Supporting physical activity in older Australians

The Move It Aus – Better Ageing Grant Program aims to increase levels of physical activity of Australians aged 65+, particularly those least active, to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

What is it??
The Program will support Australian organisations to develop and implement local, community-based activities which promote physical activity among older Australians. Programs will be specifically designed for an older age group.

The objective is to improve older Australians overall health and wellbeing, particularly those less active by:

  • enhancing the understanding and benefits of regular physical activity;
  • improving access to sport and physical activity opportunities;
  • enabling regular engagement in sport and physical activity; and
  • enhancing the capability and capacity of organisations and staff to deliver age-appropriate activities.

Why is this important?
Research shows physical activity in older age has significant cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits, and helps to control weight and combat chronic disease. People in this age group are not currently receiving consistent and timely information about how and why participation in physical activity is important. This measure encourages Australians aged 65 years and over to adopt and incorporate physical activity into their everyday lives to prevent and reduce the impact of chronic disease, reduce falls and increase overall physical and mental health.

The Australian Government is investing $22.9 million over two years from 2018-19, to increase participation in physical activity among Australians aged 65 years and older. The Move It Aus – Better Ageing Grant Program aims to encourage older Australians, particularly those who are least active, to undertake 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days.

What grant funding is available?
Grants of up to $2 million will be available.

What can be funded?
Examples of sport and physical activity programs designed for older Australians may include, but are not limited to:

  • modified sports initiatives that include adapted time, equipment, playing formats, rules, non-physical contact or intensity; and/or
  • activities that develop greater flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.

Further examples of suitable programs can be found at the Department of Health and Ageing Long Live You.

Who is eligible?
To be eligible, primary applicants must be one of the following Australian entity types and must have been operating for 12 months or longer:

  • Sporting Organisations including National Sporting Organisations and National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability;
  • Non-Government Organisations (NGO) including physical activity organisations; and/or
  • Local Government Organisations.

Sport Australia encourages applicants to consider partnering with other organisations (including those not eligible to be a primary grant applicant), to enhance the delivery of the project.

Key dates:

  1. Grant applications will open on 20 September 2018
  2. Grant close: 5pm (Eastern Standard Time) 31 October 2018
  3. Announcement Period: December 2018 onwards

For more information visit: www.sportaus.gov.au/betterageing

Phone: +61 2 6214 1333
Email: betterageing@sportaus.gov.au

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