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2026 WLIS Equity Governance Grant

Equity Governance Grant

The ASC is proud of the Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program, which since 2002 has supported more than 28,000 women and over 800 sporting organisations. An Australian Government initiative that is managed by the ASC and funded through the Office for Sport, WLIS is designed to strengthen the pipeline of experienced, capable women leaders who shape decision-making, challenge systems, and contribute to a more equitable and effective sport sector.

The ASC’s commitment to gender equity is further reinforced through the National Gender Equity in Sport Governance Policy (2024), which mandates that national and state sporting organisations maintain 50% women/gender diverse directors and chairs. This policy sets a clear expectation for inclusive, representative governance across Australian sport.

To support this commitment, the Equity Governance Grants provide targeted support to women who face systemic barriers to leadership and board participation. While the program is open to all women, priority is given to women from under-represented groups, including First Nations women, women with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse women, LGBTIQ+ women and women living in regional and remote communities. 

The program supports women to access high-quality governance education and development opportunities, equipping emerging leaders with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to contribute effectively at the board table. By prioritising women who have historically been excluded from leadership pathways, the program aims to strengthen decision making, unlock diverse perspectives and support sporting organisations to build more inclusive, future ready boards that reflect the diversity of Australian communities.

Important Dates

Applications are now open

  • Applications Open: Wednesday 15 April 2026
  • Applications Close: Friday 15 May 2026
  • Outcomes notified to all applicants: Late June 2026
  • Successful grants payment processed: Late June 2026

Apply here now, opens in a new tab

Guidelines

The WLIS guidelines set out the funding requirement for the 2026 WLIS Equity Governance Grant Program.  Please read these carefully prior to applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, an applicant must satisfy all the following criteria:

  • Be a woman aged 18 years or over
  • While the program is open to all women, priority will be given to women from under-represented groups including:
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations women
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse women
  • LGBTIQ+ women
  • Women living with disability
  • Women living in regional and remote locations
  • An Australian citizen or have permanent residence status
  • Currently involved in a paid or volunteer capacity for either:
  • A National Sporting Organisation (NSO) or National Sporting Organisation for people with Disability (NSOD), recognised by the ASC (Australian Sports Directory),
  • Local Club or State/Territory Sporting Organisations (SSO) affiliated with an NSO or NSOD recognised by the ASC (Australian Sports Directory),
  • The Australian Olympic Committee,
  • Commonwealth Games Association,
  • The National Institute Network (NIN),
  • Australian Sports Foundation.
  • Have completed the free Australian Sports Commission Director Education Course – The Start Line at time of application. The course is self-paced, delivered in five modules and takes approximately two hours to complete.
  • Not be a current employee of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC)*,
  • Not have received WLIS support for governance activities within the last two years.

In addition:

*Current employee also includes consultants contracted to the ASC where this engagement is the only link to the sporting sector. ASC cannot be the supporting organisation.

Applicants must meet all the above eligibility requirements. The ASC may at its sole discretion, offer an applicant special consideration if an eligibility requirement set out in these guidelines cannot be met due to extenuating circumstances.

Funding

In 2026, $120,000 (GST exclusive) is available through the Equity Governance Grants Program to support women to access high-quality governance development. The program is available to all women, with priority given to women from under-represented groups who face systemic barriers to leadership. This investment recognises the leadership, expertise and lived experience women bring to the sport sector and aims to strengthen their pathways into meaningful governance roles.

Individual grants of up to $10,000 are available. Funding will be allocated across the following streams:

Stream 1

$0 - $3,999

Stream 2

$4,000 - $7,999

Stream 3

$8,000 - $10,000

Foundational Governance

Intermediate Governance

Advanced Governance

Women beginning their governance journey or exploring leadership opportunities in sport

Women with some leadership experience who want to strengthen governance knowldege and confidence

Women preparing for board appointments, senior governance roles, or who already sit on committees/boards

Please note: Only one application per applicant will be accepted. If more than one application is submitted, the last submitted application will be assessed.

How to apply

Before you apply, please read these 2026 WLIS Equity Governance Grant Guidelines to make sure you understand all relevant requirements:

The ASC is committed to ensuring inclusivity in our grant processes. If you are unable to submit the application online, please contract wlis@ausport.gov.au or call (02) 6214 1463 to discuss other options for submission.

Only one application per applicant will be accepted. If more than one application is submitted, the last submitted application will be assessed.

1. Check your eligibility: Individuals will need to ensure they have met the eligibility criteria.

2. Application format: Determine if you will be submitting an online written application or a video submission

3. Identify the course: Gather course details including:

-Course Title -Course Fees -Course provider -Course dates -Website link

4. Prepare your assessment criteria response:  It is suggested that applicants prepare responses to the assessment criteria in Word, to ensure correct spelling and punctuation

5. Complete the online application form: You will need to create an online account and login.

6. Submit your application, opens in a new tab

Please note: Equity Governance Grant applicants who submit video responses to address the assessment criteria, will still be required to complete the other components of the online application form and submit responses in line with the process, including the closing date for applications.

The application process will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

If the application cannot be completed in one session, you can save the application and return to it later using your login details.

You will have access to your application after submitting but you will not be able to amend an application once submitted. Should you have any issues post submission please contact the WLIS team WLIS@ausport.gov.au

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the information within the application is complete and accurate. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code 1995.

Assessment and approvals

All applications will first be reviewed by the ASC to confirm they meet the eligibility criteria. Applications which do not meet the eligibility criteria will not progress further in the process.

An internal assessment panel will convene and assess all eligible applications against the criteria. The assessment panel will be made up of ASC staff. The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the ASC Executive General Manager Diversity, People and Culture who will be responsible for the final decision including:

  • The approval of the grant recipients,
  • The grant amount to be awarded, and
  • The terms and conditions of the grants.

All decisions about funding are at the sole and absolute discretion of the ASC. Decisions are final and there is no appeal process.

Enquiries and feedback

If you have any questions regarding the WLIS program, please email wlis@ausport.gov.au

If you wish to lodge a complaint regarding the program this can be done via ASC’s complaints form: https://www.ausport.gov.au/contacts/feedback-and-complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

If I’m not able to submit my grant application by the due time and date, can I ask for an extension?

Under no circumstances will extensions be given.

I have already submitted my application but need to revise it, what should I do?

If you need to edit your submitted application (before the closing date only), please email wlis@ausport.gov.au and request your form to be reopened. Please allow sufficient time for the team to respond to this request. Requests made on the day of closing may not be actioned. Note: Applications cannot be changed after the closing date.

Who do I contact if I am having trouble using or submitting an application form?

Please email Funding@ausport.gov.au

How do I find out the progress and outcome of my application?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by late June 2026 via Smartygrants.

For probity reasons and to treat all applicants fairly and equally, it is not possible to give out information about the status of applications during the assessment process.

When will I receive the grant funding if I am successful?

If you are successful, a letter of offer including the grant terms and conditions will be sent via Smartygrants. Grant payments will be processed within 10 days after the letter of offer and terms and conditions have been signed and returned to the ASC. Commencing late June 2026.

Who is assessing the applications?

Eligible applications will progress to the preliminary assessment phase where they will be assessed by an internal panel made up of ASC staff, based on responses provided in the application.

An internal assessment panel will convene and assess all eligible applications against the criteria. The assessment panel will be made up of ASC staff. The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the ASC Executive General Manager Diversity, People and Culture who will be responsible for the final decision including:

  • The approval of the grant recipients,
  • The grant amount to be awarded, and
  • The terms and conditions of the grants.

Are the grant applications assessed against other applications?

Yes. Each grant application is assessed on how well it addresses the assessment criteria in comparing with other applications.

How do I get feedback for my application?

Requests for feedback should be directed to wlis@ausport.gov.au

Can I appeal the decision is my application is unsuccessful?

No. The decisions are final and there is no appeal process.

Where should I go for further information?

Please email your enquiries to wlis@ausport.gov.au

How do we define a woman?

For the purposes of its programs including the Women Leaders in Sport program, the ASC follows the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender (published by the Attorney-General’s Department in July 2013 and updated November 2015).

These guidelines indicate "the Australian Government recognises that individuals may identify and be recognised within the community as a gender other than the sex they were assigned at birth or during infancy, or as a gender which is not exclusively male or female. This should be recognised and reflected in their personal records held by Australian Government departments and agencies."

Am I eligible to apply if I work within the National Institute Network (NIN)?

Yes, employees of the National Institute Network are eligible to apply.

Am I eligible to apply if I work for CombatAUS?

Yes, employees of CombatAUS are eligible to apply.

Are State and Territory Agencies of Sport and Recreation employees (STASR) eligible to apply?

No, applications from STASR employees will not be accepted.

I was a successful WLIS individual grant recipient in 2024/2025, where I was supported for Governance, can I apply for funding in this grant round?

No - applicants who have received WLIS support for governance activities within the last two years are not eligible.

Can I apply for multiple courses? For example, can I submit two applications for two different courses, or two courses in the one application?

No - only one application per applicant will be accepted for an Equity Governance Grant and only one course can be applied for. If more than one application is submitted, the last submitted application will be assessed.

Can the individual grant funding be paid to my sporting organisation?

No. The grant funding must be paid into your personal account

What are the tax implications of a WLIS Grant?

The ASC encourages recipients to seek professional tax advice in relation to any impact that the WLIS grant may have on your personal tax situation.  The ASC is unable to provide specific advice given each individuals’ tax situation is different.

Am I eligible to apply if I volunteer for a sporting club but have a paid position outside of sport?

Yes, you are eligible. The club will need to be associated with a state sporting organisation that is affiliated with a national sporting organisation recognised by the ASC (listed here).

I am an athlete/ player for a club, am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible for a WLIS grant you must hold a paid or volunteer role within your club

Am I eligible if I am involved in school sport programs?

No. However if you work or volunteer at a sporting organisation or club you are able to apply. The club will need to be affiliated with a National Sporting Organisation that is recognised by the ASC

What happens if the course I apply for does not run?

If your course is cancelled or postponed, you can request an extension or identify a replacement course and submit a request for change by emailing wlis@ausport.gov.au.  Approval of your request is not guaranteed. The ASC will consider the request based on the length of extension and the suitability of the replacement course. If a suitable arrangement cannot be made you will be required to repay the full amount of the grant back to the ASC.

What happens if I fail my course?

Successful completion of your course is a condition of the grant funding. If you fail your course you will be required to repay the grant funding to the ASC.

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