Expanded Para Athlete Barrier Fund to Support 144 Athletes Across 22 Sports
The Federal Government has announced an expansion of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Para Athlete Barrier Fund, with $427,000 to support 144 Para athletes across 22 sports.
Announced by Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells on 5 November, the funding will help athletes meet costs associated with training and competition, including travel, carer support, childcare, technology and equipment.
Grants of up to $4,000 will assist Paralympians and emerging athletes to overcome financial barriers as they pursue their sporting goals. The latest allocation builds on the $361,000 provided to 122 athletes across 18 sports last year.
The announcement highlights the additional costs that athletes with disability can face when accessing training, travelling to competitions and securing the support they need to perform at their best.
Among the recipients is Paris 2024 Paralympian and triathlete Anu Francis, who told Paralympics Australia that the fund had helped address challenges associated with disability, location and finances while supporting her preparation for future competition.
Winter Paralympic medallist Ben Tudhope also highlighted the value of the funding in helping him access training and competition environments overseas. He said the support provided greater stability, reduced stress and helped him continue developing as an athlete.
Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray described the expanded fund, alongside the Federal Government’s broader Para System Uplift investment, as an important contribution to addressing barriers to participation and progression in Para sport.
For the disability sport sector, the expanded funding highlights the importance of practical, targeted support that enables athletes to access opportunities and progress through sporting pathways.
Source: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia, 5 November 2026. Read the original article: “Federal Government Announces Expanded Para Athlete Barrier Fund”.
