The Game On: Teaming up for climate action grant gives community sports clubs across Australia up to $100,000 to install solar panels, battery storage, and other energy efficiency upgrades at their facilities. Administered by the Community Grants Hub on behalf of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the program targets up to 500 clubs over 2 funding rounds. This article covers grant amounts, eligibility, eligible upgrades, the application process, and key dates for Round 1. For an overview of incentives available for non-residential solar projects, see commercial solar rebates.
What is the Game On: Teaming up for climate action grant?
The Game On grant is a $35.262 million federal program that provides community sports clubs between $25,000 and $100,000 each for energy efficiency and climate resilience upgrades. The program runs over 3 years from 2026-27 to 2028-29 and was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Support for the Net Zero Plan. Round 1 opens on 1 July 2026 and closes at 9:00 pm AEST on 28 July 2026, with up to $17.631 million available.
The grant covers up to 100% of eligible expenditure, meaning clubs do not need to co-fund their projects, although co-funding from state or territory grants and private sponsorship is encouraged. The program is open non-competitive, which means applications that meet all eligibility and assessment criteria are funded in the order they are received. If demand exceeds available funding before the closing date, the Department may close the round early. Each club can only receive one grant across Round 1 and Round 2. If a club is successful in Round 1, it is not eligible for Round 2.
The Game On: Teaming up for climate action grant provides $35.262 million over 3 years to support up to 500 community sports clubs with energy efficiency and climate resilience upgrades. Individual clubs can receive between $25,000 and $100,000 at up to 100% of eligible expenditure. Round 1 opens 1 July 2026 with $17.631 million available. The grant is open non-competitive, meaning eligible applications are funded in the order received until the funding pool is exhausted. Eligible upgrades include solar PV with battery storage, LED lighting, heat pumps, HVAC systems, building envelope improvements, and climate resilience infrastructure.
Who is eligible to apply for the Game On sports club grant?
Eligible applicants are community-focused, not-for-profit sports clubs with an Australian Business Number (ABN) that are affiliated with a recognised state or national sporting organisation. The club must be directly involved in delivering community sport or managing community sports facilities. Eligible entity types include incorporated associations, companies, cooperatives, and Indigenous corporations. Schools and tertiary institutions can apply only if the facility is in an outer regional, remote, or very remote area as classified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics Remoteness Areas framework, and the facility provides community access.
Clubs can apply individually or as part of a consortium. A small consortium includes 2 to 5 clubs under a lead organisation. A large consortium includes 6 to 20 clubs. In a consortium arrangement, each member club can receive the full $25,000 to $100,000 grant amount for its own facility. The lead organisation must be an eligible entity type and is responsible for managing the grant on behalf of all consortium members.
4 categories of applicants are not eligible: sole traders, partnerships, unincorporated associations, and organisations with unresolved compliance issues from previous Commonwealth grants. Clubs that are successful in Round 1 are automatically ineligible for Round 2.
Ready to get a solar quote for your sports club?
Solar Galaxy provides commercial solar installations for sports clubs, community facilities, and businesses across Australia. If your club is preparing a Game On grant application, a detailed quote helps you complete the project plan and budget sections of the application form. Call 1300 339 596 or contact Solar Galaxy to discuss your club’s energy upgrade options.
What solar and energy upgrades does the grant cover?
The grant covers solar PV systems with battery storage, LED lighting, heat pumps, HVAC upgrades, building envelope improvements, EV charging infrastructure, and climate resilience measures. Solar PV and commercial battery storage installations can include switchboard upgrades, roof strengthening to support panel mounting, and virtual power plant (VPP) integration as part of the same project.
The full list of eligible energy efficiency expenditure includes:
- Solar PV systems and battery storage, including switchboard upgrades and roof strengthening
- LED lighting upgrades for courts, fields, and clubhouses (must comply with AS 2560.2:2021)
- Heat pumps for pool heating and clubhouse hot water systems
- HVAC system upgrades replacing low-efficiency equipment
- Building envelope improvements: high-efficiency glazing, window shading, ceiling and wall insulation, draught sealing
- Electrification of gas cooking appliances (induction cooktops)
- Refrigerators, freezers, and chillers
- EV charging infrastructure
Climate resilience upgrades are also eligible, including shading for playing and spectator areas, drainage upgrades to prevent flooding, rainwater harvesting systems, disaster-readiness infrastructure, and sustainable ground surface coverings. All work must meet Australian Standards and the National Construction Code. Installers must hold the correct electrical licence or plumbing registration for their jurisdiction.
What expenses are excluded from the Game On grant?
The grant excludes wages, retrospective costs, land purchases, routine maintenance, and any activities already funded by another Commonwealth program. 2 exclusions are particularly relevant for solar installations: Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and NSW Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) cannot be claimed alongside this grant. This means the upfront STC discount that typically reduces the cost of a solar panel system does not apply to projects funded through the Game On program.
Other excluded items include cosmetic renovations, sporting equipment, scoreboards, entertainment systems, computers, vehicle purchases, gas-to-gas conversions, and diesel generators. Projects at facilities primarily used for commercial operations, such as licensed bar areas or venues with gaming machines, are also excluded. Dual-use facilities are permitted where the facility is otherwise generally used for grassroots sport.
How are Game On grant applications assessed?
Applications are assessed against 4 equally weighted criteria: energy efficiency and climate resilience impact, community benefit, project planning and delivery capability, and value for money. Each criterion allows up to 6,000 characters (approximately 900 words) in the application form. A Selection Advisory Panel reviews applications and makes recommendations to the decision maker.
For Criterion 1 (energy efficiency and climate resilience impact), strong applications will quantify the expected reduction in energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, describe climate resilience contributions such as heat mitigation and water efficiency, and identify measures that future-proof the facility against emerging climate risks.
For Criterion 2 (community benefit), the application should demonstrate how the upgrade increases access, safety, or participation for grassroots users, and describe how the project will engage and educate club members and the broader community about energy efficiency and climate action.
For Criterion 3 (project planning), assessors look for a realistic timeline, identified risks and mitigation strategies, evidence of organisational capacity to deliver, and appropriately qualified personnel for the proposed works.
For Criterion 4 (value for money), the application should show that costs are reasonable and proportionate, that the project represents a sound investment of public funding, and that co-funding or in-kind contributions have been considered.
Need help preparing your grant application?
A detailed solar and battery quote from an experienced commercial installer strengthens your grant application by providing accurate cost figures for the project budget and demonstrating that your club has engaged qualified suppliers. Solar Galaxy can provide system sizing, product specifications, and installation pricing for your club’s facility. Call 1300 339 596 or get in touch online.
How do you apply for the Game On sports club grant?
Applications are submitted through the GrantConnect portal at grants.gov.au between 1 July 2026 and 9:00 pm AEST on 28 July 2026. The application window is 28 days. Because the program is open non-competitive and funded on a first-come basis, clubs that submit complete applications early in the round have the strongest position if demand exceeds available funding.
Before starting the application, clubs should prepare the following:
- A project plan with a realistic timeline (maximum grant period is 16 months, completion by 20 April 2028)
- A detailed budget with quotes for major cost items
- Evidence of affiliation with a recognised state or national sporting organisation
- A risk assessment identifying potential project risks and mitigation strategies
- ABN and financial institution details
- Working with Children Check and Working with Vulnerable People registration for relevant personnel
Questions about the application process can be directed to the Community Grants Hub at [email protected] no later than 5:00 pm AEST on 21 July 2026. The grant opportunity guidelines are published on GrantConnect.
Can the Game On grant be combined with other funding?
Co-funding from state or territory grants, rebates, private sponsorship, and in-kind contributions is encouraged but not mandatory. The grant covers up to 100% of eligible expenditure, so clubs are not required to contribute their own funds. However, projects that include co-funding may demonstrate stronger value for money in the assessment process. The grant cannot be combined with funding from another Commonwealth program for the same activities. Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) are explicitly excluded from projects funded under this program, which means the standard STC point-of-sale discount on solar PV systems does not apply to Game On-funded installations.
What are the key dates for the Game On Round 1 grant?
Round 1 opens 1 July 2026 and closes 9:00 pm AEST on 28 July 2026, with all projects to be completed by 20 April 2028. The key timeline is:
- Guidelines released: 1 July 2026
- Applications open: 1 July 2026
- Last date for questions: 5:00 pm AEST, 21 July 2026
- Applications close: 9:00 pm AEST, 28 July 2026 (may close earlier if funding is exhausted)
- Maximum grant period: 16 months from execution of grant agreement
- Project completion deadline: 20 April 2028
The program was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Support for the Net Zero Plan, which includes Australia’s target to reduce emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035, as outlined in the joint ministerial release on Australia’s 2035 climate change target.
How can Solar Galaxy help your sports club?
Solar Galaxy provides commercial solar panel installations and battery storage systems for sports clubs, community facilities, and businesses. Our installation teams hold the relevant electrical licences and accreditations for commercial solar work. We can provide a detailed quote that includes system sizing, product specifications, switchboard requirements, and total installation cost, giving your club the figures needed to complete the Game On grant application.
To get a commercial solar and battery quote for your sports club, call 1300 339 596 or submit an enquiry through the website. With Round 1 closing on 28 July 2026, getting a quote early gives your club time to prepare a complete application before the funding pool is exhausted.
