Gaga Ball is one of the most inclusive, high-energy games you can bring into a schoolyard. It gets students moving who wouldn't typically engage in traditional sport, and that makes it a genuinely strong fit for a wide range of government grant programs across Australia.
This guide breaks down what's currently available, who can apply, how much you could receive, and what you need to do to get started. We've focused on confirmed, active programs, because we know your time is too valuable to chase dead ends.
Victoria: Active Schools Framework
The Victorian Government's Active Schools Framework has invested $87.8 million to get students moving. For Victorian government schools, there are three distinct funding streams, and a Gaga Ball Pit is a legitimate use of funds under all three.
Active Schools Grant — $30,000
Each year, 100 Victorian government schools receive a $30,000 grant to implement a whole-school approach to physical activity. Schools are selected based on their SFOE (School Family Occupation and Education) index, eligibility is weighted toward schools in communities experiencing social disadvantage. If your school is eligible, you'll be notified and invited to apply; you can't self-nominate.
Grant funds can be spent on infrastructure and equipment (including playground installations), staff professional development, or engagement with physical activity programs and providers. A Gaga Ball Pit sits squarely within the "supportive school environment" and "active recreation" priority areas of the framework.
What a strong application looks like: Link your proposal directly to the Active Schools Framework and nominate which priority areas the pit will address. Be specific, explain how an inclusive, low-barrier game like Gaga Ball will increase participation among students who currently opt out of sport. Reference the whole-school approach; this isn't just about PE class, it's about lunchtime, before school and after school too.
Active Schools PE and Sport Boost — $3,000
Each year, 300 Victorian government schools receive a $3,000 boost to cover costs related to PE, sport and outdoor education. Again, selection is SFOE-based and schools are notified directly. Eligible uses include purchasing sport and recreational equipment and playground improvements, making it a useful top-up or a starting point for a portable Gaga Pit purchase.
Active Schools Extracurricular Boost — $14,000
This one is worth paying close attention to. Each year, 200 Victorian government secondary, primary/secondary, language and specialist schools receive $14,000 specifically to fund extracurricular sporting and recreational opportunities, with a focus on students who don't participate in traditional sports programs.
This is exactly where Gaga Ball shines. It's fast, simple, requires no prior skill, and consistently draws in students who sit out of football, netball and athletics. If you're a secondary school looking to write a compelling application for this boost, Gaga Ball is one of the easiest cases to make.
Get Active Kids Vouchers — up to $200 per child
While not a school grant, it's worth mentioning to families in your community. Victorian children listed on a current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card are eligible for vouchers of up to $200 toward sport and active recreation costs. Round 10 is expected to open soon (early 2026), check getactive.vic.gov.au for the latest dates and to register for updates.
New South Wales: Community Building Partnership
The NSW Government's Community Building Partnership (CBP) program is the most accessible pathway for school playground upgrades in NSW, with grants between $10,000 and $100,000 available per project and up to $450,000 allocated per electorate.
Who applies: NSW Government schools cannot apply directly. However, your school's P&C (Parents and Citizens) Association can apply on behalf of the school, provided the P&C is an incorporated association registered with NSW Fair Trading. Most P&Cs are already incorporated, but it's worth confirming before you start preparing an application. This is a well-established and commonly used pathway, schools across NSW have successfully used CBP funding for playground equipment through their P&C
What's eligible: Capital works projects and freestanding equipment purchases that deliver positive social, recreational or environmental outcomes for the community. A Gaga Ball Pit, particularly framed around inclusive play and community access, fits this criteria clearly.
What you need to do before applying:
- The P&C must consult with the school principal and get their support
- You will need to obtain formal approval from the NSW Department of Education before any funding can be released, your school's principal can advise on the current internal approval process
- Projects must be shovel-ready, you need to be ready to proceed, not just planning
When: The 2026 round is expected imminently, check the NSW Government website for current dates and be ready to move quickly when it opens. If you're considering applying, now is the time to start conversations with your principal and P&C so you're ready to move quickly when the round opens.
National: Sporting Schools (Australian Government)
The Sporting Schools program is an Australian Government initiative available to primary schools and targeted secondary schools (Years 7–8) nationwide. It funds the delivery of structured sport programs through accredited national sporting organisation partners, before, during or after school hours.
This program is primarily designed for program delivery rather than equipment purchases, so it's best suited to schools wanting to run coached, structured Gaga Ball sessions rather than fund the pit itself. That said, some equipment costs can be included as part of an approved program delivery.
Applications open each school term. For Term 2, 2026 the window ran from 16 February to 6 March 2026. Term 3 and Term 4 dates are yet to be released, check the Australian Sports Commission website and register your school to be notified. A dedicated Remote Sporting Schools program also launched in 2026 for schools in remote and very remote areas.
→ Apply via the Australian Sports Commission
Queensland
Queensland schools have access to a range of state and federal programs for physical activity and playground upgrades, though specific rounds open and close throughout the year. Rather than point you to programs that may have closed, we recommend bookmarking the Queensland Government Grants Finder and checking it regularly, it lists all currently open opportunities in one place.
We're actively tracking Queensland grant opportunities and will update this page when relevant rounds open.
→ Queensland Government Grants Finder
→ Queensland Department of Education Funding and Grants
All States: What to Check Right Now
No matter where you are in Australia, these national resources are worth bookmarking and checking regularly:
GrantConnect — the central federal government grants hub, listing all Commonwealth opportunities currently open for applications.
Sporting Schools — national, open to primary schools and Years 7–8. Term-based applications, check for current dates.
Commonwealth Capital Grants for Non-Government Schools — relevant for independent and Catholic schools seeking capital funding for infrastructure.
Grant Resources by State & Territory
Victoria: Victorian Grants and Programs Directory | Active Schools Funding
New South Wales: Community Building Partnership
Queensland: QLD Grants Finder | QLD Community Grants
South Australia: SA Independent Schools Block Grant Authority
Western Australia: WA Department of Communities Grants | Lotterywest Grants
Tasmania: Tasmanian Grants and Funding Opportunities
Northern Territory: NT Grants Directory
Need a Grant-Ready Quote?
We can make that easy. Our team can provide a grant-ready quote with full GST breakdown, installation costs itemised separately, and product specifications in a format that works for most grant applications. Just get in touch and let us know which grant you're applying for and your timeline, we'll turn it around quickly.