Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund


The Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund (the Fund) was established in 2019 to provide funding for activities and initiatives that seek to achieve the following purposes:

(a)    assisting clubs to diversify their income to sources other than gaming machines;

(b)   supporting the sustainability of clubs;

(c)    contributing to projects that help reduce regulatory costs or improve efficiency in administration and compliance for clubs; and

(d)   training and skills development for club workers, executives and members of club management committees and boards.

Applications will be considered by the Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund Advisory Board (the Advisory Board), which will make recommendations to the Minister for Gaming on payments from the Fund.

Applicants

Applications will be accepted from entities that can demonstrate that the funding sought will be applied towards meeting one or more of the Fund purposes (see above).

For example, applications may be accepted from:

  • ACT clubs and club groups who operate gaming machines under a Class C licence;
  • ACT club industry peak body representatives or representative groups;
  • trade unions representing ACT club workers;
  • Australian state and territory Government organisations; and
  • club workers, executives and members of club management committees and boards.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Applications will not be accepted from:

Applications for Funding

Applications can be made under two separate categories:

Tier 1 – Funding up to $25,000

Tier 1 is open to small or medium clubs and small or medium club groups only.

Tier 1 is open all year. Applications made under Tier 1 will be considered by the Advisory Board on an ongoing basis.

Tier 1 applications must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. the applicant must be a small or medium club or a small or medium club group; and
  2. the application must be consistent with the Fund purposes (see above); and
  3. the application must represent value for money.

When considering applications that meet these criteria, the Advisory Board may take into account whether the applicant has previously received payment(s) from the Fund within the same financial year.

Tier 2 – Funding up to $250,000

Tier 2 is open to any club or other entity that can demonstrate that the funding sought will be applied towards meeting the Fund purposes. This includes small or medium clubs and small or medium club groups.

Tier 2 will open at least once each year. Applications must be received by the stated due date and time (see below).

Tier 2 applications must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. the application must be consistent with the Fund purposes (see above); and
  2. the application must represent value for money; and
  3. the applicant must have capacity to deliver their proposal; and
  4. the applicant must have an effective implementation plan for their proposal.

When considering applications that meet these criteria, the Advisory Board may take into account whether the applicant has previously received payment(s) from the Fund within the same financial year.

When considering multiple applications, the Advisory Board may also assess applications against the following additional criteria:

Applications for funding exceeding $250,000 may be considered under exceptional circumstances. When considering an application for funding exceeding $250,000, the Advisory Board may have regard to:

Activities/initiatives that will not be considered

Applications for any gambling-related activity, such as improvements to gambling areas, gambling equipment or gambling facilities, will not be considered.

How to Apply

Tier 1 applications:

Tier 2 applications:

All applications should be emailed to DSSFSecretariat@act.gov.au. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Community Clubs Program

The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate administers the Community Clubs Program (CCP) which provides rebates of up to $75,000 per eligible club to upgrade inefficient appliances, invest in renewable technologies including rooftop solar and battery storage, improve the club’s building envelope and implement measures to transition off gas.

Potential applicants seeking funding for this kind of project:

may consider if they are eligible for the CCP grant, noting that eligibility criteria differ from DSSF and applicants cannot secure funding from both programs (DSSF and CCP) for the same installation/upgrade works.

For more information on incentives offered through the program visit the Community Clubs Program page on the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate’s website, email sustainablebusiness@act.gov.au or contact 13 22 81.

Further Information

Please refer to the following documents for additional guidance:

Tier 1 Application Form

Tier 2 Application Form

Standard Operating Procedure for Applications

Gaming Machine (Applications for Payments Out of Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund) Guidelines 2022

Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund Guidance Paper

Questions about the application process may be directed to the DSSF Secretariat on telephone 02 6207 1764 or by email to DSSFSecretariat@act.gov.au