AMSA administers the Australian Government National Shed Development Programme (NSDP) on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Thirty rounds of grants have been completed and a total of $11,838,431.30 (GST excl) has been provided to assist new and existing Sheds. Under the NSDP, the Australian Government has allocated $1,000,000 (GST excl.) in the 2024/2025 financial year- two funding rounds each allocated $500,000 (excl. GST).
Round 31
Round 31 opens on Monday 12 Jan 2026
CLOSES:
Cat 1-4 Friday, 20 February 2026
Cat 5 Friday, 6 March 2026
Round 30 outcomes were announced Monday 8 Dec 2025
Sign up for AMSA’s Grants & Funding Bulletin to be notified about future rounds.
The NSDP is a competitive grants programme and applications are open to all Men’s Sheds across Australia regardless of location or AMSA membership.
The NSDP provides direct financial assistance to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members within the shed environment; support health education for shed members, deliver appropriate activities and programmes, improve facilities and the sustainability of Men’s Sheds across Australia.
To reflect Government policy, priority is given to:
- those Sheds in areas of greatest need e.g. regional, rural and remote and those that engage and meet the needs of members from the designated Priority Groups
- an application can evidence impact on the applicant Shed and/or members of the Shed by a 2025-26 natural disaster (e.g. flood, storm, bushfire).
- Category 3.Priority for funding under Category 3 will be given to:
- New Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old)
- Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding
Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding in the past six rounds- (rounds 25-30).
- Applicants who have not received previous NSDP funding and can demonstrate need and engagement with the Priority Groups:
- Applicants who have previously received funding are still eligible to apply.
- Applicants are required to list all prior funding received and this will form part of the considerations by the Evaluation Panel.
NSDP Categories
Individual Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following five funding categories:
Category One: Health and Wellbeing and Events – up to a maximum of $8000– Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or broadly participate in, an event within their region with a strong health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics.
Category Two: Shed Improvements up to a maximum of $8000– Premises occupied by the Men’s Shed are eligible for funding to undertake improvements, modifications and refurbishment. PLEASE NOTE: the building of a new Men’s Shed is not supported under this Programme.
Category Three: Tools and Equipment – $5,000 maximum – The priority for funding under Category 3 is providing financial support to either a) new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old), b) Men’s Sheds that have not previously
received NSDP funding or c) Men’s Sheds that have not received Category 3 funding in the past six rounds. Tools and equipment are generally aimed at supporting interaction and activities within sheds.
Category Four: Mental health, wellbeing and events – $8000 maximum – Funding can be requested to plan and deliver, or support attendance at, an event with a strong mental health focus, which may also include some Men’s Shed operational topics.
Category Five: Automated External Defibrillators – $2,250 maximum- Men’s Sheds are eligible for funding to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator, where either: the Shed does not currently have a working defibrillator on its premises; or it has a defibrillator that was purchased prior to 2016 (hence is older than 6 years). Applicants that currently have a defibrillator can also apply for replacement batteries and pads that are not under warranty.
Visit NSDP Docs & FAQs for a full description of the funding categories.
Additional information & assistance
Please email [email protected] if you have enquiries about the NSDP programme, preparing your application, the Application Form and application process, items and services that are eligible for funding.
Support is provided to all applicants regardless of their location or membership of AMSA. Programme information is available in the NSDP Manual.
Comprehensive grants information is available in The Men’s Shed Grants Handbook.
All Regional Coordinators are also available to provide support for your application.