for successful projects)
• exclude activities listed in Section 7
• be submitted (including all supporting documentation) by 5:00 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025.

Each individual infrastructure project requires a separate application. Bundled projects will be deemed ineligible.

Stages of a larger facility development may seek support from the Fund, providing the stage addresses the assessment criteria and meets all other eligibility requirements. For a staged project, please provide information on the delivery of any future stages, including timelines.

3. Funding opportunities

3.1 Funding streams

Funding is available under the following streams.

Community Facilities

Number of applications: Unlimited but cannot exceed $500,000 in total across all applications per LGA/ARV.

Maximum total grant amount per application: Up to $500,000.

Project types for eligible funding:

• New and/or redeveloped sports fields and sports courts
• multi-sport training facilities that are publicly accessible
• active recreation spaces such as multi-activity facilities, outdoor exercise equipment or redevelopment of indoor spaces, such as appropriate flooring for fitness   classes
• projects that result in improved facility carrying capacity, such as new drainage, irrigation and grass installations
• playspaces, skate parks, pump tracks, BMX tracks, and outdoor splash parks
• installation of new LED or redeveloping lighting that benefits community sport and active recreation spaces when forming part of a larger project. Replacement of non-LED lamps with LED Lighting Infrastructure to enable lighting standards to be met will be permitted
• redevelopment/upgrade   to outdoor aquatic facilities that improve accessibility and participation such as leisure water, change rooms and energy or water efficiency upgrades, for example, heating of water spaces
• re-purposing indoor sport or recreation spaces to create new participation opportunities
• redeveloping or complementing sports facilities to include new active recreation infrastructure
• accessibility improvements for facilities where Senior Victorians participate such as ramps and change rooms
• LED electronic scoreboards and fixed equipment including but not limited to sports field behind goal safety netting and player/coaches’ boxes.

Community Sports Lighting

Number of applications: Unlimited but cannot exceed $250,000 in total across all applications per LGA/ARV.

Maximum total grant amount per application: Up to $250,000.

Project types for eligible funding: Funding can only be sought for LED lighting infrastructure through this stream.

• new lighting that provides capacity for sports fields, sports courts or playing areas to host activities
• redeveloped or additional lighting to extend capacity (usage times and coverage) of sports fields, sports courts or playing areas
• new, redeveloped or additional lighting to extend availability and capacity of active recreation facilities
• replacement of non-LED lighting with LED lamps to permit lighting standards to be met. Should existing lighting poles and arms be retained, a report from an engineer or other suitable expert confirming that they are structurally sound must be provided
• projects that also provide active recreation benefits by facilitating use of sports facilities outside of formal sport usage or lighting adjacent spaces to facilitate active recreation usage by the community. For further information, please refer to the Lighting outdoor sports facilities for active recreation: Research summary.

Priority will be given to sports lighting applications that also provide a confirmed active recreation benefit through improved facility availability, scheduling, public access, and policy development.

Planning

Number of applications: One Facility Planning or One Municipal Planning application per LGA/ARV.

Maximum total grant amount per application: Up to $40,000.

Project types for eligible funding:

The stream provides support to undertake a range of specific facility and strategic planning projects that contribute to infrastructure readiness and/or the long-term direction of facility and open space.

• Facility Planning (single site facility planning only):
  • facility planning activities supporting project readiness. This may include Designs (minimum schematic) and/or Quantity Surveyor and/or Technical or Specialised Reports (for example, Geotech, Turf analysis, Sustainability Report)
  • proposed facilities should be strategically significant and evidenced by master plans or strategic plans.
  • single site planning only.
• Municipal Planning
  • strategic planning for specific facility type/s such as playspaces, aquatic facilities, indoor stadiums, etc.
  • master planning across 3 or more sites
  • infrastructure and participation strategies for specific sports and/or active recreation activities
  • feasibility studies for one or more significant projects.

3.2 Timelines

3.3 Funding ratios

Funding ratios apply to the Fund as outlined in the table below.

Applicants must confirm matched funding consistent with the funding ratios for the applicable stream. Ratios are calculated using total project cost (exclusive of GST).

Applications may include project management fees of up to 7.5% of the total project cost (exclusive of GST).

Applications must include contingency that is a minimum 10% of the total project cost (exclusive of GST).

Applicants cannot use other State Government funding, such as funding from the Growing Suburbs Fund, as part of their local contribution throughout the delivery of the project.

Local contributions may comprise of funding from other organisations including LGAs/ARV, sport and recreation clubs, state sporting associations, schools, educational institutions, Federal Government, community organisations or in-kind support (limits apply to in-kind support).

* Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges

3.4 In-kind contributions

An in‑kind contribution is a contribution of a good or service other than money. Applications for infrastructure projects can claim in‑kind expenses up to a maximum of 50% of the local contribution.

LGAs/ARV must approve and underwrite any in‑kind contribution from third parties for each applicable application. Examples include voluntary labour, donated goods and donated services.

Applications that include in-kind contributions must provide:

• a completed in-kind and voluntary support form
• a letter from the LGA/ARV Chief Executive Officer that approves and underwrites any in-kind contributions.

3.5 Fair Access Policy Roadmap

All Victorian LGAs must continue to have an acceptable gender equitable access and use policy (or equivalent) in place to be considered eligible to receive community sport infrastructure funding, reflecting the Victorian Government’s Fair Access Policy Roadmap (the Roadmap). The Roadmap is embedding a statewide foundation to improve the access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure for women and girls.

Policies ensure that women and girls can fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of community sport, with fair opportunity and access to their local community sport facilities.

3.6 Facilities on school land

LGAs are eligible to apply to the Fund for projects located on school land.

For projects on school land, applicants must provide a Community Joint Use Proposal which is completed by the applicant and the school and a letter from the Department of Education central office that endorses the project.

Projects on non-government school land are also eligible for funding and require a similar demonstration of commitment from both parties to ensure long-term community access is achieved under agreed terms.

3.7 Facilities on Crown land

LGAs are eligible to apply to the Fund for projects located on Crown land. Partnerships between LGAs, committees of management and other land managers for projects that support community sport and active recreation outcomes on Crown land are encouraged.

4. Funding streams

4.1 Community Facilities Stream

The Community Facilities Stream supports the development of a broad range of new, or redevelopment of existing, community sport and active recreation infrastructure ensuring all infrastructure is high-quality, multi-use and accessible to all. Refer to Section 3.1 for a list of eligible projects under the Community Facilities Stream.

4.1.1 Application details

As per Section 3.1, applicants may submit an unlimited number of applications but cannot exceed $500,000 in total across all applications per LGA/ARV.

Applicants must respond to assessment criteria for the Community Facilities stream outlined in Section 4.1.2 and provide all the mandatory supporting documentation in Section 5. The quality of supporting documentation provided will also be considered during assessment.

Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate alignment with the Investment Priorities as outlined in Section 1.3.

Each project requires a separate application under this stream. Bundled projects will be deemed ineligible.

4.1.2 Assessment criteria

4.2 Community Sports Lighting Stream

This Community Sports Lighting stream supports the installation of LED sports lighting infrastructure that increases facility capacity and participation opportunities. Refer to Section 3.1 for a list of eligible projects under the Community Sports Lighting Stream.

4.2.1 Application details

As per Section 3.1, applicants may submit an unlimited number of applications but cannot exceed $250,000 in total across all applications per LGA/ARV.

Applicants must respond to assessment criteria for the Community Sports Lighting Stream outlined in Section 4.2.2 and provide all the mandatory supporting documentation listed in Section 5. The quality of supporting documentation provided will also be considered during assessment.

Priority will be given to applications that clearly demonstrate a commitment to lighting that supports community sport and active recreation usage. For example, extending lighting hours beyond training sessions or on days where training is not held, for broader community and active recreation use (refer to the Lighting outdoor sports facilities for active recreation: Research summary for further information).  Priority will also be given to projects that can demonstrate alignment with the Investment Priorities as outlined in Section 1.3.

Applications should also advise whether a power upgrade will be required onsite, or if the current power is suitable for the new lighting.

Each project requires a separate application under this stream. Bundled projects will be deemed ineligible.

4.2.2 Assessment criteria

4.3 Planning Stream

The Planning Stream provides support to undertake a range of specific facility and strategic planning projects that contribute to infrastructure readiness and/or the long-term direction of facility and open space. These projects are independent, consultative and improve sport and active recreation coordination to meet demand.

Refer to Section 3.1 for a list of eligible projects under the Planning Stream. Projects that deliver concept plans will not be supported and deemed ineligible (refer to the Glossary).

4.3.1 Application details

As per Section 3.1, applicants may submit one Facility Planning or one Municipal Planning project per LGA/ARV up to $40,000.

Applicants must respond to relevant assessment criteria for the Planning stream outlined in Section 4.3.2 and provide all the mandatory documentation listed in Section 5. The quality of supporting documentation provided will also be considered during assessment.

Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate alignment with the Investment Priorities as outlined in Section 1.3.

4.3.2 Assessment criteria

5. Supporting Documentation

The table below outlines the mandatory and desired supporting documentation for each funding stream. Please submit all mandatory documentation with your application to ensure eligibility and demonstrate project readiness. Desired supporting documentation is not a requirement however it will further demonstrate project readiness, if applicable.

Please also refer to the Supporting Documents Checklist for each stream on the program page to assist with the development of your application and supporting documentation. This checklist can also be submitted with your application if you wish to provide any additional comments.

The quality of the documentation will be assessed in conjunction with LGA/ARV responses to the assessment criteria for the funding stream. Refer to Section 6 for instructions about how to submit supporting documentation for your application.

6. Application process and closing date

Step 1. Confirm eligibility

Action required:

• Confirm you are an eligible applicant and meet other eligibility requirements (as per Section 2).
• Confirm your project is eligible under a Local Sports Infrastructure Fund funding stream (as per Section 3.1).
• Confirm grant amount sought is within the SRV funding limits (as per Section 3.1).
• Confirm the funding ratio for the relevant stream (as per
  Section 3.3).

Step 2. Contact SRV

Action required:

• LGAs/ARV must discuss project ideas with their SRV representative/s prior to applying.
• LGAs/ARV will be provided with:
  • high-level design feedback including alignment with relevant sporting guidelines
  • guidance on the development of proposals that have merit, that align with the Fund objectives and that are ready to proceed.
• Applicants should seek independent advice before signing a Grant Agreement.

Step 3. Prepare application and supporting documents

Action required:

• LGAs/ARV to prepare applications by addressing all assessment criteria and submitting all mandatory supporting documents for the relevant stream.
• The preparation and submission of applications are at the cost of the applicant.
• Please only use whole dollar amounts (e.g. $250,000) in your requested amounts and total project values when completing application. Do not include cents or decimal points.

Step 4. Submit application by closing date

Action required:

• Eligible applicants must complete the application form (including responses to the assessment criteria for the relevant stream) via the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund program page by 5:00 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
• An application must address all assessment criteria as per the relevant stream. Claims made against each criterion must be substantiated with evidence.
• Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered eligible unless an extension has been requested and approved in writing by SRV before the closing date. Approval will only be granted under exceptional circumstances (for example, significant technology disruptions or impacts from natural disasters).

Step 5. Submit supporting documents by closing date

Action required:

• Email all supporting documents to communityinfrastructure@sport.vic.gov.au by 5:00 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025. Please ensure all supporting documents are clearly named (for example, Plans – Project Name, Costs – Project Name)
• Zip all supporting documents into one compressed folder. Please see instructions below on how to zip files into a compressed folder.
• Quote your project name in the subject line of your email.
• If documentation is not provided at the time of application, SRV reserves the right to deem the application ineligible.
• Please email communityinfrastructure@sport.vic.gov.au if you experience any issues with emailing your supporting documentation.
• Compressing files into a compressed folder:
  • Select all files using your mouse, then right click, select Send to and then select Compressed (zipped) folder. This will prompt a Save window allowing you to save all selected files into one compressed folder.

The size limit of an email varies between 20 MB to 30 MB. If your documents combined exceed this, you will need to split them into separate compressed folders and email them separately (for example, Part 1 – Project Name, Part 2 – Project Name).

7. Types of activities that will not be funded

• Facilities where little or no public access is available.
• Facilities without a primary purpose of community sport or active recreation.
• Projects that do not meet relevant sport or Australian Standards (for example, lighting projects). Facilities that do not comply with the relevant sport standard must seek exemption from the relevant sporting organisation and supply appropriate evidence to be supported by the Fund.
• The replacement of like-for-like surfaces (for example, synthetic surface replaced by a similar synthetic surface) are ineligible for funding. To be eligible for funding the application will need to demonstrate that additional uses are proposed and/or a multi-purpose element is being introduced. Exceptional circumstances may be considered where significant safety or compliance issues are evident, and an activity will not continue to be conducted as a result. Applicants will need to provide a condition audit or other technical evidence demonstrating the safety or compliance issue.
• The purchase of land (in general, the land on which the facility development is proposed will be municipal property, a Crown reserve, land owned by a public authority, private land with public access rights or land held for public purposes by trustees).
• Requests for retrospective funding, where projects have started construction or are finished prior to the execution of a Grant Agreement (construction includes, but is not limited to demolition, site clearing, earthworks, building works and any form of early works).
• Buildings or equipment considered temporary or not permanent in nature or intended use for projects funded through the infrastructure streams.
• Metal halide lighting (only LED lighting systems will be funded).
• Upgrading or redeveloping kitchens or public toilet facilities, except as part of a larger project that meets the objectives of the relevant Fund stream.
• Requests for ongoing operational costs such as, but not limited to, salaries, electricity, water, asset maintenance and other utilities.
• Routine or cyclical maintenance works.
• Purchasing or maintaining recreation, entertainment, sporting, lifesaving or any other equipment (except as part of facility fit out).
• Projects previously funded by SRV, unless applicants can demonstrate additional or new uses resulting in increased participation/programming outcomes.
• Repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the damage can be fully covered by insurance. The Fund may consider supporting applications where the scope includes elements that are not covered by insurance, or for amounts exceeding the value insured.
• In general, areas designated as licensed areas within a proposed facility will not be eligible for funding. DJSIR may consider applications where a restricted club license is proposed or in place, provided that the restricted license does not interfere with the facility’s other amenities or services, such as childcare or access by young people.
• Tenant clubs that have failed to resolve a breach of the Fair Play Code.
• Applications for bundled projects where the one single application proposes to deliver multiple projects that will occur at different sites.
• Applications where the project beneficiary receives revenue directly from Electronic Gaming Machines will not be prioritised.
• For Facility Planning: other pre-planning documents (for example, Cultural Heritage Management Plan, Facility Asset Audits) or specific facility business case, advocacy documents or management plans. Projects that deliver concept plans (please refer to the Glossary).
• For Municipal Planning: single site master plans.

8. Assessment Process

Only eligible applications submitted by eligible applicants will be assessed and considered for funding by SRV. Please refer to Section 2 for eligibility requirements and Section 6 for details about the application process.

SRV reserves the right to not assess an application should insufficient information be provided, including responses to assessment criteria and mandatory supporting documentation. SRV reserves the right to negotiate a lower than requested funding amount for submitted applications.

Applications will be considered against the assessment criteria by SRV staff and then reviewed by a Moderation Panel. The Moderation Panel will also consider the Investment Priorities outlined at Section 1.3 and in each stream before making recommendations to the Minister. Consideration will also be given to ensuring an equitable distribution of funding across Victoria.

SRV will also consider an applicant’s past performance and the organisation’s capacity to deliver projects on time. Compliance with past Grant Agreements and the number and duration of overdue milestones (including final acquittal and outcomes reports) for existing projects will also be considered, along with live projects with significant budget shortfalls.

Decisions regarding funding by the Minister for Community Sport are final and no further correspondence shall be entered into regarding such decisions.

LGAs/ARV are invited to seek feedback from SRV on unsuccessful applications.

9. Conditions that apply to funding

9.1 Grant Agreements

Successful applicants must enter a Grant Agreement with DJSIR with initial project payments made in the 2025–26 financial year.

The Grant Agreement will include reference to the following:

• recipients are responsible for all Project cost overruns
• the facility tenant club/s are expected to adhere to the Fair Play Code or related state sporting association Code of Conduct. More information can be found at Fair Play Code
• recipients may seek timing and/or scope variations for funded projects. Consideration of variations may lead to changes in deliverables, milestones, grant amount and payments
• LGAs/ARV must inform the participating organisation/s, where applicable, of all funding arrangements and obligations in relation to the grant allocation. This includes ensuring the funded project does not start prior to the execution of the Grant Agreement
• acknowledgement and Ministerial event requirements.

An LGA/ARV Officer must be designated to manage the project and provide information to DJSIR according to the following key reporting requirements:

• a Project Management Framework must be completed and submitted for all applications. Dates within the Project Management Framework will inform Grant Agreement milestones for successful projects.
• LGAs/ARV must secure SRV’s endorsement of key documents such as schematic plans and architectural/planning briefs prior to works commencing. Projects must not start or be tendered until endorsement is provided. SRV may not make milestone payments if endorsement is not secured in a timely manner
• LGAs/ARV must provide project acquittal documentation as required
• LGAs/ARV are expected to guarantee the cash flow payments towards works where a community organisation is providing funding contributions for a project
• LGAs/ARV must contribute information on activity outcomes for use in outcomes reporting, program evaluation reviews or DJSIR publications, 12 months after project acquittal.

A participation plan may be required for some applications funded. This will form part of the Grant Agreement. This will include details on how groups that participate less will be engaged and their participation facilitated.

9.2 Acknowledging the Victorian Government’s support and promoting success

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support through the Fund. Acknowledgement guidelines form part of the Grant Agreement and include the requirement that all activities acknowledge Victorian Government support through logo presentation on any activity-related publications, media releases, social media posts, and promotional material, and/or placing a Victorian Government endorsed sign at the site of infrastructure activities.

Details of requirements for funded projects are available in the SRV: Infrastructure Grants Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines.

Successful applicants may be required to contribute information on activity outcomes for use in program evaluation reviews or DJSIRs marketing materials.

9.3 Payments

Payments will be made conditional upon:

• the Grant Agreement having been signed by both parties
• milestones having been achieved to the DJSIRs satisfaction including provision of required/requested information and reports to the satisfaction of the DJSIR.
• other terms and conditions of funding continue to be met.

A minimum of 5% of the grant will be paid upon financial acquittal of the project.

Payments advanced prior to completion are subject to refund if the Project is not performed in accordance with the Grant Agreement.

9.4 Privacy

DJSIR is committed to protecting your privacy. Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected for the purposes of administering your grant application and informing the public of successful applications.

To be able to administer your grant application effectively and efficiently, we may need to disclose your personal information to State and Commonwealth Government departments and external experts, such as members of assessment panels, for the purposes of assessment, consultation, and reporting. If there is an intention to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure they are aware of, and consent to the contents of this privacy statement.

Any personal information about you or a third party will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and other applicable laws.

DJSIR is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. Enquiries about access to personal information, or for other concerns regarding the privacy of personal information, can be emailed to the DJSIR Privacy Unit at privacy@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

10. Resources and additional information

We have consolidated several helpful guidelines, tools and resources to assist with project and application development that can be found in our resources section.

11. Glossary