Open Call: Equipment and Activity Grant Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Equipment and Activity Grant provides financial assistance to New Zealand families who need equipment, services, or activities that can improve the quality of life of a child or young person with a physical disability. Eligible applicants can receive up to NZ$6,900 including GST per child, subject to financial need and programme requirements. What Is the Equipment and Activity Grant? The Equipment and Activity Grant helps families access practical equipment, services, activities, or experiences that support children and young people with physical disabilities. The programme is particularly intended for families experiencing financial hardship or limited household resources. Funding can help children participate more fully in everyday life and access opportunities that may otherwise be unaffordable. The grant is available for eligible children and young adults aged 21 years or under who live in New Zealand. What Does the Grant Support? Funding can be used for eligible equipment, services, activities, or experiences that improve the applicant’s quality of life. The programme focuses on support connected to a child’s physical disability and participation needs.

Eligible support may include:

Disability-related equipment. Services that improve independence or participation. Activities that enhance wellbeing and quality of life. Experiences that provide meaningful participation opportunities. Other approved equipment or activities that meet the programme’s criteria. Applicants should demonstrate how the requested support will benefit the child or young person. Grant Amount Eligible applicants can receive up to NZ$6,900 including GST per child for equipment or activity support.

Key funding conditions include:

The maximum grant is NZ$6,900 including GST per child. One application can be made each year until the applicable grant limit is reached. Items or services that have already been purchased and paid for are not eligible. Intensive or overseas therapies are not funded under this grant. Other forms of assistance, such as counselling, holiday, young adult, and respite grants, have separate eligibility rules and annual limits. Who Is Eligible? The Equipment and Activity Grant is intended for families in New Zealand who meet the programme’s age, disability, residency, and financial-need requirements. Age Requirement The child or young person must be 21 years old or younger. Disability Requirement The applicant must have a physical disability that primarily affects the functioning of the body and/or limbs. A child may also have additional disabilities, including sensory or intellectual disabilities. However, the primary basis for the grant must be a physical disability. The programme uses the World Health Organization’s framework relating to: Impairments. Activity limitations.

Participation restrictions

Residency Requirement The applicant must meet the programme’s New Zealand residency requirements. Financial Need Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Household income thresholds vary depending on family size, so families should provide the required financial information when applying. How Does the Application Process Work? Families should apply before purchasing the equipment or service because reimbursement for items or services that have already been purchased and paid for is not available.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that:

The child is aged 21 or under. The child primarily has a physical disability. The family meets the New Zealand residency requirements. The household meets the applicable financial-need criteria. The requested equipment, activity, service, or experience is eligible.

Step 2: Identify the Required Support

Clearly identify what is being requested and explain how it will benefit the child or young person. The application should establish a clear connection between the requested support, the child’s disability, and the expected improvement in quality of life.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Information

Applicants should be prepared to provide evidence demonstrating: Financial circumstances. The child’s eligibility. The nature of the physical disability. The proposed equipment, activity, service, or experience. The expected benefit to the child or young person.

Step 4: Submit the Application Before Purchase

Do not purchase the requested item or service before the application has been approved if the programme does not permit retrospective funding.

Step 5: Wait for Assessment

Applications are assessed according to the grant amount. Applications for less than NZ$600 including GST are generally processed within approximately three working days. Applications for more than NZ$600 including GST are reviewed by the Grants Committee approximately every six weeks. Why Does This Grant Matter? The cost of disability-related equipment and activities can place significant financial pressure on families. The Equipment and Activity Grant helps reduce this barrier by providing financial assistance for resources that can improve a child’s independence, participation, wellbeing, and quality of life. The programme is particularly important for families who may not otherwise be able to afford suitable equipment or meaningful activities because of their household financial circumstances. Important Conditions to Remember Applicants should consider the following requirements before applying: The child must be 21 or younger. The primary disability must be physical. The applicant must meet New Zealand residency requirements. Financial need must be demonstrated. The maximum equipment or activity grant is NZ$6,900 including GST per child. Applications are limited to one per year until the relevant grant limit is reached. Do not purchase the requested item or service before applying. Intensive therapies are not eligible. Overseas therapies are not eligible. Other grant categories have separate funding limits and requirements. Common Mistakes to Avoid Applying After Purchasing