Your sports club could get up to $100,000 for solar, batteries and EV chargers under a new Federal Government grant. Here's everything you need to know.
What is this grant?
The federal government is handing out between $25,000 and $100,000 to community sports clubs across Australia to help them cut their energy bills and make their facilities more climate-resilient.
The program is called Game on: Teaming up for climate action, and it's part of Australia's commitment to reaching net zero. A total of $35.2 million is available across two funding rounds — and Round 1 opens this June.
The government is hoping to support up to 500 clubs nationally. That's not a lot, which is why getting your application in early matters.
Does my club qualify?
This is the most important question, so let's go through it carefully.
Your club likely qualifies if:
- You are a not-for-profit, community-focused sports club
- You have an ABN and an Australian bank account
- Your club is structured as a company, incorporated association, cooperative, or indigenous corporation (most registered clubs are)
- You are affiliated with a recognised state or national sporting body — for example, if you're affiliated with your state's football association, bowls federation, cricket association, netball association, or similar
Your facilities are used to deliver community sport at the grassroots level.
Your club likely does NOT qualify if:
- You are a for-profit business or private entity
- Your facility is primarily a licensed venue, RSL club, or gaming/poker machine venue — the grant explicitly excludes areas used for licensed bars and gaming machines
- You are an unincorporated association, sole trader, or partnership
- You have outstanding compliance issues with previous Commonwealth grants
- Your organisation is on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency non-compliant list
Not sure? Book a meeting with a member of our commercial team. We help clubs work through eligibility every day and can give you a quick answer.
What sports are prioritised?
The government has named a list of priority sporting codes that will receive more than 50% of the total funding pool. If your club plays one of these sports, you're in a strong position:
- AFL (Australian football)
- Cricket
- Football / Soccer
- Basketball
- Netball
- Rugby league
- Tennis
- Golf
- Athletics / track and field
- Gymnastics
- Surf lifesaving
Don't play one of the above? You can still apply. The other 50% of funding is open to all other sports — bowls, hockey, swimming, rugby union, softball, and more. You're just competing in a slightly smaller pool, so a strong application matters even more.
What can the money actually be spent on?
The grant is specifically for energy efficiency and climate resilience upgrades to your facility. Here's what's covered:
- Energy efficiency:
- Solar PV systems and battery storage (including installation, switchboard upgrades, and roof strengthening to support panels
- LED lighting upgrades for courts, fields, and clubhouses
- Heat pumps for pool heating and hot water
- HVAC system upgrades
- Building insulation, glazing, and draught sealing
- Electrification of gas cooking equipment
- Climate resilience:
- Drainage upgrades to prevent flooding
- Shade structures over playing areas, spectator stands, and carparks
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- EV charging infrastructure
- Disaster-resilient roofing and backup power systems
- Climate risk assessments and sustainability plans
- Communication:
- Educational signage related to your energy or climate project
What can you actually buy for $25,000-$100,000?
Here are some examples of what typical grants could fund for a community club. Note these are not quotes, but rough estimates based on current equipment pricing.
At the $25,000–$40,000 level:
-
A mid-sized rooftop solar system (30–50kW) for a clubhouse — enough to significantly offset daytime energy use during training and events
-
An energy audit plus solar feasibility study, with funds left over for initial works
-
A smaller solar system (20kW-30kW) plus a basic battery system to store solar energy and reduce peak demand charges
-
A small commercial battery for back-up power
At the $50,000–$75,000 level:
At the $75,000–$100,000 level:
A comprehensive solar and battery storage system sized for a busy club with evening events and large fridges/bar areas
- A 50-70kW solar system with a small battery plus EV chargers - a complete energy upgrade in one project
- A solar carpark shade structure over a small carpark, providing significant solar generation and all-weather covered parking for members
Remember: the grant covers up to 100% of eligible costs, so every dollar of grant funding goes directly into your upgrade, not towards administration or wages.
What can the grant NOT pay for?
Just as important to know, this grant cannot cover:
- Wages or staff costs of club employees
- Work that has already started. Nothing can begin before the grant agreement is signed (expected around November 2026)
- Gas-to-gas or electric-to-gas conversions, or diesel generators
- Cosmetic work like new floors, decorative signage, furniture, TVs, or computers
- Sporting equipment, apparel, or scoreboards
- Land purchase, vehicles, or general operational costs
- Routine maintenance: this is for upgrades, not repairs
How much can we apply for - and can clubs team up?
Individual clubs can apply for between $24,000 and $100,000.
But here's something many clubs don't know: you can apply as a group. The grant allows consortium applications, where multiple clubs apply together under one lead organisation:
Small consortium: 2–10 clubs, up to $100,000 per club (maximum $1,000,000 total)
Large consortium: 11–20 clubs, up to $100,000 per club (maximum $2,000,000 total)
This is a great option for:
- A sporting association applying on behalf of several member clubs
- A group of clubs that share grounds or a precinct
- Regional clubs that want to pool resources and submit a stronger application
One important note - if you're part of a successful consortium in Round 1, all members become ineligible for Round 2.
What's the process from here?
Here's what you need to do to take advantage of this grant:
- Decide what you’re interested in applying for
- If it’s solar, battery and/or EV chargers, reach out to us for a reliable quote
- Submit your application from 11 June 2026 and before 8 July 2026
- Assessments will take place in August 2026
- Approvals will be announced in September 2026 and grant agreements signed in November 2026
- Works can begin from November 2026 and must be completed by 30 March 2028
You'll apply online at grants.gov.au through the GrantConnect portal. The application asks you to address assessment criteria around energy impact, community benefit, and project design, so you’ll need to gather that info first.
What documents do you need to apply?
Start gathering these now:
- Evidence of site ownership or authority to carry out works at the facility (a mandatory template is provided)
- Quotes for your proposed works (at least one quote per item)
- Proof of affiliation with your state or national sporting body (a letter, a web link listing your club, or an official confirmation)
- If applying as a consortium: letters of support from each member club (mandatory template provided)
- If your club is a Trust, you’ll need the Trust deed and any variations
How can we help?
At Smart Commercial Energy, we specialise in exactly the types of upgrades this grant is designed to fund — solar, battery storage, EV charging, and solar carpark shade structures.
We can help your club:
- Assess your site and identify the right system for your energy needs and roof space
- Prepare detailed quotes that meet the grant's documentation requirements
- Right-size your system to make the most of your grant funding
- Talk you through the process so your application gives you the best chance of success
We can't write your grant or guarantee you'll receive it, but we can make sure your technical scope and quotes are solid, which is often what makes or breaks an application.
Get in touch today.