Active Industry Fund TAS

Purpose and Program Overview

The Active Industry Fund is a Tasmanian Government grant program administered by Active Tasmania, on behalf of Building Tasmania and the Crown in Right of Tasmania. The Fund provides multi-year investment to peak sport and active recreation organisations, with the objective of increasing and improving participation outcomes for Tasmanians. It supports organisations to strengthen governance, deliver safe and inclusive programs, and build the capability of the sector’s coaches, officials, and volunteers.

A total funding pool of $4,880,000 is available across the 2027 and 2028 calendar years. Successful applicants receive funding over a two-year period, delivered as two instalments, one in each funding year.

Rather than a general business grant, the Fund is designed specifically for the peak bodies that deliver statewide sport and active recreation opportunities in Tasmania. It aligns with the priorities of the She moves. She leads. She belongs. Tasmanian Women and Girls Sport Strategy 2026–2032, reflecting a strong sector-wide focus on increasing participation and leadership opportunities for women and girls.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $80,000 to $240,000 over two years for State Sporting Organisations (SSOs), State Disability Sporting Organisations (SDSOs), State Active Recreation Providers (SARPs), and National Sporting/Disability Sporting Organisations (NSOs/NDSOs) operating in a unitary structure in Tasmania, based on funding tier. State Sector Service Providers (SSSPs) can receive discretionary funding of up to $100,000 over two years.
• Applications open: 2 September 2026
• Applications close: 2:00 pm, 14 October 2026
• Outcomes notified: December 2026 (estimated)
• Funding period: 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028
• Eligible organisation types: SSOs, SDSOs, SARPs, NSOs/NDSOs, and SSSPs
• Co-contribution: Not stated as a mandatory requirement in the program guidelines
• Location/applicability: Tasmania only. Funding must be spent in Tasmania, and applicants must provide services across the North, North-West, and South of the state.

Priority Sectors

The Fund is open to organisations across the sport and active recreation sector broadly, rather than being limited to specific sports. However, the guidelines set a clear priority on initiatives that increase participation, leadership, and inclusive environments for women and girls, in line with the state’s Women and Girls Sport Strategy 2026–2032. Programs addressing safety, accessibility, and reduced barriers to participation for underrepresented groups are also highlighted as priority activities.

Funding Scope

• Tiered funding (SSOs, SDSOs, SARPs, NSOs, NDSOs), based on Full and Program Member numbers recorded in the Tasmanian Sport Census:

Funding TierRegistered MembersTotal Funding (over two years)

Tier 1 More than 4,000 $240,000

Tier 2 1,800–3,999 $175,000

Tier 3 700–1,799 $110,000

Tier 4 100–699 (or under 100 for SDSOs/NDSOs) $80,000

• Discretionary funding (SSSPs): Up to $100,000 over two years, assessed competitively.
• Funding structure: Funding is not stream-based by project type (e.g. feasibility versus capital works). Instead, it is allocated by organisation type and tier, and can be applied to a combination of project and operational expenses.
• Payment schedule: 50 per cent of the funding amount is paid as an initial instalment for 2027 activities, with the remaining 50 per cent paid after January 2028 for 2028 activities, subject to reporting and eligibility conditions being met.
• Funding duration: Two calendar years (2027 and 2028).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicant organisations must generally:

• Be an incorporated association or a not-for-profit company registered under company law.
• Have met all reporting obligations for previous Active Tasmania grants or funding agreements
• Prepare an annual report and annual financial statements.
• Ensure all funding is expended within Tasmania.
• Comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework
• Provide services across the North, North-West, and South of Tasmania.
• Maintain a board or committee with at least 40 per cent women and/or gender-diverse directors.

Additional requirements apply depending on organisation type, including completion of the Tasmanian Sport Census (SSOs, SDSOs, SARPs, NSOs, NDSOs), compliance with the National Integrity Framework, access to Member Protection Information Officers, and having staff based in Tasmania.

Ineligible applicants include individuals and sole traders, schools and educational organisations, local government authorities, sport or recreation clubs that are not the recognised state or national body, organisations already funded for a similar purpose under a separate Tasmanian Government agreement, and for-profit private or commercial enterprises.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Funding may support activities aligned with the Program’s Key Performance Indicators, such as:

• Development and implementation of participation and retention plans
• Programs that increase participation, leadership, and inclusion for women and girls
• Governance improvements, including completion of Game Plan modules and updated policies or constitutions
• Education, training, and accreditation for coaches, officials, and volunteers
• Integrity and child safety compliance initiatives
• For SSSPs: expanding or improving the quality of services delivered to the sport and active recreation sector

Ineligible expenditure includes conducting major events, developing elite players, attending or hosting state, national, or international championships, and facility development.

Assessment Process

The assessment approach differs by organisation type:

• SSSPs: Applications are assessed competitively, given the limited funding pool. Key criteria include the alignment of proposed activities with the Program Objective and KPIs, and the anticipated number of organisations or participants that will benefit.
• SSOs, SDSOs, SARPs, NSOs, NDSOs: This stream operates on a largely entitlement basis. Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria and outline appropriate initiatives against the KPIs will generally be successful, with the funding amount determined by tier.
• All applicants: Active Tasmania may limit funding for organisations with a poor record of meeting past funding or acquittal obligations, and may allocate reduced or introductory funding where full eligibility criteria are not met.

Recent Program Updates

This is a new funding round covering the 2027–2028 period, with guidelines published on 2 September 2026. The round is closely aligned with the newly introduced She moves. She leads. She belongs. Tasmanian Women and Girls Sport Strategy 2026–2032, reflected in the Program’s KPIs on women’s and girls’ participation and leadership.

Application Tips

• Confirm your organisation type (SSO, SDSO, SARP, NSO/NDSO, or SSSP) and check the specific eligibility requirements that apply
• Complete the Tasmanian Sport Census before applying, where required, as membership data determines your funding tier
• Prepare an up-to-date annual report and annual financial statements in advance
• Ensure governance documentation, including board composition and integrity policies, meets the stated thresholds
• Align proposed activities clearly with the Program’s Key Performance Indicators and the Women and Girls Sport Strategy
• Allow sufficient time to complete the SmartyGrants application before the 2:00 pm, 14 October 2026 deadline, as late applications are not accepted

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Active Industry Fund and other associated Tasmanian and Australian government websites.