National Shed Development Programme

This programme aims to allow men's sheds and organisations supporting a men's shed within their community to apply for funds to better respond to local needs. For the purposes of this programme, a 'men's shed' can be a purpose built facility, a multipurpose community or private building or shared space used on a regular basis for the purposes of a men's shed.

The programme seeks to provide direct financial assistance to:
- Assist to address the health and wellbeing of the shed members.
- Support health improvements through a focus on the social determinants of health through national activities in relation to key population groups such as men.
- Deliver appropriate activities and programmes.
- Improve facilities and the sustainability of men's sheds across Australia.

There are three categories of funding available:
- Category 1 (Health and Wellbeing and Events): Up to $8,000
- Category 2 (Shed Improvements): Up to $8,000
- Category 3 (Equipment): Up to $5,000

A total funding pool of $1 million is available for 2019-20, allocated equally for the two funding rounds.

The 2019-20 funding round dates are:
- Round 19: Opened 17 June and closed 19 July 2019
- Round 20: Opens 27 January and closes 28 February 2020.

Eligible applicants include community-based organisations such as men's sheds, service clubs, health services or any other relevant community-organisation who wishes to establish/improve an existing men's shed.

Applicants must be a registered legal entity. If the men's shed is not a registered legal entity, an overseeing sponsor body that is a legal or registered entity can act on its behalf and submit an application.

The applicant is not required to be a member of the Australian Men's Sheds Association (AMSA).

Eligible activities can be:
- Where the primary activity is the provision of a safe, friendly and inclusive environment where males are able to gather together and/or work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time and in the company of other males.
- Activities may include gardening, woodturning, metalwork, repairs, restoration (e.g. heritage machinery, bicycle and small engine maintenance, computers and cooking, community projects).
- Participation in training programmes such as first aid and computers.
- Participation in activities that advance the health and well-being of their male members.
- Engagement in traditional and cultural activities such as art, craft, traditional hunting and fishing.

These activities may not necessarily be conducted within a specific facility known as a ‘men's shed' but in a meeting place designated and known as a men's group.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the list of the complete list of priority groups and eligible activities for each category.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Eligibility (10 points)
- Need (10 points)
- Value (10 points)
- Organisational capacity (10 points)
- Risk (10 points)

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- The building of a new shed/facility.
- Funds to support a designated co-ordinator.
- Sponsoring bodies requests to reimburse their organisational expenses – the grant funds are for those expenses incurred directly by the men’s shed project.
- Individual projects requiring ongoing funding from AMSA.
- 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 shed components that have already received substantial funding from government.