Guidelines
The WLIS guidelines set out the funding requirement for the WLIS Individual Grants Program. Please read these carefully prior to applying.
Women Leaders in Sport Guidelines
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible you must meet these criteria:
- Identify as a woman
- Aged 18 years or over
- An Australian citizen or have been granted 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)
- Commonwealth Games Association,
- The National Institute Network (NIN),
- Australian Sports Foundation
- A media organisation as a sport journalist/writer
- Not be a current employee of the ASC
- Not have received support through the WLIS program within the last two years^ (Please note: This does not include participation in the WLIS Workshops)
- Not have any outstanding debts or reporting requirements through other funding programs or services administered by the ASC.
- Selected course/training must commence in 2025.
- Supporting organisation is not named on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency website non-compliant organisations list.
- Supporting organisation is not named in the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of “Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme”.
*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.
^WLIS Programs refer to; Individual Grants, Athlete Accelerate, Talent Development Programs
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 the guidelines cannot be met due to extenuating circumstances.
Funding
In 2025 $200,000 is available to support professional development and training for eligible women in the sporting sector. This amount will be allocated across the following three tiers:
Tier | Course Level | Total Tier Funds Available | Maximum Grant Amount (excl GST) |
Tier 1 | Advanced professional development courses | Approx. $50,000 (approx. 5 grants available) | $8,000 - $10,000 |
Tier 2 | Intermediate professional development courses | Approx. $80,000 (approx. 15 grants available) | $4,000 - $7,999 |
Tier 3 | Foundational professional development courses | Approx. $70,000 (approx. 30 grants available) | $0 - $3,999 |
Total program funds | $200,000 |
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 Individual Grant Program 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.
- Check your eligibility: Individuals will need to ensure they have met the eligibility criteria.
- Application format: Determine if you will be submitting an online written application or a video submission
- Gain a letter of support: Obtain a letter of support from your manager, direct report or person within the organisation you volunteer with. The letter of support must include:
- The endorser’s name and job title
- The endorser’s organisation (e.g. NSO)
- Identifies the individual as being the applicant for the grant
- Expresses support for the specific course/project/activity being proposed
- Identify the course: Gather course details including:
- Course Title
- Course Fees
- Course provider
- Course dates
- Website link
- Prepare your assessment criteria response: It is suggested that applicants prepare responses to the assessment criteria in Word, to ensure correct spelling and punctuation
- Complete the online application form: You will need to create an online account and login.
- Submit your application
Please note: Individual 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.
