Telstra Footy Grants

Applications for Round 1 are now open and the following dates represent a cut-off for when applications are considered. For example, if you were to miss Round 1, you can still apply; however, the outcome of your application won't be known until after the Round 2 closure date.

• Round 1: Monday 1st December 2025 to 11:59pm (AEDT) Sunday 1st February 2026
• Round 2: Monday 2nd February to 11:59pm (AEST) Thursday 2nd April 2026
• Round 3: Friday 3rd April to 11:59pm (AEST) Sunday 24th May 2026
• Round 4: Monday 25th May to 5pm (AEST) Thursday 23rd July 2026

Application outcomes will be provided via email and you should expect to receive an update at:

• Round 1: Week of Monday 2nd March 2026
• Round 2: Week of Monday 4th May 2026
• Round 3: Week of Monday 22nd June 2026
• Round 4: Week of Monday 17th August 2026

On September 14, 2023, it was announced that Telstra and the AFL are launching an initiative that will support community football clubs by establishing the Telstra Footy Fund that will provide $2M per year for four years to meet the needs of community footy clubs all across Australia.

Read more on the initiative’s announcement, here.

1. Grow and assist volunteer capacity

• Undertaking short courses in electronic bookkeeping, governance, barista, RSA, first aid/sports training course, food handling (75% of total cost up to $1,000)
• Improving club financial practices:
  • Electronic POS systems (75% of total cost up to $1,500)
• Items to ease the workload on volunteers:
  • Line-markers (75% of total cost up to $2,000)
  • Ice machine (75% of total cost up to $1,500)
  • Replace manual scoreboard to an electronic fixed scoreboard (50% of total cost up to $20,000)
  • Replace manual scoreboard to an electronic portable scoreboard (50% up to $10,000)
• Items required to modify ovals for junior football or NINES competitions, this may include moveable goal posts, cones to define boundaries and additional goal umpire flags (75% of total cost up to $1,500)
• Items which improve the safety of the environment
  • Goal post padding (75% of total cost up to $1,000)
  • Defibrillators (75% of total cost up to $2,000)
  • PA systems (75% of total cost up to $2,000)
  • Behind the goal netting where there is demonstrated safety concern, i.e balls escape onto a busy main road or down a steep embankment (50% of total cost up to $20,000)
• Other initiatives recommended by State AFL body to grow and assist volunteer capacity (75% of total cost up to $5,000)

2. Grow and Diversify Participation

• Start-up costs associated with the establishment of new or amalgamated clubs (Total costs up to $15,000)
• New girls teams in age groups up to under 12’s (Total costs up to $2,000). This is only available for one (1) team per club per year.
• Grants of up to $500 per participant (capped at $5,000) are available to promote increased participation among multicultural communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals of all abilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This may include, but is not limited to, club attire, registration fees and boots.
  • Indigenous or Pride themed items (eg. Jumpers, socks, banners or other apparel/merchandise) where a club demonstrates additional education or awareness are delivered, for example hosting a workshop prior to either an Indigenous or Pride themed round (75% of total cost up to $2,000).
• Other initiatives recommended by State AFL body to grow and diversify participation (75% of total cost up to $5,000)

3. Improve Environments and Experiences

• Short-term financial support to distressed clubs ie where a natural disaster may have impacted on the club’s ability to operate (Maximum $5,000)
• Safety Lighting and/or surveillance/security cameras to monitor matchday environment on and off field (75% of total cost up to $2,000)
• Other initiatives recommended by State AFL body that improve environments and experiences (75% of total cost up to $5,000).

• Facilities improvements or acquisitions other than those outlined above
• Payments for services provided by coaches, trainers, administrators, 3rd party presenters or 3rd party club development providers
• Costs associated with catering, advertising or room hire
• Tablets, phones, laptops and computer printers
• Equipment for existing teams, including but not limited to new footballs, sports tape, water bottles and coaches vests
• Costs for activities and/or programs currently offered by the club’s league, region, state body or the AFL
• Player payments or League competition fees
• Projects that require ongoing funding assistance or routine or cyclical maintenance works
• Retrospective funding for a project that commenced or has been completed more than 90 days prior to the application submission date.

Applications for the 2026 Telstra Footy Grants Program are open. 

All Community Football Club’s affiliated to the AFL can apply.

Excluded are VFL, VFLW, SANFL, SANFLW, WAFLW and WAFL clubs as well as umpiring groups.

Applications for the 2026 program are now open. If you do miss a round cut off then your application will simply be considered for the following round.