The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open non-competitive process to apply to deliver services under the Outcome 1, Program 1.2: Support reliable, secure and affordable energy. The Game on: Teaming up for climate action (the Program) will deliver $35.262 million over 2 funding rounds and will run over 3 years from 2026–27 to 2028–29. The program was announced as part of the Support for the Net Zero Plan. The program will provide support for up to 500 community sports clubs, helping them upgrade their facilities to be more climate resilient and energy efficient.

Eligible sporting clubs will be able to apply for one-off grants of up to $100,000. Groups of clubs can also apply together. This allows funding to support upgrades across multiple clubs.

Applications may close earlier than 28 July 2026 if funding capacity has been exceeded.

The objectives of the program are:
– Support up to 500 community sports clubs to decarbonise their operations and reduce energy bills through energy efficiency, electrification and climate resilience upgrades
– Increase awareness and understanding of energy efficiency, electrification and climate adaptation activities among sports club members and their communities
– Support emissions abatement to contribute to Australia’s target to reduce emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035.

To be eligible, your grant project must meet all of the following:
– Be aimed at improving the energy efficiency and/or climate resilience of a community sports club facility in Australia, can demonstrate how it can help people get involved in the shift to clean energy and show communities how climate change affects their everyday lives
– Have at least $25,000.00 in eligible expenditure
– Cooperate with all reasonable requests from any third-party service delivery partner/s engaged by the department to communicate project messages and outcomes.

Eligible grant activities must directly relate to the grant project and can include:
– Activities that improve energy efficiency across facilities, equipment, and buildings, including upgrading systems and installing renewable or efficient technologies. For example: conducting an energy audit and installing solar PV with battery storage, or upgrading LED lighting and improving HVAC systems
– Activities that strengthen climate resilience across facilities and operations, including risk assessment, water and energy management, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable transport and materials practices. For example: developing a climate action plan and upgrading drainage to prevent flooding, or installing disaster resilient infrastructure and adding bike parking facilities
– Activities that support related communication and education through media and promotional materials. For example:­ creating educational signage to promote key messages.

To be eligible you must:
– Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
– Have an account with an Australian financial institution.

To be eligible to apply as an individual sports club, you must be one of the following entity types:
– Company
– Cooperative
– Incorporated Association
– Indigenous Corporation
– School or tertiary education institution, but only if the project meets the additional eligibility requirements for this entity type in section 4.2.

To be eligible to apply as a lead organisation of a small consortium, you must be one of the following entity types:
– Company
– Cooperative
– Corporate State or Territory Entity
– Statutory Entity
– Incorporated Association
– Indigenous Corporation
– Local government
– Non-corporate State or Territory Entity (ONLY for Australian Capital Territory)
– School or tertiary educational institution, but only if the project meets the additional eligibility requirements for this entity type in section 4.2.

To be eligible to apply as a lead organisation of a large consortium, you must be one of the following entity types:
– Company
– Cooperative
– Corporate State or Territory Entity (but not if you are a Local Government)
– Statutory Entity
– Incorporated Association
– Indigenous Corporation
– Non-corporate State or Territory Entity (ONLY for Australian Capital Territory)
– School or tertiary educational institution, but only if the project meets the additional eligibility requirements for this entity type in section 4.2.

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider’s website.