Youth Access Grants Program

Applications are now closed.

Youth Access Grants are available to increase access to recreational activities for young people aged 12 to 18 years who live, study, work or recreate within Port Phillip.

The program aims to increase the number of free or affordable activities for young people in our City.

Recreation activities can include:

sporting activities such as training, lessons, competitions and organised group sports
creative expression including theatre, acting groups and art lessons
social activities including mindfulness, environmental activities, movie clubs, group coding and gaming sessions.

Different streams

The Youth Access Grant Program has two categories with different grant values.

Stream one: Get Involved grant

Get Involved funding provides up to $500 for a young person aged 12 to 18 years to participate in recreational activities.

Young people between 12-17 years old need parental consent for their application. In this case, it is the parent or carer's responsibility to manage the funds and provide acquittal report.

Stream two: Recreation Programs grant

The Recreation Programs Grant is available for organisations to apply for up to $15,000. They must provide a free or low-cost recreation program for young people aged 12 to 18 years of age.

Grant value

Stream one: Get Involved grant

Get Involved funding provides up to $500 for a young person aged 12 to 18 years to participate in recreational activities.

Stream two: Recreation Programs grant

The Recreation Programs Grant is available for organisations to apply for up to $15,000.

Key dates

Key milestone	Scheduled Date
Applications open	11 November 2025
Online information session	20 November 2025, 10 am to 11 am
Applications close	Sunday 14 December 2025
Applications Assessed	January 2026
Applicants emailed application outcome	February 2026
Funds issued to successful applicants	March 2026
Project / program delivery	April - September 2026
Acquittal reports due	October 2026

Eligibility

The grant guidelines below outline the complete eligibility, assessment criteria and all the information you'll need to familiarise yourself with to apply for the grant.

To be eligible for Youth Access Grants Program under the Recreation Programs category, applicant organisations must:
- not for profit, community groups, organisation, or club
- be located within, or offer projects within, the City of Port Phillip municipality
- provide programs, projects, activities, or services to young people aged 12 to 18 years who live, work, study or recreate in the City of Port Phillip municipality
- be incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act or supported by an Incorporated Association that is deemed to be non-profit, as classified by the Australian Taxation Office (section 103A(2) (c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936)
- provide an ABN or an Auspice Organisation ABN
- have Public Liability Insurance or an Auspice Organisation Public Liability Insurance with a minimum of $20 million
- have complied with all terms and conditions including the submission of a satisfactory project status and acquittal reports for all previous City of Port Phillip Grants
- have a Child Safety Policy.
To be eligible for a Youth Access Grant under the Get Involved category, the grant beneficiary must:
- Be aged 12 to 18 years. Proof of age is required with application, this can include birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, and proof of age ID.
- Live, work, study or recreate in the City of Port Phillip.
Note:
- A parent or carer must complete and submit the application if the intended beneficiary is aged 12 to 18 years. If the application is successful, the parent or carer will also be responsible for managing the funds and completing an acquittal report.
- An organisation cannot submit an application or manage a grant on behalf of an individual.

How to apply

Applications are closed.

Guidelines

Contact us

Our Middle Years and Youth Services team is here to help.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip.

Phone: 03 9209 6777

Email:
General enquiries - youth@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Support for a young person - youthsupport@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Previously funded programs

Offered by: National Theatre

Contact: sarah.hunt@nationaltheatre.org.au

The National Theatre offers dance and drama classes for young people experiencing disadvantage. The program will be for young people aged 12 to 18 years.

The program will sponsor 14 young people to participate in acting or dance classes for two terms across 2021. Young people participating in ballet will receive full sponsorship for their dance shoes and uniform.

The National Theatre will also host trial days for young people to try classes out.
Offered by: Port Phillip EcoCentre

Contact: cecile@ecocentre.com

Outdoor Connections will offer free outdoor recreation and hands-on conservation activities for young people aged 12 to 18 years who live, work and play in the City of Port Phillip.

The program will be facilitated by environmental educators from the Port Phillip EcoCentre and youth engagement staff from Lord Somers Camp and Power House.

Participants learn about conserving local plants and animals, with topics including:

Indigenous and local history

wildlife watching and monitoring

plant identification

a snorkelling tour in the bay.

Activities are held at St Kilda Botanical Gardens, Albert Park, St Kilda Pier and beach, and West Beach.
Offered by: St Kilda City Junior Football Club

Contact: info@stkildacityjfc.com.au

The Female Coaching and Girls Training Program was developed by to increase community participation of girls in Aussie Rules football and coaching, while promoting broader mental, physical, and social wellbeing.

Successfully piloted in 2023 and expanded in 2024, the program engaged six young female assistant coaches to lead six girls’ teams, delivering targeted skills clinics and mentoring under Head Coach Darren Crocker.

Beyond skill development, the program highlighted the many benefits of team sport involvement—such as improved mental health, leadership opportunities, employment pathways, resilience, teamwork, and positive role-modelling within a community club setting.

Youth Access Grants Program

Different streams

Stream one: Get Involved grant

Stream two: Recreation Programs grant

Grant value

Stream one: Get Involved grant

Stream two: Recreation Programs grant

Key dates

Eligibility

Category 2: Recreation Programs Eligibility

Category 1: Get Involved Eligibility

How to apply

Guidelines

Contact us

Previously funded programs

Dance and drama classes

Outdoor Connections

Girls Footy Coaching Development Program

Holiday program