Variety Sunshine Coaches

Sunshine Coaches – Expressions of Interest now open

Guidelines     Apply Now

We are inviting schools and organisations to tell us their story and help us understand where a Sunshine Coach could make the greatest difference!

Sunshine Coaches help remove the barriers that can make everyday experiences out of reach. They enable children living with disability, chronic illness, financial hardship, or geographical isolation to connect with their communities. Including attend school excursions, take part in extra-curricular activities and experience programs that they would otherwise be unable to attend. 

Designed with inclusion at heart, Sunshine Coaches can be fitted with wheelchair access and other modifications, ensuring children travel together with their peers. 

More than just transport, a Sunshine Coach represents freedom, opportunity, and shared experiences, helping children reach places and milestones, that might otherwise be out of reach. 

Our 2026 Sunshine Coaches Grant Round will be offering LDV Deliver 9 Bus models only. 

Expressions of Interest for this grant will close on Friday 27th February 2026. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to complete a full application.  

If you have any questions regarding the Sunshine Coach Program or the EOI process, please reach out to our Kids Support Team at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must:

  • be based and operating in NSW or ACT
  • be a school or a not-for-profit organisation
  • support kids aged 0 – 18
  • directly support kids or young people living with a disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation.

Expressions of Interest for our 2026 Sunshine Coaches grant round in now open. The Expressions of Interest process closes on 27th February 2026.

The EOI is a short online form designed to give us a clear picture of your school or organisations, the children you support and how a Sunshine Coach can open doors for them. We love hearing real stories and examples. 

Key information required are: 

  • Name and contact details of an authorised representative
  • A brief description about your school or organisation
  • The children who would benefit most from the Sunshine Coast and the current barriers they face
  • Choice of coach including where appropriate any specifications/modifications
  • The financial contribution your school or organisation may be able to provide (if any).

No, applications will only be accepted for new coaches. Coach types and possible modifications will be listed in the application and in the Sunshine Coach guidelines.

Once your Expression of Interest is received, it will be reviewed by the Kids Support Team and our Grant Committee. Short listed applicants will be invited to complete a full application.

The cost will vary depending on which type of coach and the modifications that are selected during the application process. This amount will be confirmed after the application has been submitted and pre-assessed.

In the EOI you will be required to answer questions relating to funding and if your organisations can contribute to the cost of a Sunshine Coach.

Contributing to the coach is optional. If you are in a position to contribute, we welcome the support.

The Kids Support Team at Variety may be in touch to confirm these details before the application is progressed to the next stage.

If you need us please get in touch

 

Have a look at some of the other ways Variety supports kids