Australian Government delivers record investment in High Performance Sport

The Australian Government has today announced a record $283 million investment in high performance sport over the next two years - laying the foundation for sustainable success in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

The investment is in addition to the $102.8 million annual grant funding, free support services, and subsidised access to the AIS facilities the Australian Sports Commission provides to national sporting organisations and high performance athletes.

Together, total investment in high performance sport will be $489 million over the next two years.

The investment will flow to elite athletes, coaches and support staff over the next two years in a historic show of support on the path to Brisbane 2032.

The funding package for Paralympians is the biggest ever, as the Australian Government addresses systemic and structural barriers to performance for para athletes that had been ignored for too long.

The funding will create more opportunities and better development pathways for high performance athletes to thrive while inspiring the next generation of Australians to be more active.

The historic investment includes:

• An increase of $17.6 million to the Direct Athlete Investment Support Grants (dAIS) program to address cost of living pressures for athletes.

• A major uplift in direct sport funding.

• Access to more domestic and international competitions to regularly compete against the world’s best in preparation for major sporting events.

• Extra training, well-being and preparation support, including access to world-leading coaches and performance support staff.

• Investment in our Paralympic athletes and sports will more than double, with $54.9 million in additional funding - the biggest ever Paralympic spend by an Australian Government.

• The funding increase will deliver better classification opportunities, access to fit-for-purpose training environments and specialised coaching and performance support.

ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins (pictured above) said today’s announcement, made just weeks out from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was a sign of confidence in Australian sport noting “Australian high performance sport is more united than ever before under our shared commitment to win well, and I’m proud this has been recognised through today’s announcement.

“We especially welcome the increased investment in para-sport which will reduce inequality and allow our para athletes to make the most of their talents.”

Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells noted “this is the biggest investment any government has made in our Olympic and Paralympic sports and will help athletes achieve glory on world stages.

“We’re giving our future Olympic and Paralympic teams what they need to succeed with upgraded training facilities, the best coaching and support staff and cost-of-living assistance.

Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman added “we have said many times that a successful home Games needs a successful home team, so this injection of funds at this time is fundamentally important to that outcome.

“The additional money direct to the sports is very good news while the lift in dAIS funding to cover more athletes is critical to giving them the confidence that they can focus on putting in the huge amount of work that is necessary to represent Australia on the international stage.

“It further builds on the investment in the AIS announced recently by Sports Minister Wells to again make that facility a hub of sporting excellence.

“This funding increase is a very important start to help our athletes be their best, inspire the generations to come and to build a strong sports system to support them all.

“The AOC also welcomes the lift in Paralympic funding which will benefit the sports which run both Olympic and Paralympic programs.”

Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh shared "this new investment from the Federal Government will bring about monumental generational change for Para-sport in Australia.

"Since 2000, Australia's investment in Para-sport has fallen well behind many of our rivals, allowing them to catch up. This funding marks a much-needed reset, positioning Australia to regain its competitive edge in time for the Paralympic Games in 2028 and our Games at home in 2032.”

Swimming Australia has welcomed the major investment in High Performance sport and thanked the Government for its continued and generous support. 

Swimming Australia Chief Executive  Rob Woodhouse addied “today’s announcement ensures that Swimming Australia can plan with added confidence and resources to support our athletes across the country and teams that proudly represent Australia on the world stage. It also ensures that we can keep an eye on the future by continuing to invest in High Performance pathways and innovations on the path to 2032. 

“It is also pleasing to see increased investment in direct athlete support and a much needed increase in Paralympic sport investment.”