The latest round of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program has opened for 2025/26, with surf clubs up and down the coastline able to apply for funding from a pool of $5.4 million.
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper and Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib announced on Monday 15 September that applications were now open, with funds available to go towards the upgrade, restoration, and construction of Surf Life Saving facilities.
Last season over $5 million was allocated to surf clubs in NSW – major among them grants of $940,000 to Maroubra SLSC for the redevelopment of the surf club, including a new lift, upgraded changerooms, enhanced storage, and fire safety upgrades, and $900,000 to Coogee SLSC to enhance the ground level clubhouse facilities.
Meanwhile, six figure sums were allocated to applications from regional clubs – Coffs Harbour SLSC, Nambucca Heads SLSC and Pacific Palms SLSC – for repair and restoration projects.
In all, 38 clubs benefitted from the most recent round of funding – an increase of nearly 20% on the previous year – and Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM hopes many more can take advantage of the funding this year.
“The funding provided by the NSW Government is vital to ensuring our surf clubs are safe and fit for purpose in what are sometimes extreme weather conditions which take an enormous toll on our club’s facilities,” he said.
“Our membership continues to grow and with more than 83,000 lifesavers and Nippers, providing safe, secure, and accessible facilities for members and the communities they protect is more important than ever.”
Clubs will be able to apply for up to $1,000,000 through the program, with three categories – being Upgrade Projects, Facility Design and Planning Projects and Construction Projects – offering tiered funding support and a streamlined application process.
This year’s program includes grants for design and planning, ensuring surf club projects are supported from concept to completion.
Projects that encourage the participation of women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ are a priority of the Program.
“The weather is heating up and summer is almost here,” Minister Kamper said.
“The Surf Club Facility Program will provide critical funding to our surf life saving clubs to enable them to better protect beachgoers.
“The inclusion of grants for design and planning means clubs are supported from concept to completion and better equipped to apply for funding at later stages of projects.”
Minister Dib said the funding is a vital investment in an important community service.
“Our dedicated volunteers are dusting off their caps for the upcoming patrol season as the NSW Government delivers on its record investment in Surf Life Saving NSW,” he said.
“The $5.4 million in upgrades to be funded through this program will help surf life savers to better protect beach lovers along the entire NSW coastline.
“Coupled with the new and upgraded equipment, additional jet skis, and Emergency Response Beacons funded by the NSW Government, our volunteers are being equipped with the latest modern and safe equipment to continue their incredible work.”
Applications for this round of grants close on differing dates by category. Category 1 applications, being Upgrade Projects, close on 20 October 2025, while Category 2 and 3 applications, being Facility Design and Planning Projects and Construction Projects, close on 10 November 2025.
Tuesday 16 September 2025