National Shed Development Programme

This programme allows men’s sheds and organisations supporting a men’s shed within their community to apply for funds to better respond to local needs.

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

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

The total funding pool is $800,000 (GST exclusive) in the 2018-19 financial year where a funding pool of $400,000 (GST exclusive) per round is allocated across two funding rounds.

Eligible applicants include any community-based organisation that is a legal or registered entity (e.g. an association or incorporated body) that wishes to establish a new shed or improve an existing men’s shed, such as:
- Any men’s sheds
- Lions Club
- Rotary Clubs
- Any other community-based organisation that can specifically offer ‘shed-type’ activities

In circumstances where a sponsoring body is applying for programme funding on behalf of a men’s shed, a Memorandum of Understanding or Partnering Agreement must be in place to show that the particular men’s shed has agreed to the activities proposed within the application form.

Men’s Sheds who wish to apply do not have to be a member of the AMSA.

Eligible ‘shed-type’ activities include:
- 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.
- To manufacture a variety of products including toys, household or garden furniture, Indigenous crafts or wood turned articles.
- Activities that may include gardening, undertaking repairs or restoration such as heritage machinery, bicycle and small engine maintenance and cooking.
- Undertaking 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 and crafts, traditional hunting and fishing.

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

The main assessment criteria include:
- Eligibility (10)
- Need (10)
- Value (10)
- Organisational capacity (i.e. to operate effectively as a men’s shed) (10)
- Risk (10)

To proceed, applicants must achieve a minimum selection criteria score of five for each of the following criteria: eligibility, capacity and risk. The panel will then consider short-listed applicants based on their application.

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. In general the land on which the facility development is proposed will be municipal property, crown reserve, land owned by a public authority or held for public purposes (e.g. trustees).
- 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.