Safe Shooting Program

Key objectives

The Program aims to enhance sport shooting facilities across New South Wales in order to provide safe, inclusive and accessible shooting environments for local communities.

The key objectives of the Program are:   

• Improve the quality and safety of existing shooting facilities across New South Wales
• Remove barriers to participation in sport and recreation for everyone but particularly for women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ people
• Increase utilisation of existing shooting facilities

Funding availability

The NSW Government has allocated up to $800,000 for this Program in 2025/26.

An applicant may submit up to two applications, however the maximum amount of funding that can be awarded to any one organisation is $50,000. 

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants are: 

• NSW incorporated, community based not-for-profit shooting organisations (clubs and associations) that are approved by the NSW Firearms Registry.
• Shooting ranges in NSW approved and administered by the NSW Firearms Registry.
• NSW State Sporting Organisations relevant to the sport of shooting including NSW Amateur Pistol Association, NSW Clay Target Association and NSW Rifle Association. 

Ineligible applicants

Ineligible applicants are any organisation types not listed in the ‘Eligible Applicants’ section, and include (but are not limited to): 

• Individuals
• Schools, TAFEs, and Universities
  • Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations Private enterprises (companies established under the Corporations Act 2001, incorporated associations established under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) or incorporated limited partnerships established under the Partnership Act 1892 (NSW).
• Government departments and agencies
• NSW Regional Academies of Sport
  • Regional Joint Organisations of councils, the Lord Howe Island Board and the Unincorporated Far West groups.
• NSW Office of Sport recognised NSW State Sporting Organisations (including National Sporting Organisations where the state body is part of a unitary governance model) outside of the sport of shooting.
• Organisation named: (i) by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of institutions that have not joined or signified their intent not to join the Scheme; or (ii) in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that has not yet joined the National Redress Scheme. 

Eligible projects

Applications must be limited to constructing new or enhancing existing shooting facilities and new or upgraded firearms equipment. 

Eligible projects are new or upgraded firearms equipment or facilities. Eg; to meet Workplace Health & Safety standards or comply with NSW Firearms Registry directives, and include:

Ineligible projects 

Projects or components that do not meet the criteria outlined in the 'Eligible Projects' section are considered ineligible. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Costs for the purchase or lease of land/facility
• Costs associated with preparing and submitting the application under this Program
• Project administration costs and costs for the ongoing operation of the facility
• Costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages including feasibility studies, business cases and masterplans
• Costs for items that do not meet relevant Australian standards
• Related to administrative or operational expenditure which are normally the responsibility of businesses, state agencies or local councils
• Facilities where little or no public access is available
• On private land unless there is clear public benefit to the community’s interest in sport and active recreation and have documented consent from the landowner
• Projects related to buying or upgrading non fixed equipment (e.g., computers, including tablets, office goods, clothing and footwear, ride-on mowers and All-Terrain Vehicles)
• Office furniture, printers, photocopiers etc
• Medical equipment (e.g., defibrillators, first aid)
• Ancillary infrastructure e.g. car parks, car shelters/carports, driveways, roads, car shelters/carports or accommodation
• Retrospective funding, where projects have commenced construction or are completed prior to the execution of a funding agreement.
• Projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless significant new and additional project scope is identified
• General maintenance or replacement through normal wear and tear (e.g., painting, running costs and minor repairs to existing facilities)
• Repair of facilities where the damage can be covered by insurance
• For the building or upgrade of licensed areas and gaming areas
• Insurance of any type (player, public liability, general liability, etc)

Project budgets should not include any ineligible costs, and these will be removed by assessors if included, at the absolute discretion of the Office of Sport.

Application process

Step 1: Check your eligibility

• See Eligible Applicants section of these Guidelines to see which organisations can apply for funding
• If you are not eligible, you may be able to partner with an eligible organisation, although they will need to be the applicant organisation and submit the application

Step 2: Understand the requirements

• Before you apply, please read these guidelines and related materials to make sure you understand all relevant requirements, including whether you are eligible to apply.
• You can find the relevant information on this webpage: Safe Shooting Program

Step 3: Prepare your application

• Gather your evidence including letters of support, funding commitments, development approvals/exemptions, images, plans, quotes, participation data etc.
• Consider using the SmartyGrants tool, SmartyFile. The tool allows organisations to collaborate with team members, pre-fill information into forms and manage, view, search and sort submissions across multiple funders in one spot. Applicants with an ABN can use this function.

Step 4: Submit your application

• Applying for a grant is a simple process using the SmartyGrants platform.
• The Office of Sport recommends that applicants familiarise themselves with the online application form ahead of preparing the application and plan to submit ahead of the closing date to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
• Complete your application by filling in each of the sections. The SmartyGrants portal will not accept submission of an application unless all mandatory documents have been uploaded.
• Submit your application as soon as possible and before the closing date and time.  
• You will be asked to declare that “The responses in this application and all supporting documents provided are to the best of my knowledge true and correct”. The application may be deemed ineligible if the application contains false or misleading statements.
• Projects must be submitted through the SmartyGrants website to be considered eligible.
• Successful submissions will be issued with a SmartyGrants system generated acknowledgement email containing a PDF copy of the application which will confirm the time the application was submitted.

Late applications

• Late applications can only be made where an applicant has started an application in SmartyGrants prior to the closing date/time.
• If for any reason you are not able to lodge your application on time, you must contact the Office of Sport within 1 hour after the closing date/time.
• A late application will only be considered where its acceptance would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process. The final determination on whether a late application will be accepted will be made by the Grant Assessment Panel supported by an independent probity advisor. 

Late supporting documentation

• If any document is not available prior to the closing date/time and you would like to submit this for consideration you must contact infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au Any decision in relation to the acceptance of late supporting documentation will be at the absolute discretion of the Office of Sport.
• Late supporting documentation will only be accepted for applications already submitted in SmartyGrants before the closing date and time and will only be considered where its acceptance would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process.
• The final determination on whether a late supporting documentation will be accepted will be made by the Grant Assessment Panel supported by an independent probity advisor. 

Supporting documents

• Program Guidelines (PDF, 860.96 KB)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• State/National Sporting Organisation Statement of Support Form (PDF, 169.15 KB)
• Landowner Consent Form (PDF, 120.52 KB)
• Funding Agreement Template (PDF, 264.92 KB)

Apply now
 

Contact us

Please email infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions about the application process.

Past Recipients

Safe Shooting Grant Recipients 2024-25

Safe Shooting Program 2022-23 grant recipients