Variety’s programs are designed to be flexible to allow you to apply for the items that best meet your individual needs. Every child is different, so every application is considered on a case by case basis. Variety aims to ‘fill the gaps’ and prioritise requests for which there are no alternate sources of support.
Variety SA provides grants to children aged up to and including the age of 18, who are sick, have special needs or are disadvantaged, and who live in SA and are Australian citizens or have permanent resident status.
Variety’s Hair with Heart Program is run nationally and can provide assistance to children who live anywhere in Australia.
Variety also provides grants to schools and organisations that cater for children who are aged up to and including the age of 18, who are sick, have special needs or are disadvantaged, and who live in SA.
Variety helps children and their families with much-needed support for things like specialised equipment, medical supplies and educational learning aids.
Variety doesn’t provide grants for the following:
- Ongoing funding, such as repairs or maintenance of equipment
- Home modifications
- Salaries or administration expenses
- Research
- Carer’s expenses
- General and cash
- Travel expenses
- Retrospective funding
Where the Government can fund the item requested, Variety requests that you apply to the Government for that particular item. Variety aims to fill the gap. Variety may consider funding items where the Government has approved funding with an extended wait-
Grants are considered based on the quotes provided. Where all other things are equal, Variety will consider approving the cheaper of the quotes provided.
Vehicle modifications grants are capped at $10,000 towards the modification of the vehicle only.
Scholarship grants are capped at $5,000
Smile grants are capped at $1,000
For most grants you can apply at any time. The only exception is the Scholarship Program.
Variety’s application forms are powered by SmartyGrants, an online grant application system. You can access the application forms by first viewing our various programs and then following the buttons to get to the application forms.
For any technical issues with the online application system, such as forgetting your password, you will need to contact SmartyGrants on 03 9320 6888 between 9:00am – 5:00pm AEST, Monday to Friday or send them an email by clicking here.
Individual children can apply to each of Variety’s programs every 12 months.
Organisations can apply to each of Variety’s programs every 24 months.
If applying for an individual child, you will need:
- A completed grant application form
- Current financial documentation for the parents/guardian of the child. This must include copies of payslips and/or Centrelink Income Statements. Documents must be less than six months old.
- Three quotes for each item requested. The quotes must be less than six months old and include freight charges, if applicable.
- If applicable, a copy of the application that has been submitted to, together with any response received from your relevant State Government Equipment funding program (Enable NSW/ACTES) or through the NDIS.
- Two supporting letters from professional sources.
- One letter must be from a medical professional such as a GP or Paediatrician, to confirm the child’s diagnosis.
- The second letter should be from a professional source such as an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Social Worker or other health professional relevant to the application.
The supporting letters must be less than six months old and include the following information
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- your child’s diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis)
- your child’s prognosis, their symptoms and effects of their diagnosis on the quality of life of your child and your family
- how the recommended equipment is beneficial to your child
- evidence of trials of the equipment
- an indication of the urgency of the grant
If applying for an organisation, you will need:
- A completed grant application form.
- Three quotes for each item requested. The quotes must be less than six months old and include freight charges, if applicable.
Once an application has been submitted:
- Applications are assessed (we only assess applications that are fully compliant with our guidelines and include all necessary documentation )
- Assessed Applications are considered by the Grants Committee
- All applicants are notified via email after the Grants Committee has reached a decision. Please note this may take up to 6-8 weeks after a complete submission has been made.
- Variety’s preferred payment is on invoice, with payment made directly to the supplier. Where this is not possible, reimbursements may be made to the family/organisation for approved purchases, on receipt of original receipts.
- The grant should be spent within 12 months of the approval date. After this time, the grant will expire and a new application will need to be submitted. Grants for feeds, nappies and scholarships should be spent within 12 months of the approval date.
- Once the equipment has been delivered, the ownership is transferred directly from the supplier to the child’s family.
- The money granted by Variety cannot be transferred to another piece of equipment. If the equipment granted is no longer suitable or required, prior to being purchased, the grant will be cancelled. You will be able to submit a new application straight away.