A valuable uplift to direct Athlete Income Support (dAIS) grants will help take some of the financial pressure off Australian athletes and their families as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To win medals in an increasingly competitive environment, many athletes must train full-time, which is why this financial support is needed.

“Our most admired athletes across Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports are facing the same financial challenges as millions of other Australians,” Minister Wells said.

“Our athletes sacrifice so much to represent our country and the Australian Government hopes this $2 million investment helps them focus more on their training and pre-Paris competitions.

“This dAIS grant top-up means Australian athletes can stay competitive and win well as the pressure of Paris heats up.”

Today’s announcement sees the maximum support an athlete can receive via dAIS rise to $37,500.

Those identified to have the greatest potential to contribute to Australia winning medals at major international events will receive an additional one-off payment on top of their annual dAIS grant allocation.

“The athletes we are supporting get little exposure outside of their pinnacle events every four years. Many are living at home and training full-time for little financial reward. This small boost will ensure their preparations and wellbeing are not negatively impacted by financial pressures,” ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said.

“The ASC thanks the Australian Government for their support of our athletes who will inspire millions of Australians when they take on the world in Paris next year.”

dAIS is a means-tested grant program to ensure funding is allocated to the athletes who have the greatest need for financial support.

dAIS grants are supporting 850 athletes this financial year, with a total investment of $16.6 million.

This top-up in dAIS grant funding follows the $20 million Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund announced by the Australian Government in July which is directly supporting national sporting organisations to get more athletes and coaches to key qualification and pre-Paris competitions ahead of the Games.

It also enabled an additional 56 high performance projects to be greenlit and enhance Australia’s prospects for medals at the Paris 2024 Games.

Athletes preparing for the 2026 Winter Games and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles have also received a funding boost this year.