Grants available to South Australian sporting groups for defibrillator purchase

With South Australian Government legislation mandating defibrillators in the community right across the state becoming effective on 1st January 2026, the Government has opened a new grant program to assist community and sporting organisations purchase and install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to meet the requirements of the new laws.

The laws, which are being rolled out in stages, mandate AEDs in certain public buildings such as schools, libraries, sporting facilities, local council offices, theatres, swimming pools and places of worship.

To assist organisations comply with the law, the South Australian AED Grants Program is open to community and sporting groups and religious organisations - offering grants of $1,000 to eligible organisations for each building/facility used for sporting or community purposes to assist with the purchase of an AED.

Around 70% of the 977 successful grant applications so far are for community and sporting groups and religious organisations in regional South Australia.

One recipient from the first round of grants was North Eastern MetroStars Soccer Club in Klemzig, which was successful in receiving funding to help subsidise the purchase of an AED for its new clubrooms. The club is home to more than 35 teams and has close to 400 players.

Metro Stars club doctor, Dr Mario Soteriou shared “the club and community of the North Eastern MetroStars are grateful to have received grant funding for a potentially life-saving AED.

“AEDs are essential devices that increase the chance of survival when someone collapses outside of hospital.

“This AED is installed near the pitch to not only benefit the players and referees directly but also the wider community who attend the matches.”

AEDs are portable electronic medical devices that monitor heart rhythms and deliver assisted electrical shock (‘defibrillation’) in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

These devices make an extraordinary difference in the community, as every minute defibrillation is delayed to a person suffering a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.

AEDs require no training and can be used by anyone who recognises the signs of a cardiac arrest, when someone’s heart is no longer functioning correctly, and they collapse and stop breathing normally.

Obligations to install AEDs started for State Government-owned buildings, facilities, and emergency service vehicles on 1st January 2025, and will commence for all remaining in-scope buildings, facilities and prescribed vehicles (trains, trams and public buses) on 1st January 2026.

To be eligible, the applying organisation must meet certain criteria, such as having an active Australian Business Number (ABN), and be a not-for-profit club, association or organisation that is sport or community related. Grant recipients will be responsible for the installation, maintenance and registration of the AED.

Anyone calling Triple Zero (000) during a cardiac arrest emergency will be directed to the nearest AED by the operator.

The South Australian AED Grants Program is currently open to community and sporting organisations, with applications closing 5pm Wednesday 30th April 2025.

For more information on the Grants Program, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Grants Program