The AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund will provide up to $4000 per eligible athlete to compete against the world’s best, assist with training or go towards carer support costs.

Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells, made the announcement while meeting with Para athletes in Darwin, with the new grant part of the Australian Government’s record $54.9 million investment in Paralympic sport – doubling previous funding – ahead of Brisbane 2032.

“Australia’s Para athletes have never been better supported thanks to the Albanese Government’s historic investment in Para sport," Minister Wells said.

"We have doubled our high performance funding for Paralympians to $55m which includes direct support for our athletes through the Barrier Fund.

“We’ve heard from our athletes the challenges they face in reaching their potential and the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund will provide immediate support where it’s needed most as we look ahead to our home Games in Brisbane."

Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund was born from the nation’s biggest ever Para system survey, which identified a range of barriers stopping athletes reaching their medal potential.

“Our athletes are at the heart of all that we do and when they told us what they needed to realise their full potential and win well, we not only listened but acted,” Ms Clements said.

“The AIS Para Athlete Barrier Grant is a timely investment for athletes preparing for next year’s Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as well as for those laying the foundations for Los Angeles in 2028.

“Australian sport is united in making our Para facilities and athlete support world’s best and I would like to thank the Australian Government for their ongoing commitment to our current and future Paralympians.”

Two-time Paralympian Shae Graham, who won bronze with the Australian Wheelchair Rugby Steelers at the 2024 Paris Games, said the grant will make a difference for athletes.

“There are so many barriers to participating in Para sports, sometimes the list seems endless,” Graham said.

“However, this money will help to minimise the barriers standing in our way and remove some of the financial pressures, which will ultimately allow us to focus on our training and performance.

“The announcement of the Para Uplift was such welcome news - it’s really an exciting time to be a Para athlete. It’s going to be amazing to watch the growth, development and success of Australia’s Para athletes in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

”The AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund is part of the national Para Uplift, run under the leadership of the AIS and Paralympic Australia and in partnership with the National Institute Network and sports.

The Para Uplift is addressing better classification opportunities, access to fit-for-purpose training environments and specialised coaching and performance support, and has already seen Para Sport Units established in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, with other state and territories unveiling their Units in the coming months.

Applications for the AIS Para Athlete Barriers Grant are now open and close Monday 5 May . For more information and to apply, visit the ASC Grants and Funding page: www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding