Grants to support Victorian Children with a Medically Diagnosed Chronic Illness (Australia)

Funding Requests

• The grant applicant may only apply for one item that is directly related to the child’s diagnosis and is supported by a GP or an allied health professional.
• Some examples of grants include:
  • Freedom – Freedom to move with the assistance of mobility equipment.
    • Special needs strollers and pushchairs.
    • Wheelchairs – powered/electric/manual/sports (must be assessed, prescribed, and trialled by a licensed OT).
    • Bikes – including modified bikes, trikes and scooters.
    • Carrot Car Seats.
    • Hi-Lo chairs.
    • Gait trainers, walkers and standers.
    • Assistance dogs. Assistance dogs will only be considered if they help to give mobility and independence for children living with a disability.
  • Future – provides children with an intellectual or physical disability access to equipment.
    • Communication devices including iPads.
    • Learning aids.
    • Sports Wheelchair.
  • Caring – helps families care for their seriously ill children at home.
    • Nebulisers.
    • Insulin pumps o Robotic feeders.
    • Specialised beds and mattresses.
    • Sensory equipment (must be prescribed by an OT).

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for a grant the recipient/child must:
  • Be a Victorian resident.
  • Be aged 17 or under as at the round closing date, that is, has not turned 18.
  • Have a disability or long-term health condition as recognised by a designated health professional.
• To be eligible for a grant the family household income must:
  • be below $200,000 per annum. All income should be considered including any child support payments, rental income, investment income or any other income that is received by the parent/carer who is financially responsible for the recipient/child.
• Previous recipients/children can apply for additional grants 2 years after the date listed on their original outcome letter.
• You do not need to be part of the NDIS or approved under the NDIS to be eligible to apply.

Ineligible

• Services or equipment not directly related to a child’s special/extra needs, and which are not deemed medically/developmentally necessary.
• Travel expenses – including public transport and petrol.
• Warranties, insurance, maintenance, service agreements, batteries, repairs.
• Administrative fees or operational costs.
• Sports equipment that is non-adaptive or not sure support special needs.
• Expenses that have already been initiated or have already occurred prior to submission or written approval.
• Incomplete application forms.
• Equipment from non-Australian distributors that cannot be invoiced directly to Variety or services outside Australia.
• Capital works.
• Installation costs.
• Cars, car modifications or e-bikes.

For more information, visit Variety the Children’s Charity.