NSDP Docs & FAQs

1. Regional Event

Funding can be requested to plan and deliver a regional event that should have a strong health focus and may include some Men’s Shed operational topics. It is recommended that the AMSA Events model/template and Manual (AMSA Resource- The Men’s Shed Gathering and Health Event Manual Jul 2022V4) be used as a guide when planning and delivering a health event.

Sheds will need to show how the proposed event can be undertaken appropriately and safely in line with local restrictions and in an environment where COVID-19 considerations remain paramount.

Compulsory elements for funding for regional events include:

• Delivery of a ‘Spanner in the Works?’ men’s health check program or a similar presentation with a health focus.
• Health related guest speakers, health information sessions/stands, and community services participation.
• Letters of support for the event from at least two (2) regional Men’s Sheds confirming their members’ intention to attend.

Funding requests may also include:

• Transport subsidies (fuel cards) for visiting Men’s Shed members and/or accommodation subsidies. (Note: only available for events of 2 or more days’ duration, for shed members who are required to travel considerable distances and is limited to $500 per grant applicant).
• Catering, venue hire, hire of equipment such as a public address system.
• Auspicing bodies cannot request funds for administration or transport and accommodation costs for these events.

 Please Note:

The AMSA Events Coordinator and Men’s Health Project Officer are available to provide advice and support about planning and delivering potential events. The AMSA has also developed a series of resources to assist you in the planning and delivery of an event. They are available on the AMSA website ‘Shed Resources’ or you can email, and copies will be provided. Please contact AMSA on amsa@mensshed.netor call 1300 550 009.

Building work/improvements to address health and safety such as shade blinds, air conditioning, or dust extraction are not eligible in Category One – these items should be included in Category Two – Shed Improvements requests.

Health and wellbeing equipment may include:

• First Aid kit, eye wash systems.
• Chemical storage cabinets.
• Shed health and safety equipment (e.g. safety signage, fire extinguishers and blankets).
• Test and tag equipment.
• Fitness equipment.
• Computer and IT equipment (to support and facilitate shed-based connectivity, online interaction, and participation in online events).
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)- safety glasses, hearing protection.
• COVID-safe equipment specific to a health and wellbeing event (such as masks and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) where necessary)
• Health and wellbeing training for members may include:
  • First Aid and health related training programmes.
  • Computer and IT training.
  • Defibrillator training (particularly where the shed is applying for a defibrillator).
  • Health and wellness workshops (e.g. wellness workshops/meditation courses, general health courses).
  • Food handling and safety and nutrition training.
  • Men’s Shed health and safety courses such as handling chemicals, test and tag, workshop occupational health and safety and the safe use of machinery.
  • Health and wellbeing resources such as books, handbooks and manuals, DVDs.

Premises occupied by the Men’s Shed are eligible for funding to undertake improvements, modifications and refurbishment including:

• Upgrades to improve the health and safety of the shed environment, such as dust extraction systems, or air filters.
• Construction of disability access ramping, accessible toilet facilities, disability friendly showers, etc.
• Electrical upgrade including additional lighting and/or power points.
• Plumbing upgrades including repair/replacement of toilet facilities.
• Upgrades to or replacement of kitchens to improve hygiene.
• Enclosing outdoor spaces for additional work and or storage areas.
• Materials and equipment to support construction of food growing garden beds.
• Purchasing containers to address storage or lack of workspace.
• Labour/materials to address health and safety issues including disability access.

The priority for funding under Category 3 is providing financial support to new Men’s Sheds (less than 2 years old) and/or Men’s Sheds that have not previously received NSDP funding or have not received funding in the past six rounds (rounds 18-23).

Tools and equipment are generally aimed at supporting interaction and activities within sheds and may include:

• Tools for Men’s Shed activities such as woodwork, metalwork, crafts, gardening.
• Air compressors, power tools, gardening tools, leatherwork tools.
• Equipment to develop/improve areas within the Men’s Shed such as kitchen microwave units, office computer, and filing cabinets.

Please Note: Auspicing bodies applying for the NSDP on behalf of a Men’s Shed must have an MOU/Agreement in place.

1. Regional Event

Funding can be requested to plan and deliver a regional event that should have a strong mental health focus and may include some Men’s Shed operational topics. It is recommended that the AMSA Shed Mates Handbook and the Events model/template and Manual -AMSA Resource- The Men’s Shed Gathering and Health Event Manual Jul 2022 V4 be used as a guide when planning and delivering a mental health event.

Sheds will need to show how the proposed event can be undertaken appropriately and safely in line with local restrictions and in an environment where COVID-19 considerations remain paramount.

Compulsory elements for funding for regional events include:

• Mental health related guest speakers, health information sessions/stands, and community services participation.
• Letters of support for the event from at least two (2) regional Men’s Sheds confirming their members’ intention to attend.

Funding requests may also include:

• Transport subsidies (fuel cards) for visiting Men’s Shed members and/or accommodation subsidies. (Note: only available for events of 2 or more days duration, for shed members who are required to travel considerable distances and is limited to $500 per grant applicant).
• Catering, venue hire, hire of equipment such as a public address system.
• Auspicing bodies cannot request funds for administration or transport and accommodation costs for these events.

 Please Note: The AMSA Events Coordinator and Men’s Health Project Officer are available to provide advice and support about planning and delivering potential events. Please contact AMSA on amsa@mensshed.netor call 1300 550 009.

1. Mental health and wellbeing equipment may include:

• Equipment related to activities to support mental health, e.g., yoga mats, meditation pillows, art therapy materials and supplies
• COVID-safe equipment specific to a mental health and wellbeing event (such as masks and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) where necessary).
• Mental health and wellbeing training for members may include:
• Mental Health First Aid and mental health related training programmes.
• Computer and IT training to support regular interaction and help-seeking behaviour between and of members.
• Mental health and wellness workshops (e.g., mental wellness workshops, meditation and mindfulness courses, yoga classes).
• Mental health and wellbeing resources such as books, handbooks and manuals, DVDs.

Funding now exhausted

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).

Sheds that can meet the eligibility requirement will be able to submit an application at any time, ensuring faster delivery of their defibrillator.

When Round 24 opens, applications for Category 5 need to be submitted using the separate Application Form to the standard NSDP rounds and can be submitted at any time before 30 June 2023. The Application Form for Defibrillators will be found on the AMSA website at https://mensshed.org/development-grants/

 Note – Applications for Defibrillator training need to be made through Category 1 – Health and Wellbeing and Events, subcategory iii. This is suitable for sheds where current users are not proficient in the use of the existing defibrillator.

The NSDP is open to all Men’s Sheds in Australia, regardless of location or AMSA membership.

Successful applications and statistical data is available for all rounds since Round 24 (2016). See NSDP Round Outcomes.

Step 1: Compliance Check

– An initial assessment determines whether the application complies with the National Shed Development Programme Funding Guidelines. This includes:
• Postmarked on or before the closing date or sent electronically by the due date
• The applicant is a legal or registered entity -ASIC check
• Adequate content is provided to enable the Panel to make a reasonable assessment.
• Incomplete applications will be eliminated
• Two quotes from suppliers of goods and services attached
• Appropriate insurance Certificate of Currency attached
• Shed Improvements: a proposed site plan, quotes from qualified professionals, building permits, information on the ownership of the premises with written consent attached
• Memorandum of Understanding or Auspicing Agreement (if applicable)
• Signed by a person with delegation of authority
• For non AMSA members, Attachment A has been completed.

Step 2: Eliminated Applications
The Evaluation Panel may eliminate an application from further consideration and reasons documented e.g. the application was received after the nominated closing date.

Step 3: Preparation of Applicant Spreadsheet
– Information provided by applicants will be entered onto a master database.
– All future correspondence regarding Round 19 will be sent to the Main Contact and Men’s Shed Contact nominated in the application.

Step 4: Calculation of Initial Score and ranking
– Using 2011 ABS data provided by the Department and Priority Group responses from the applicant, an Initial Score will be allocated
– Applications will then be ranked.

Step 5: The Evaluation Process
The Evaluation Panel will have 3-5 weeks to undertake the evaluation of applications dependent on agreed timelines.
Evaluation Panel Assessment- The Panel will initially assess the following before considering the other aspects of the application: Eligibility, Need, Value, Organisational capacity (i.e.to operate effectively as a Men’s Shed) and Risk
Applications can be eliminated from further consideration at this point and reasons documented.

Please Note: to proceed, applicants must achieve a minimum Selection Criteria score of 5 for each of the following criteria: Eligibility, Capacity and Risk. Do not leave these sections blank as you will receive a zero score and be eliminated.

Short-listing
– Assessed on ranking which is based ABS/Remoteness/Priority Groups + selection criteria score
– Applicants who have a lower score may be placed into a reserve pool for consideration by the Panel if required.
– The Panel will then consider short-listed applicants based on their application.
– Factors considered by the Panel include:
• Demonstrated need and levels of disadvantage
• Services/items requested
• Category/categories in which applicant has been successful in previous rounds
• The number of rounds in which the applicant has been successful
• The overall level of NSDP funding previously received by the applicant
• The applicant’s efforts in sourcing other funding/fundraising

Recommendations for funding are made by the Panel and lodged with the Department
• The Australian Government Department of Health reviews and examines the recommendations made by the Panel. The Department has the authority to review and change recommendations based on funding criteria and departmental priorities
• Final recommendations are submitted to the Minister by the Department of Health
• Successful applicants are informed and results are announced via a media release from the Minister.

The priorities for the NSDP include:

• Requests that address health and wellbeing and events
• Men’s Sheds in areas of greatest need
• Men’s Sheds who engage with and have membership from the 12 priority groups
• 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 and will be required to list all prior funding received – this will form part of the considerations by the Evaluation Panel.

Please Note: applicants who have previously received funding are still eligible to apply.

The 12 Priority Groups for whom Men’s Sheds provide activities:

• Males not in work
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males
• Socially disadvantaged
• Isolated males
• Males with a disability
• Males with a mental illness (e.g. Depression)
• Migrant males
• Males living in rural and remote areas
• Defence veterans
• Males suffering alcohol abuse
• Males suffering drug abuse
• Males who need support due to relationship issues

• Building a new shed/facility is not supported under this programme.
• Funds to support a designated co-ordinator or organisational office bearer expenses.
• Utility expenses such as electricity, telephone, internet etc.
• The purchase, leasing and associated maintenance of vehicles.
• Sponsoring bodies requests to reimburse their organisational expenses – the grant funds are for those expenses incurred directly by the Men’s Shed project.
• Sponsoring bodies requests to fund staff training expenses
• Sponsoring bodies requests to fund their organisational staff expenses.
• Sponsoring bodies requests to apply an administration fee.
• Individual projects requiring ongoing funding.
• The purchase of land.
• Repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the act is covered by insurance.
• Additional funding for Men’s Sheds that have already received substantial funding from governments for similar applications and for which need is not identified.

Individual Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following three funding categories:
– Category One Health and Wellbeing and Events Max $8,000
– Category Two Shed Improvements Max $8,000
– Category Three Equipment Max $5,000

As of Round 24 of the NSDP, two new categories have been added:

Category 4- Mental Health, Wellbeing and Events- $8,000 maximum-to support applications for activities/items with a specific focus on promoting good mental health and wellbeing for shed members.

Under Category 5-Defibrillators-$2,250 maximum- Men’s Sheds seeking funding to purchase a defibrillator will be able to apply at any time before 30 June 2023, ensuring faster delivery of their defibrillator.

Some items/materials may appear to fit within more than one category. If you are unsure, please contact amsa@mensshed.net for clarification.

• 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 up to a maximum of $5,000-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 5-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).
• More comprehensive details are available in the NSDP Guidelines .
• How to obtain additional support, information or assistance- Please email amsa@mensshed.net if you have enquiries about the NSDP programme, preparing your application, the Application Form and application process, items/services that are eligible for funding.
• Support is provided to all applicants regardless of their location or membership of AMSA.

Sponsoring body expenses- Note: Sponsoring bodies cannot request funds to reimburse their organisational expenses or charge an administration fee- the grant funds are for those expenses incurred directly by the Men’s Shed.

Combination funding request- Applicants can include all requests across the three categories onto one Application Form

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.

Applicants will have 6 weeks in which to complete and lodge their application