2025-26 Regional All Abilities Participation Grants – Program guidelines

Program guideline document downloads

On this page

• About the guidelines
• 1. About the program
• 2. Strategic alignment to Active Victoria
• 3. Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities
• 4. Applicant eligibility
• 5. How many applications can I submit?
• 6. Eligible projects and costs
• 7. What won't be funded
• 8. Assessment and approval
• 9. What your application must include
• 10. Child abuse insurance
• 11. How to apply
• 12. Due-diligence checks
• 13. Conditions that apply to applications and funding
• 14. Payments
• 15. Child safe standards
• 16.  Acknowledgement of the government's support and promoting successes
• 17. Post project evaluation
• 18. Compliance and audit
• 19. Privacy statement
• 20. Terms of applying
• 21. Complaints

About the guidelines

These program guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Minister for Community Sport

These program guidelines provide an indication of what will be considered for funding and a list of some of the items and projects that will not be funded. This is not an exhaustive list. Applicants that are unsure if proposed items or projects are eligible for funding, should contact us prior to submitting their application.

The Department’s reserved rights

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these program guidelines, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (the Department) reserves the right to do any or all of the following, in its absolute discretion, at any time for any reason, with or without notice:

• suspend or cancel the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants
• withdraw, amend or replace these program guidelines and any application terms
• suspend or cease the assessment of any application
• withdraw any offer it has made to a successful applicant through an Email of Acceptance or Grant Agreement.

For information on this program, contact us.

1. About the program

The Victorian Government established the $40 million All Abilities Sport Fund, to improve accessibility and inclusion in sport and active recreation for people with disability in regional and rural Victoria.

As part of this initiative, the  Regional All Abilities Participation Grants compliment 2 other key programs:

• All Abilities Workforce and Sector Support Program 2024-27
• Strengthening Regional Community Sport Program 2024-27.

These Programs demonstrate the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and lasting opportunities for people with disability to participate in local sport and active recreation.

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants will be delivered from 2024 to 2027.

1.1 Key dates

Applications open: Wednesday 1 October 2025

Applications close: 11:59 PM, Wednesday 19 November 2025

Notification of outcomes: Late January 2026.

1.2 Program categories

Organisations can apply for grants of up to $25,000, through the following 3 categories:

Category 1: Equipment and Travel

Helping organisations remove barriers to participation by funding:

• Inclusive equipment, assistive technology, adaptive uniforms and environmental aids
• Travel assistance for players and officials with disability and support staff.

Category 2: Inclusion Workforce

Strengthening organisation capacity to welcome and support people with disability through:

• Hiring specialised staff to assist participants
• Creating paid or volunteer roles for people with disability, including mentoring and retention support.

Category 3: Programs and Disability-led Initiatives

Empowering organisations to deliver meaningful, inclusive experiences by funding:

• Ongoing sport or active recreation programs tailored for people with disability
• Initiatives led by or involving people with disability in planning and decision-making.

2. Strategic alignment to Active Victoria

The Active Victoria 2022-2026 framework guides the work of Sport and Recreation Victoria. It reflects a shared commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and connected sport and active recreation sector that delivers meaningful outcomes for all Victorians.

We acknowledge that access to the benefits of sport and active recreation must be equitable. People with disability living in regional and rural areas often face complex and systemic barriers that limit their ability to participate in sport in a consistent, sustainable, and meaningful way.

The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants directly align with the priorities and outcomes of Active Victoria 2022–2026.

Active Victoria priorities

Connecting communities

All Victorians have the opportunity to participate in sport and active recreation initiatives that are high  quality, inclusive and appropriate.

Building value

The sport and active recreation workforce create positive experiences for people.

Enduring legacy

A connected system that generates long term benefits for the sector and Victoria.

Active Victoria outcomes

Sustained participation

More Victorians participate equitably in sport and active recreation.

Sector capability

The sport and active recreation workforce is highly skilled and leads a strong, sustainable industry.

Good governance

Sport and active recreation is a safe, inclusive and resilient sector.

3. Program objectives and 2025-26 priorities

The objectives, priorities for 2025–26, and expected outcomes guide how funding is directed and how inclusive participation in sport and active recreation is supported across regional Victoria.

Program objectives

• Remove barriers and increase participation opportunities for people with disability in regional and rural communities.
• Build the capability of community sport and active recreation organisations through enhanced volunteer and paid workforce support, resources, and inclusive practices.
• Improve access to workforce opportunities for people with disability.
• Strengthen the capacity of regional and rural organisations to deliver inclusive initiatives.
• Align with the strategic direction of Active Victoria 2022-2026.

2025-26 program priorities

• Support projects that are led by, or actively involve, people with disability in decision-making.
• Fund initiatives that address intersectionality and promote participation among underrepresented groups, including:
  • Women and girls
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
  • LGBTQIA+ individuals
  • Older adults
• Prioritise organisations located in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage, as identified by the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data.

End-of-program outcomes:

• Increased participation in sport and active recreation at the community level across Victoria.
• Enhanced capacity of community sport and active recreation organisations to deliver inclusive programs.
• Greater involvement of people with disability—both on and off the field in sport and active recreation across regional and rural Victoria.

4. Applicant eligibility

4.1 Who can apply?

Organisations must meet all the following criteria.

Project delivery

Deliver sport, active recreation, or physical activity programs.

Organisation type

Be a not-for-profit, non-government entity registered as:

• Incorporated Association with an IAN number
• Company Limited by Guarantee with an ACN number or
• Indigenous Corporation with an ICN number.

Business registration

Provide an Australian Business Number. If no ABN, submit a Statement by supplier not quoting an ABN form.

Project delivery location

Deliver the project in one of Victoria’s 48 regional or rural council areas:

• Barwon South West
• Gippsland
• Grampians
• Hume
• Loddon Mallee.

Search by postcode, regional or rural council area on the Regional Development Victoria website.

Applications are open to

• Community sport or active recreation organisations
• State Sporting Associations (SSA)
• State Sport and Active Recreation Bodies (SSARB)
• Regional Sports Assemblies (RSA)
• Regional Academies of Sport
• state recreation organisations
• disability sporting organisations
• disability service providers
• disability or Self-Advocacy groups
• Health and Allied Health service providers
• Neighbourhood House
• social enterprise
• a registered charity.

4.2 Ineligible applicants

The following organisations or entities are not eligible to apply for funding:

• Unincorporated associations
• Companies not incorporated in Australia.
• Individuals or sole traders.
• Individual trustee and unincorporated trusts.
• Schools, playgroups, kindergartens, child-care centres or pre-schools.
• Commonwealth, state or local government bodies.

4.3 Auspice arrangements for sport or active recreation organisations

Sport and active recreation organisations that are not eligible to apply directly, may nominate an auspice organisation to take legal and financial responsibility on their behalf.

The auspice organisation must:

• be registered as one of the eligible entity types listed in the applicant eligibility criteria
• be operating in Victoria.

Auspice arrangements cannot be used:

• to apply on behalf of individuals or ineligible entities
• for organisations other than unincorporated sport or active recreation organisations
• for projects that deliver services to children under 18 years of age.

4.4 Applicant attestations

All applicants must attest that their organisation:

• implements and maintains policies relating to the Child Safe Standards as available on the Commission for Children and Young People website
• has fulfilled all reporting obligations for any previous grants received from Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Sport or active recreation applicants must also attest they:

• follow and enforce the Fair Play Code, or the relevant State Sporting Association code of conduct and/or member protection policy.
• comply with the Australian National Anti-Doping Scheme and Policy (if applicable).

4.5 Additional requirements

All applicants and auspice organisations must confirm the following:

• Organisations affiliated with a Sport and Recreation Victoria recognised organisation, that recognised organisation must have a minimum 40% women on their board or have an approved action plan with the Sport and Recreation Victoria to meet this requirement. More information at Balance the Board Policy.
• Organisation that have been named in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, or has received a Notice of Redress Liability, they must join or provide written advice of intent to join the National Redress Scheme. More information at National Redress Scheme.

5. How many applications can I submit?

Each organisation may submit up to 2 applications in total – but only 1 per category.

Key conditions:

• Each application can request up to $25,000
• Applications must be for different categories – 2 applications in the same category will not be accepted.
• Each application must be submitted separately.
• If more than 2 applications are submitted, only the first applications received (by date and time) will be considered. Further applications will be deemed ineligible.
• Applications must be distinct. Duplicate or substantially similar submissions will not be considered.

When submitting 2 applications, the following combinations are eligible:

1. Category 1: Equipment and Travel and Category 2: Inclusion Workforce
2. Category 1: Equipment and Travel and Category 3: Programs and Disability-led Initiatives
3. Category 2: Inclusion Workforce and Category 3: Programs and Disability-led Initiatives.

6. Eligible projects and costs

Projects must:

• specifically benefit people with disability in regional or rural Victoria
• be open to the public and benefit the wider community.

Successful applicants:

• may use part of the grant amount to engage a provider to support the implementation of the project
• must spend grant funds and complete the project within 12 months of acknowledging the Email of Acceptance.

6.1 Funding details

Category 1: Equipment and Travel

This category supports the purchase, hire, or maintenance of equipment and travel-related costs that enable safe, inclusive and accessible participation.

Eligible Costs:

• Modified, adaptive, customised or sensory equipment
  • Water wheelchairs, handcycles, mono-ski outriggers
  • Lowered hoops, adapted balls, gripping aids, running tethers, kicking aids
  • Pushers, eyeshades, harnesses, saddles, leads, reins.
• Assistive technology
  • Electronic magnifiers, speech-generating devices
  • Tactile markers, raised line paint, auditory goal indicators
  • Adjustable goals, throwing frames, starting lights.
• Safety and injury prevention
  • Head protectors, paddle supports
  • Special flotation devices, ear gear.
• Environmental aids
  • Portable grab bars, rails, ramps, mobility aids
  • Stabilising horizontal and vertical grab bars.
• Uniforms and clothing
  • Adaptive or sensory clothing: tactiles, compression wear, weighted vests
  • High-visibility or high-contrast outerwear
  • Specialised footwear, ergonomic support wearables.
• Travel costs organised by the organisation
  • Hire of accessible vehicles.

Category 2: Inclusion Workforce

This category supports projects that grow an inclusive sport and recreation workforce by creating employment pathways and support for people with disability.

Eligible Costs:

Employ specialist staff to deliver person-centred support in sport and active recreation settings

• Vision impairment guide
  Supports athletes through verbal or tactile guidance in sports like tandem cycling, running and goalball.
• Adaptive equipment technician
  Helps fitting and maintaining sport-specific equipment like racing wheelchairs, handcycles, and sit-skis.
• Mobility assistant
  Assists with positioning and movement during sports such as wheelchair basketball or adaptive rowing.
• Auslan interpreter
  Facilitates communication for deaf participants in team sports, coaching sessions, and events.
• Learning coach
  Adapts coaching methods and instructions for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• Autism facilitator
  Tailors sport environments and communication strategies to support sensory and social needs.

Employ people with disability in paid or volunteer roles across sport and active recreation settings

• Coaching and programs assistance
• Event and game day roles
• Club operations and office support
• Community engagement and inclusion..

Other eligible costs:

Collaboration, recruitment and retention

• Partnering with disability employment services.
• Co-designed initiatives promoting inclusive employment.
• Engaging consultants to support workforce diversity.
• Creating and promoting accessible job ads.
• Inclusive recruitment processes and interview support.
• Tailored induction and mentoring for employees with disability.
• Ongoing training and development for employees.

Category 3: Programs and Disability-led Initiatives

This category supports organisations to deliver ongoing, inclusive sport and active recreation programs tailored for people with disability. It also encourages initiatives led by or involving people with disability in planning and decision-making.

Eligible costs:

Programs and activities

• All abilities, modified or adaptive sport programs.
• Flexible, social, non-competitive or mainstream activities
• Programs supporting intersectional inclusion, engaging people with disability alongside other underrepresented groups with low participation, as identified in program priorities.
• Disability pride initiatives
• Virtual or remote programs for those facing barriers to in-person attendance.

Requirements

• Projects must be newly devised as ongoing or multi-session activities for the 2025-26 financial year
• Must provide participation opportunities specifically for people with disability or include them in mainstream programs.

Eligible expenses

• Operational and administrative costs
• Project staffing
• Venue hire
• Uniforms and equipment
• Costs eligible under Category 1 and 2.

7. What won’t be funded

Ineligible projects

Projects will not be funded if they:

• Are not delivered in regional or rural Victoria.
• Costs incurred before October 2025.
• Deliver ongoing activities or services to children under 18 years without appropriate child abuse insurance.
• Under Category 3, include equipment as the only cost in the application. Equipment costs can be part of the application, but not the sole component.
• Have already received funding for the same or similar project or costs through any of the following programs:
  • Regional All Abilities Participation Grants (2024–25)
  • Together More Active Program (2023–2027)
  • Change Our Game – Community Activation Grants (2023–24 or 2024–25)
  • Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program (2024–25 or 2025-26)
  • Sporting Club Grants Program (2023–24 or 2024–25).
  • All Abilities Workforce and Sector Support Program 2024-27
  • Strengthening Regional Community Sport Program 2024-27.

Ineligible costs

Funding will not cover costs that:

• Are not directly related to project delivery or do not represent value for money
• Are considered business-as-usual expenses, including:
• Rent, utilities, and operational wages
• Legal fees, property taxes, and business travel
• Insurance or general administrative costs
• Relate to projects or programs developed or delivered during the 2024–25 financial year
• Involve infrastructure or capital works, including:
  • Upgrades or maintenance of buildings, property, or vehicles
  • Fixed playing surfaces or permanent structures
• Are used to meet regulatory or compliance requirements, including:
  • Working with Children Checks, Police checks, permits.

Excluded specific expenses

Funding will not support:

• One-off events such as single-day activities, come-and-try days, or camps
• Gala events, functions, trophies, prize money, or gifts
• Hospitality, catering, or alcohol
• Accommodation costs
• Vehicle purchases or modifications, including cars, buses, or boats
• Domestic aids not used for sport or active recreation
• Prosthetics
• Animal-related costs, including:
  • Purchase, transport, training, care or upkeep
  • Food, grooming, equipment, certifications, vaccinations, veterinary services
• Firearms, scopes, or ammunition.

8. Assessment and approval

8.1 Assessment process

Application assessment and funding outcomes are based on:

• eligibility of the applicant
• strength of response to assessment criteria
• quality and completeness of supporting documentation
• comparison with other submissions
• availability of funding.

Funding recommendations are submitted to the Minister for Community Sport for final approval.

8.2 Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria reflect the program’s objectives and 2025–26 priorities.

Each criterion is weighted to guide applicant decision-making.

9. What your application must include

To be considered for funding, applicants must provide project details that fully illustrate the type of project they want to undertake and the associated costs.

Mandatory support documentation

A completed project plan, budget and relevant quotes must be submitted with each application.

Project plan

You may use this Regional All Abilities Participation Grants – Project Plan Template (DOCX 80.96 KB) or submit your own format.

The project plan must include:

• project name and location
• scope and overview, including commitments.
• key stakeholders and beneficiaries, including project partners
• project timeline
• estimated date for grant evaluation.

Budget

The budget must outline:

• All income and expenses related to the project
• In-kind contributions and other funding sources.

If exact costs are not known, the budget requires estimated costs with itemised breakdowns.

These costs may include:

• fuel or transit
• leases or hire arrangements
• promotional material estimates
• wage estimates or salaries.

Quotes

Quotes must:

• match the costs requesting funding
• be equal to or greater than the funding requested
• be dated from 1 October 2025
• Include: item description, quantity, unit and total cost, supplier’s business details (name, ABN, and/or website)
• be unpaid – funding will not cover costs for activities already started.

Acceptable formats include:

• website shopping carts and screenshots
• unpaid invoices
• email confirmations.

9.1 Other support documentation

While not mandatory, the following documents may strengthen your application:

• letters of support
• partnership agreements
• endorsements from local organisations or community leaders.

10. Child abuse insurance

10.1 When is Child Abuse Insurance required?

Child abuse insurance is only required if your project involves delivering ongoing or recurring services or programs to children under 18 years of age.

10.2 What does ‘recurring services’ or ‘programs’ mean?

These are activities where your organisation has ongoing responsibility or supervision of children, and the engagement happens regularly, not just once.

This includes:

• weekly sports programs
• regular coaching clinics or training
• structured holiday programs delivered over multiple days or weeks.

10.3 Do I need child abuse insurance for one-off events?

The following projects do not require child abuse insurance:

• a single come-and-try day
• a standalone community festival
• occasional incidental contact with children during broader community activities.

10.4 Child Abuse Insurance by funding category

10.5 Our project needs Child Abuse Insurance, what are the requirements?

If your project requires child abuse insurance, your organisation must hold a Child Abuse Insurance Policy with:

• Minimum $5 million per claim.
• Minimum $10 million aggregate coverage. This is in addition to public liability insurance.
• Provide written confirmation from your insurance provider, uploaded with your application. The full insurance policy is required — not just the certificate of currency.

11. How to apply

Applicants must submit a completed online application via the Department’s Grants Portal

• To start a new application, Visit the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants webpage and click on ‘Start a new application’ for your chosen category.
• Log in or create a Grants Portal account.
• You can save and return to your draft, but it must be submitted before the closing date. Access drafts via the Department’s Grants Portal.
• After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If not, contact us with your application reference number.

11.1 Important information for applicants

Third-party grant writers

• You may engage a third-party grant writer or consultant to help prepare your application, but applications must be submitted by the applicant – not by the third party.
• Only the applicant can agree to the funding terms and conditions and must submit the application themselves.
• The Department will communicate only with the applicant’s authorised representative.

GST

• All grants under the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants are paid excluding GST, regardless of whether your organisation is registered for GST.
• This means the grant amount you request must include any GST costs your organisation expects to incur, as payments will not include additional GST.
• These grants are classified as ‘not for a supply’, meaning they are not provided in exchange for goods or services.

12. Due diligence checks

Applicants may be subject to due diligence checks to enable the department to assess financial and other non-financial risks associated with the application.

Such checks may include:

• the potential for reputational risk to the State
• the risk profile, financial viability and management capacity of the applicant’s business over the duration of the proposed activity
• where the proposal has already been fully funded by the applicant through other means
• the delivery performance of other grants contracted with the Victorian Government and whether the applicant has failed to meet key contractual obligations.

Outcomes from such assessments may be taken into account in any decision to recommend or award a grant and in contracting with successful applicants.

The Department may at any time, remove an applicant from the application and assessment process, if in the Department’s opinion, association with the applicant may bring the Department, a Minister or the State of Victoria into disrepute.

13. Conditions that apply to applications and funding

The following conditions together with the detailed conditions of grant will apply to projects for which a grant is provided.

• As part of the application process, an authorised representative of the applicant must accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of grant and these guidelines. By completing the application form the applicant is making an offer to the Department and will be bound by the terms of the offer if accepted by the Department.
• If an application is successful, the Department will notify the applicant’s authorised representative via an Email of Acceptance. This will form an agreement between the applicant and the Department on the terms contained in the application, the Email of Acceptance, these guidelines, and the conditions of grant. An authorised representative of the applicant will need to acknowledge the Email of Acceptance.
• The applicant must complete the project and spend the grant funds within 12 months of acknowledging the Email of Acceptance. Any unspent funds must be returned to the Department.
• Funds must be spent on the project/items as described in the application. Any proposed variation to the approved project must be submitted to the Department for approval prior to implementation or purchase.

Where an auspice arrangement is required

• The auspice organisation must enter into a Grant Agreement with the Department after the Department notifies the relevant applicant that its application is successful.
• The Grant Agreement sets out the commitments and obligations of the parties and the general terms and conditions of funding.
• Different terms and conditions apply to different types of grants and grant recipients. The terms and conditions as set out in the Grant Agreement are not negotiable.

14. Payments

• Successful applicants will receive an Email of Acceptance from the Department.
• An authorised representative will need to acknowledge the Email of Acceptance. In the case of auspice arrangements, successful applicants will receive a Grant Agreement via a letter of offer. An authorised representative of the auspice organisation will need to sign the Grant Agreement.
• Payments of the full grant amount will be made to the nominated bank account as provided in the application form, or the auspice organisation’s nominated bank account provided on the Grant Agreement, within 28 days after the Department sends the Email of Acceptance to the applicant’s nominated email address, or the Department receives a copy of the signed Grant Agreement (for auspice arrangements).
• The Department reserves the right to withhold payment and terminate the agreement if the Email of Acceptance is not acknowledged by the recipient (successful applicants).

Payments will be conditional on:

• Applicants submitting fully completed applications, including completion of the Declaration and Acknowledgement by an authorised representative of the applicant organisation
• Grant recipients providing reports as required, or otherwise demonstrating that the activity is progressing as expected
• Terms and conditions of funding continuing to be met; and
• Grant recipients without an active Australian Business Number providing a completed Australian Tax Office Statement by Supplier not quoting an ABN form indicating that no tax is or will be withheld from any grant payments.

Grant payments made under this program will be provided exclusive of GST, regardless of an applicant’s GST status. If funding will be used to pay expenses attracting GST, the funding application should include all GST that will be payable by the applicant organisation for that supply.

15. Child safe standards

• The Department is a child safe organisation. All engagements with funded organisations and delivery of funded activities and programs must be conducted in a way that complies with the Child Safe Standards.
• This is particularly relevant where funded activities or programs involve children. This may include (but is not limited to):
  • funding arrangements, activities, or programs delivered to children
  • children participating in events that are incidental to the funding agreement
  • children attending events as members of an audience.
• If the successful applicant is an applicable entity under Schedule 1 of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, it must comply with the Child Safe Standards, and appropriate child safety control measures must be implemented during the delivery of the funded activities/program.
• If the successful applicant is not a relevant entity under Schedule 1 of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 and is not required to comply with the Child Safe Standards, it must nonetheless commit to complying with the Child Safe Standards and the Department’s Child Safe-related policies and procedures during the course of the funded activity.
• The Department will take action if a funded organisation does not meet required child safety and wellbeing standards.

16. Acknowledging the government’s support and promoting successes

• The Department requires grant recipients to acknowledge the Victorian Government's support on marketing and promotional materials, which must be approved in advance by the Department. Acknowledgement of the Victorian Government's support in marketing and promotional material will depend on the grant given and will be specified in the Email of Acceptance or Grant Agreement.
• Grant recipients must obtain written approval from the Department before making public announcements about receiving the grant.
• The Department may publicise the benefits accruing to a grant recipient associated with the grant and the State's support for the project, and recipients must cooperate with the Department in promoting the Program. These requirements are outlined in the Email of Acceptance or Grant Agreement. The Department may include the name of the grant recipient and the amount of funding granted in any publicity material and in the Department’s annual report.
• For full details and logos, download the acknowledgement and publicity guidelines for Sport and Recreation Victoria grant recipients.

17. Post project evaluation

• By submitting an application, all grant recipients agree to comply with the Department’s performance monitoring and evaluation procedures.
• Successful recipients through the 2025-26 Regional All Abilities Participation Grants must acquit each approved project to the satisfaction of the Department, to be eligible to apply and receive funding for future rounds of the program. Where a program acquittal (end of project report) has not been completed. The applicant organisation will be ineligible for future grant funding under this program.
• The grant recipient may receive an evaluation survey up to 24-months following the issue of the grant. Program evaluation activities are non-negotiable for recipients of the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants. Non-compliance could impact future applications to the Department’s programs.
• Grant recipients may also be required to contribute information on project outcomes for use in program evaluation reviews and the Department’s marketing materials

18. Compliance and audit

• Applicants (and the auspice organisation if applicable) are subject to a risk assessment, which verifies an organisation’s legal details provided with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Consumer Affairs Victoria and/or other applicable regulator or registrar.
• Grant recipients, including applicants that enter into an Email of Acceptance with the Department and applicants under auspice arrangements where an auspice organisation enters into a Grant Agreement with the Department, will be subject to audit by the Victorian Government or its representatives and may be required to produce evidence of how the grant funding was expended. This request of the Victorian Government may be made for a period of 2 years after the grant has been approved.
• If any information provided in an application to the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants is found to be false or misleading, or grants are not applied for the purposes of the applicant in accordance with the terms of funding as set out in these guidelines and the submitted application, the grant will be repayable on demand.

19. Privacy Statement

• Any personal information provided for the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants will be collected and used by the Department for the purposes of assessing eligibility, program administration, program review and evaluation.
• The Department completes a range of eligibility assessments that may include data matching to clarify the accuracy and quality of information supplied. This is part of our auditing and monitoring processes and for confirming eligibility across this program.
• In the assessment of an application for the program, it may be necessary to share personal information with State and Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, as well as other external experts. If personal information about a third party is included in the application, the applicant must ensure the third party is aware of and consents to the contents of this privacy statement.
• The Department collects demographic information for economic reporting purposes. No personal information is used in reporting; all reports are presented with aggregated data.
• Any personal information about the applicant 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.
• Enquiries about access or correction to your personal information, can be sent to us using our contact form.
• Other concerns regarding the privacy of personal information, can be emailed to the Department’s Privacy Unit at privacy@ecodev.vic.gov.au. The Department’s privacy policy is also available by emailing the Department’s Privacy Unit.

20. Terms of applying

20.1 Department probity and decision-making

• The Victorian Government makes every effort to ensure the grant application and assessment process is fair and undertaken in line with these program guidelines.
• Decisions in recommending and awarding grant funding under the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants are at the Minister’s and Department’s discretion. This includes not making any funding available or approving a lesser amount than that applied for.
• These guidelines and application terms may be changed from time to time, as appropriate.
• The Department may request the applicant provide further information should it be necessary to assess an application to the Program’s policy objectives.

20.2 Applicant conflicts of interest

• A conflict of interest arises where a person makes a decision, or exercises a power in a way that may be, or may be perceived to be, influenced by either material personal interests (financial or non-financial) or material personal associations
• A conflict of interest may arise where a grant applicant:
  • Has a professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who is able to, or may be perceived to, influence the application assessment process, such as a Victorian Government staff member, or
  • Has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicant from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently.
• Applicants must advise the Department of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest relating to a project for which it has applied for funding
• Victorian Government staff are required to act in accord with the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees (Section 61) issued under the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic). This includes an obligation to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible and declare and manage any conflicts of interest that cannot be avoided.

21. Complaints

• If an applicant wants to lodge a complaint about the process for a grant application, requests can be made to the Department by sending a written request to Sport and Recreation Victoria via out contact form.  Applicants must include the application GA reference number to request that the application be reviewed.
• Requests can be made in relation to any of the following:
  • dissatisfaction with the process and/or timeliness of the process
  • communication provided by the Department; or
  • adherence to the published program guidelines.
• The Department aims to respond to all complaints within 28 business days. Re-assessment of an application or overturning of a funding decision for a merit-based grant, will not be considered through the complaints process.
• Once your complaint has been received by the department, it will be acknowledged within 2 business days.