AMSA administers the Australian Government National Shed Development Programme (NSDP) on behalf of the Department of Health and Aged Care. Twenty four rounds of grants have been completed and a total of $7,681,285.30 (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 2021/2022 financial year- two funding rounds each allocated $500,000 (excl. GST).
Round 25 is now closed.
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
- applications requesting events/improvements/equipment with a strong health, wellbeing or safety emphasis, in acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of sheds in the recovery period (and beyond).
- IT equipment and training to facilitate connectivity.
- Defibrillators
The Departmental priorities for the NSDP include:
- Applications evidencing a strong health/safety intent in acknowledgement of the heightened importance of these factors during the period of COVID-19 recovery.
- IT equipment and training to facilitate connectivity.
- Defibrillators and associated training for eligible sheds.
- Men’s Sheds that provide services in areas of greatest need, in particular to individuals and/or communities experiencing levels of disadvantage.
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-assistance with costs incurred for the delivery of men’s health screening programmes, activities that advance health and well-being of their male members, costs to attend health focussed events and education programmes, planning and delivery of regional Men’s Health events, health and safety equipment and resources
Category Two: Shed Improvements up to a maximum of $8000– funding to be used for improvements, modifications or refurbishment to an existing building or space to allow for the operation of the Men’s Shed. 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 focus in Category Three is providing financial support to new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old) and those Men’s Sheds that can who can clearly demonstrate a high need.
Category Four: Mental health and wellbeing and events – $8000 maximum-assistance with costs incurred for the delivery of men’s Mental health activities that advance health and well-being of their male members, costs to attend events and education programmes, planning and delivery of regional Men’s Mental Health events, equipment and resources.
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). Funding now exhausted.
Visit NSDP Docs & FAQs for a full description of the funding categories.
Additional information & assistance
Please email amsa@mensshed.net 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. Comprehensive 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.