Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme

What will be funded?

A subsidy must be used to offset the athlete’s out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs only associated with involvement in one of the performance categories.

Funding will be for either retrospective or future travel occurring within the eligible dates for the event.

Funding is allocated against the applicant’s out-of-pocket amount and will not exceed the specified maximum funding limits. In cases where the number of applications exceeds the budget, eligible athletes will receive lower funding, and in extreme cases some eligible athletes may not receive any subsidy.

Note: out-of-pocket expenses refer to travel/accommodation costs less any other financial support e.g. Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Local Sporting Champions, local government grants etc.

Assessment criteria

Athletes who meet all points in the section above and are selected* to represent their region or Western Australia in an eligible SSA/NSO sanctioned state or national talent championships/event will be eligible to apply for funding.

* Selection refers to a process whereby clearly defined performance criteria are applied to select only the highest performing athletes onto a squad/team, within the athlete development pathway** controlled by the recognised SSA/NSO, and no element of chance is applied to that selection process. Where applicable, athletes must achieve advertised entry standards.

** The sport’s pathway is determined by those events and competitions that complement the progression of the athlete towards National representation with the recognised peak organisation for the sporting activity in Australia. It refers specifically to what is recognised by the SSA and the NSO as the milestone events that it is critical for athletes to participate in, in order to progress along that pathway.

Athletes must meet one of the three performance categories during the eligible start dates for the event to be eligible for a subsidy.

What will not be funded?

A subsidy cannot be used to offset costs associated with the following:

• Meals
• Team uniforms
• Sporting equipment
• Medical/physiotherapy expenses unless the above costs are included within a contribution levy required to be paid by the athlete to a NSO/SSA/RSA
• Travel to an international event, or a non-selection training camp, as a member of a national team
• Travel to Country Week not forming part of a SSA formal selection process
• Travel to school/university/touring team events
• Travel to events where the athlete has chosen to represent WA or a region in an event they have qualified or nominated for and has not been selected by the NSO/SSA/RSA
• Travel costs incurred by athletes competing in sports not deemed eligible by the department
• Travel costs incurred by athletes competing in State representation teams, talent squads and/or training squads not selected/endorsed by the NSO/SSA/RSA
• Travel costs incurred by athletes competing at events/competitions which do not form part of, or contribute to, the recognised NSO/SSA pathway
• Expenses for family members attending the event with the athlete

Performance categories

Only one application per athlete per sport per round will be considered for support. Athletes who have already received a subsidy, in the same sport, in the same financial year, will only be eligible for further subsidies at a different performance category.

Note¹: Performance Category 1 (member of a national team travelling to represent Australia at an international event) is no longer eligible for subsidy support. The change is effective from 14 April 2016 and all subsequent rounds.

Note²: Performance Category 2 (member of an Australian squad travelling to participate in Australian selection commitments) is no longer eligible for subsidy support. The change is effective from 2017/18 Round 1 and all subsequent rounds.

Note 1: Athletes competing at national championships as part of a State country or region specific team e.g. North West or country specific teams will be assessed as Category 4 or 5 as they are representing a specific region and not the entire State.

Note 2: Athletes competing at national championships as part of a club team or as an individual are only eligible as a Category 3 if they are also ranked as a State level athlete by their SSA.

Note 3: Athletes competing as part of a WA State school/Special Olympics State team are only eligible if school/Special Olympics teams/competitions are recognised and integrated into their SSA’s pathway. Athletes should contact their SSA prior to submitting their application to confirm the status of the team.

Note 4: Where a RSA or SSA selects multiple teams in the same age group for the same event, only athletes in the highest ranked team are eligible. If equal teams are selected, then only those athletes ranked by the RSA/SSA as equivalent of the highest ranked team will be eligible. Regional athletes in State ‘B’ teams will be eligible for Category 4.

What is the application process?

• Applicants should read and understand the application guidelines before commencing the application process.
• Applicants should refer to the Sport and Recreation (WA) website for the pathway mapping document specific to their sport to determine eligibility for teams and events before commencing the application process.
• Applicants should direct any initial queries to their local Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries office, their SSA or via the travel subsidy enquiry email address.
• Applications can only be made online during open application periods.
• Applications must be submitted using the online application form available via the department's website and all sections must be completed (refer Appendix 1 for all application information required). In submitting the application, the athlete makes a commitment to the department to comply with the terms and conditions applicable to ATSS.
• Athletes will be eligible to apply for funding more than once per financial year in the same sport, provided any subsequent application is not in the same performance category.
• Payments are made to the nominated bank account stated within the application form, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) after the round has closed and all applications have been assessed, validated by the SSA and processed.
• All applications must be lodged with the department by midnight on the published closing date, unless a different closing time is published on the department's website.
• No late applications will be accepted.

How will applications be processed?

Statewide assessment

• The department will contact the SSA to validate that the information relating to the athlete’s performance level and travel costs is accurate, and to confirm the team/event is integrated into the recognised pathway for that sport.
• The SSA may withhold endorsement for matters not related to performance.
• The department will assess applications based on the eligibility criteria and performance categories funding framework.
• Subsidy amounts are subject to the number of eligible applications received and allocated budget per round. Minimum funding thresholds will be applied and be determined by the department, below which no subsidy will be paid.
• The assessment decision is final and no appeal regarding a decision will be entered into.

Notification

• The assessment and notification process will be completed within approximately 8 weeks of the closing date of each round.
• Successful applicants will receive a letter from the Minister for Sport and Recreation, as well as a remittance email when the subsidy is deposited via electronic transfer.
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.

Application periods

Applications must be submitted online by midnight on the advertised closing date, unless a different closing time is published on the department’s website. Late applications will not be accepted.

Application periods for each round will be open for five weeks. Funding will be for either retrospective or future travel occurring within the advertised eligible event dates for each round.

Regional Athlete Support Scheme

Athletes who permanently reside in a regional location as defined by the State Government’s regional boundaries and are required to travel to attend events as described in the Performance Categories may be eligible for additional support through the Regional Athlete Support Scheme:

Note: regional athletes boarding in Perth are not eligible for Regional Athlete Support. Refer to the department's information on regional boundaries.

Assistance

For assistance, please contact your local Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries office.

Or use the travel subsidy enquiry email address: travelsubsidy@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

Note: enquiries made via the email address will be responded to during office hours only.

Terms and conditions that apply to applications and funding 

Applicants must read and agree to the terms and conditions in the Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme online application form before submitting an application.

Note: the department reserves the right to randomly audit successful athletes as outlined in the terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the application process?

• Applications must be submitted using the online application form available via the department's website and all sections must be completed.
• Athletes will be eligible for funding once only per financial year in the same sport in the same performance category.
• There will be two funding rounds allowing for athletes to apply for either retrospective or future travel and accommodation costs occurring within the eligible dates for the event.
• Applications must be lodged online by the required lodgement time and date.
• Applications that do not meet the required lodgement deadline for a particular round will not be considered.
• All applications must be validated by the relevant SSA.

Are athletes who reside in metropolitan Perth eligible to apply?

Unfortunately no. Over recent times funding provided to the sport and recreation industry has been impacted by a number of factors. This has required difficult decisions regarding allocation of budgets across a range of programs. In the current financial climate, funding is no longer available to support the continuation of the metropolitan component of this scheme.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

Yes. Athletes must be aged between 13 to 21 years of age at the commencement date of the event. (Note: athletes selected for 13 and under age group events are not eligible).

The ATSS age limits align with the department’s and the Australian Sports Commission position on junior sport: that sport involvement of children aged under 13 are best focused on participation, the progression of fundamental skills and developing a commitment to lifelong participation in physical activity.

Are athletes selected in National teams eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. The guidelines have recently changed as the department’s position is that funding of national representation is the responsibility of the NSO.

Are athletes who have been selected in Australian squads who have to travel to national selection camps eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. The guidelines have recently changed due to budget constraints and the focus of ATSS is to support WA athletes aspiring to represent WA at national events.

Can an athlete who is attending two different events in the same sport within the eligible event dates submit more than one application in the same application period?

No, only one application per athlete per sport per round will be considered for support.

Can an athlete qualify for a subsidy in different sports in the same round/year?

Yes. Athletes who meet the criteria are eligible for a subsidy in different sports in the same round/financial year.

Do I need to submit receipts for Out-of-Pocket expenses?

No, however the department reserves the right to randomly audit successful applicants so you should keep a record of the costs associated with the event/competition you are participating in.

If a regional athlete is boarding in Perth but has returned to their home in a regional area for school holidays at the time of the event, are they eligible for a subsidy?

Yes. (Note: athletes will not be eligible for the additional Regional Athlete Support Scheme if they are boarding in Perth at the time of the event).

Are athletes who have been selected in State country teams eligible for a subsidy?

Athletes must be selected in a bona fide State team to meet Performance Category Level 3 (refer page 3). Athletes competing at national championships as part of a bona fide State country team will be assessed as Performance Category Level 4 as they are representing country WA and not the entire state.

Is an athlete who is selected to represent their club in a team or as an individual at a sanctioned national championship event or State championship event or tournament eligible to apply?

Yes. The success of the application will be determined once the application is assessed against the Performance Category levels and the relevant SSA consulted as to the athlete’s performance level/national ranking in that sport’s high performance pathway.

Are athletes who have been selected in State school teams eligible for a subsidy?

Athletes must be selected in a bonafide State team to meet Performance Category 3. Athletes selected in a State school team that is endorsed by the SSA and forms part of the SSA’s athlete development pathway may be eligible for a subsidy.

Are athletes who have been selected in a club/representative touring team that will travel overseas or interstate to compete against another country or states eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. Touring teams are not considered part of the performance pathway and are not eligible under this subsidy scheme.

If an athlete already receives support from other organisations (e.g. Australian Sports Commission, SSA, WAIS, South West Academy of Sport, Mid West Academy of Sport, local government, etc.), are they eligible for a subsidy?

Yes, if there is no surplus income against the out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs.

Is an athlete eligible for a subsidy if they attend a boarding school in another regional area from where they live?

Yes. An athlete attending a boarding school in another regional area from where they live will be eligible for a subsidy. However, Regional Athlete Support will be based on the location of the boarding school.

Appendix 1

Information required to complete the online application.

Event details

• Event name (the full official event e.g. 2017 National Under 15 Boys Hockey Championships)
• Team/squad name (the full official team name e.g. 2017 WA Under 15 Boys Hockey Team)
• Event start date
• Event town/suburb
• Event state
• Event country
• Australian citizen/permanent resident
• Sporting activity (refer Appendix 2)
• Name of your State Sporting Association (refer Appendix 2)
• Performance level category
• Out-of-pocket travel and accommodation only costs.

Athlete details

• Name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Parent/guardian consent (if under 18 years)
• Parent/guardian details (if applicable):
  • Name
  • Home and/or mobile phone
  • Email address
• Residential address
• Postal address (if different to residential)
• Home and/or mobile phone
• Email address
• Your local government/council

Other

• School/university you are currently attending, and the region (if applicable)
• Name of your club, and the region (that you are a registered member of)
• Bank account details (for subsidy payment if you are successful)
• BSB number
• Bank and branch name
• Account number
• Account name

Media permission

• Agree/decline permission to share contact details with local media for promotional stories

Terms and conditions

• Must meet and agree to all

Appendix 2

Eligible sports and the relevant State Sporting Associations.

Note: eligible Special Olympics athletes should select the relevant sport activity and related State Sporting Association.