‘Somewhere to turn’ for children and young adults with rare diseases. Support us today by donating here.

Grant Guidelines

Our philosophy is to support those with the rarest diseases in Australia, especially those ineligible for support from other organisations.

  • Please complete all sections in the online application - partial or incomplete applications cannot be presented to our Committees.
  • All invoices or quotes must come directly from an Australian Supplier of the product/service in Australian Dollars and be valid at the time of the application for a minimum of up to three months.
  • Should your application be successful, any additional costs that have not been included can not be covered by the Foundation.
  • Approved applicant funding must be used within 12 months of the date of Grant Approval.

Criteria for funding:

  • The Steve Waugh Foundation will support children and young adults aged 0-25 years who have a rare disease with a prevalence of at least 2:100,000.
  • You must be an Australian Citizen of at least five years or an Australian permanent resident of at least five years to gain assistance from the Foundation and;
  • Have a recognised rare disease as identified on ORPHANET: www.orpha.net, or if not recognised your medical specialist must confirm the disease is rare
  • Have an Australian Medicare card
  • Have already made an application for government funding assistance for the requested item, e.g. NDIS - with documented evidence or NDIS approval or decline
  • The rare disease has been formally and officially diagnosed by a Paediatrician or other Medical Specialist
  • You have and can provide evidence of the diagnosis of the rare disease signed off by a Paediatrician or other medical specialist 
  • You have and can provide medical, health and other support documentation required as part of your application

Medical Specialists:

  • A Medical Specialist is any doctor (not a GP), who has qualified in a specialty e.g. Paediatrician, MBBS. Allied health professional 
  • Social workers, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapist are NOT classified as Medical Specialists

What the Foundation will fund:

The Foundation will consider funding - 

  • Equipment
  • Mobility Aids 
  • Communication Devices
  • Therapy
  • Minor home modifications (home must be owned by Grant Applicant)

What the Foundation does NOT fund:

The Foundation is not currently able to provide financial assistance for -

  • Purchase of new or used vehicles or their modification
  • Intensive Behavioural Therapy (IBT) and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
  • Major home modifications/renovations e.g. swimming pools, spas
  • Rent, mortgage payments, household utilities, general living expenses 
  • Conferences, meetings, travel, accommodation - local and international
  • Costs associated with doctor and specialist appointments and surgeries 
  • Carers
  • Research and Clinical Trials
  • Assistance Dogs

In line with our philosophy to fund items that are ineligible to be funded from other sources, you must identify:

  • Other eligible sources of funding you have tried
  • Supports received from other charitable organisations
  • Supports received previously from the Steve Waugh Foundation

We will not always be in a position to support all individual, family and community requests.