Supporting sun safe outdoor spaces in school and early childhood settings
Cancer Council SA and Preventive Health SA have partnered to deliver the Shade Grant Initiative (the initiative). The initiative will provide public education or care sites with an opportunity to apply via Cancer Council SA for grant funding of up to $50,000 to construct or structurally repair a permanent shade structure/s.
Children and young people depend on safe environments in school and early childhood settings—including having access to effective shade to ensure they are protected from harmful UV exposure. Well designed and strategically placed shade aligning with Cancer Council guidelines can reduce UV radiation exposure by up to 75 per cent.
The initiative aims to increase access to adequate shade for children in school and early childhood settings as well as supporting the Government’s development and implementation of sun protection strategies in these settings.
The initiative can fund the instalment of a new, permanent shade structure in an outdoor space where there is a need for shade and in an area that is currently used by children or will be used by children. It can also be used to repair an existing permanent shade structure to ensure that the protection the structure provides is not compromised and that the space remains usable for children.
What the grant can be used for
The activity funded by the grant is the construction of a new permanent shade structure or repairs to an existing permanent shade structure at the grant site.
- New structures must increase the percentage of children that have access to shade at the grant site during school hours, specifically during lunch and recess.
- Repairs to exiting shade structures must increase the usability of the structure for shade and increase the lifetime of the shade structure.
- These structures should provide a durable, long-term shade solution.
- All items purchased with funding become the property of your organisation and the ongoing maintenance becomes your responsibility.
- Compliance with any council requirements or Department for Education requirements is the responsibility of your organisation. View the Education Design Standards for shade structures here.
We encourage applicants to read the SunSmart shade-guidelines when determining where to locate the shade structure.
Grant conditions
- Applicants are asked to contribute 10 per cent of the total grant amount awarded to them on top of the total grant.
- Applicants must demonstrate support from their governing council, management committee or school board to apply for the grant
- Applicants must identify the need for the shade grant, the type of structure or repairs the grant would fund, and the impact it would make.
- Applicants must provide a photo of where shade structure would go, or where the structure to be repaired is, and a site map.
- Applicants will be asked to submit a financial acquittal and grant summary.
How to apply
You can only submit one application for your education institution. If more than one application is submitted for the same education institution, only the latest application will be considered.
To apply you must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the grant
- Complete the online application form which will be live on the website from the 1st of December 2025
- Provide all the information requested
- Address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria
- Include all necessary attachments
- Submit your application by 5pm 20th February 2026
Check your eligibility using the link below.
Eligible education sites will be sent the Grant Opportunity Guidelines so they can prepare their application.
Eligibility criteria
Protect their play, check your eligibility today.
Grant Process
- Check your eligibility online
- Applications open 1 December 2025
- Applications close 5pm, 20 February 2026
- We assess all grant applications
- We notify successful applicants by 13 March 2026
- Grant agreements are signed by 9 April 2026
- Unsuccessful Grant applicants are notified by 10 April 2026
- Grant recipients deliver the grant activity and funds are paid 9 April 2026 – 30 June 2027
- Grant recipients submit the final report and financial declaration by 31 July 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my eligibility?
You can check your eligibility for the grant by using the ‘check your eligibility link’ situated under the first section about the shade grants on this website. The link will take you to a form housed on the SurveyMonkey platform. There are four questions to complete, and this will determine your eligibility.
When I checked my eligibility, why did the form close when I clicked one of the answers?
If you select no to any of the questions you will not meet the eligibility requirements for the grant. If you selected it accidentally you can revisit the link and check your eligibility again.
When can I submit my application?
Applications can be submitted from 5pm, 1 December 2025.
How do I submit my application?
Applications are submitted via the online application form.
Cancer Council SA will send sites (that have had their eligibility confirmed by using the ‘check your eligibility link’, situated under the first section about the shade grants on this website) a link to the application form on 1 December 2025.
If you have not received your link, please contact shadegrants@cancersa.org.au
When do grant applications close?
Applications for the grant close at 5pm, 20 February 2026.
Cancer Council SA is unable to accept applications after 5pm, 20 February 2026 and recommends allowing yourself adequate time to submit your application prior to the closing date.
When will successful applicants be notified?
Cancer Council SA will notify all successful applicants by 13 March 2026.
When will unsuccessful applicants be notified?
Cancer Council SA will notify all unsuccessful applicants by 9 April 2026.
How do we know how much to apply for?
We recommend getting two or three quotes for the type of shade structure you want, or for the repairs you want to do. This way you will know what amount to apply for. We have lengthened the application period for the grant to allow applicants time to do this. We recommend applying for slightly more than the most expensive quote to ensure you have adequate funds to complete the scope of works.
Cancer Council SA will fund a maximum of $50,000. If your quote exceeds $50,000, you must be able to finance the remaining amount.
If you are applying for funds for a new shade structure larger than 4m x 4m it will likely cost approximately $50,000 depending on the type of structure. Applications for funds to be used for structural repairs can be less and the application form will allow for applicants to apply for funds in increments up to $50,000.
What if we can’t contribute 10 per cent of the cost?
If an applicant foresees difficulty making the 10 per cent contribution, the reason for this should be included in the letter from the governing council or school board and Cancer Council SA may choose to reduce or waive the 10 per cent contribution. Sites with a 1–3 Index of Educational Disadvantage should also state this in the letter and request for the 10 per cent contribution to be waived or lessened.
Can we contribute more than 10 per cent towards the shade structure?
Yes, you can. For applicants choosing to build a larger or more complex structure, the total cost may exceed the maximum grant offering and therefore sites can certainly contribute more of their own funds to ensure they get the structure they need.
What is a permanent shade structure?
A permanent shade structure is a fixed structure that cannot be repositioned/moved. It will meet the Department’s Education Facilities Design Standards.
What if the shade structure costs more than $50,000?
CCSA will fund a maximum of $50,000. If your quote exceeds $50,000 you can still apply for the grant, but you must be able to finance the remaining amount.
How can we make sure our application provides the correct information?
The application form is designed to help you provide the information we are looking for and how much information we expect from you. Questions will indicate text limits to give you an understanding of how much detail we would expect. The grant guidelines provide further information about this.
What should the letter from our governing council or school board have in it?
The letter should endorse the site’s application for the shade grant, listing the amount sought and type of shade structure or repairs. The letter should confirm that the site has funds to cover the 10 per cent contribution or their confidence to raise these funds in time. It should also confirm the site’s capacity to cover costs exceeding the grant amount and the ongoing maintenance costs.
If the site is unable to raise the 10 per cent contribution, the letter should also include a request for this to be waived or lessened stating the reason why.
For sites that have a level 1–3 Index of Educational Disadvantage and are unable to raise the required 10 per cent contribution, the letter of endorsement should state this and request the 10 per cent contribution to be waived or lessened.
How will applicants be assessed?
Only applications which meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed. There is a total of $250,000 available under this initiative, with a maximum of $50,000 per grant. Therefore, applications will be assessed against each other based on the impact the grant will have, the geographic location of the site and its relevance to melanoma rates and UV radiation levels. Weighting is allocated to application questions; the highest rated applications will be awarded funding.
How can I make sure the proposed shade structure is suitable for our site?
Cancer Council SA recommends using the SunSmart Shade Assessment form to see if there is enough shade at your site in areas where children spend time learning, eating or playing. This can help you work out what shade is already there, how good that shade is and what improvements could be made.
How are payments made and what frequency?
Payment will be from Cancer Council SA for the amount as stated on the accompanying contractor invoice.
The grant amount will be paid in two instalments: one instalment to pay the deposit for works to commence and the second instalment will be paid on completion of the scope of works. A separate invoice must be submitted for each payment. Details about this will be in the Grant Agreement.
Can Cancer Council SA pay directly to the contractor building constructing/repairing the shade structure?
No, Cancer Council SA will not make payments directly to contractors, and contractors should not send invoices to Cancer Council SA.
Should contractors send invoices to Cancer Council SA?
No, Cancer Council SA will not make payments directly to contractors, and contractors should not send invoices to Cancer Council SA. The contractor should provide their invoices to the successful applicant. The successful applicant should send an invoice requesting Cancer Council SA pays the amount for the scope of works and they should pay the contractor.
Can we be paid in one lump sum at the start of the grant?
Cancer Council SA will not pay the full amount of the grant prior to completion of the full scope of works under the grant activity. If the deposit is $50,000 or more, then Cancer Council SA will pay half of this and the remaining half on completion.
Can we submit more than one application?
You can only submit one application for your education institution. For example, if you have a school and ELC, you can only submit one application. You cannot submit one for the school and one for the ELC even if they are at different addresses.
If more than one application is submitted for the same education institution, only the latest application will be considered.
How do we find out if we are a SunSmart site?
Visit one of the below links to find out if your school or ECH centre is SunSmart.
Check if your school is SunSmart.
Check if your Early Childhood Centre is SunSmart.
What does it mean to be SunSmart?
The SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood Program is a free award program that supports early childhood education and care services, out of school hours care and schools to develop and implement comprehensive sun protection policy and practice.
A SunSmart site is one that:
- has a comprehensive sun protection policy that meets a minimum standard covering the areas of education, behaviour and the environment
- provides, or is working towards, adequate shade facilities
- ensures children and staff are well protected when the UV radiation level is 3 and above, particularly during peak UV times of the day
- teaches, role models and reinforces positive sun protection behaviours
- agrees to undertake three-yearly policy reviews with Cancer Council SA to ensure policy and practices stay up to date with the national standard.
How do we become a SunSmart site?
For any other queries please email shadegrants@cancersa.org.au