Gold Coast City Council AED Grant 2026:

A Practical Guide to Getting Grant Ready (Before 2 March)

Need an AED for your club or community facility? The City of Gold Coast is running a one-off Defibrillator Grant Program to help eligible community and sporting organisations purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and associated supplies. Applications are open from 11 February 2026 and close at midnight 2 March 2026 (AEST), with grants available up to $2,400.

What the AED Grant covers (and what you should budget for)

The program is designed to fund the purchase of an AED and the key supporting items needed to make it usable and maintainable. Eligible items can include the device itself, plus associated supplies such as a carry case, wall cabinet or bracket, signage, patient preparation items, and replacement pads.

• Grant value: up to $2,400
• Applications close: 2 March 2026 (AEST)
• Assessment timing: determined within 4 weeks after closing
• Key requirement: the AED must be purchased from an Australian AED supplier and be approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Practical note: A strong application usually reads like a readiness plan, not just a shopping list. The goal is to show community benefit, clear placement, and a sensible approach to maintaining operability over time.

Step 1: Choose the right AED for your environment

When selecting an AED, focus on what matters in real-life use: simple prompts, quick deployment, durability for your setting, and practical support for ongoing maintenance. If your facility is publicly accessed or used on event days, ensure the AED is easy to locate and protected from accidental damage.

Example device: The Mindray C1A Fully Automatic Defibrillator with 4G is available from Mega Office Supplies and can be considered as part of an end-to-end readiness set-up.

Mindray C1A Fully Automatic Defibrillator with 4G

Step 2: Make it findable in seconds (cabinet, bracket and signage)

An AED is only helpful if someone can locate it immediately. The highest risk in an emergency is delay caused by confusion or searching. A wall-mounted cabinet or bracket in a consistent, visible location reduces response time and improves confidence for staff, volunteers and bystanders.

• Cabinet or bracket: select one mounting approach per location to keep it simple
• Clear signage: place signs at decision points (entries, corridors, clubrooms, canteens)
• On-wall guidance: a CPR chart can support consistent action, especially for volunteers

Tip: In your application, describe your placement strategy in plain language. For example: “Mounted in the clubroom entry corridor, visible from the main entrance, with signage at the front gate and canteen.”

Step 3: Include the “small” items that make the response smoother

Associated supplies often make the difference between a stressed response and a controlled one. Patient preparation items, gloves, and a basic responder kit help streamline pad application and improve hygiene, especially in public venues and high-traffic settings.

• Patient preparation kit: gloves, mask, shears, shaving items (as appropriate)
• Spare pads: adult and, if relevant to your venue, child pads
• Cleaning wipes for safe, practical post-incident clean-up

Tip: If you must choose between multiple variants (for example pad types), select the most relevant option for your audience and explain the rationale in your application narrative rather than listing multiple versions.

Step 4: Prove operability with a simple maintenance plan

The assessment criteria include your ability to maintain and ensure operability of the AED. You do not need a complicated system. You need a repeatable one. A nominated “AED custodian” and a short monthly check routine is often enough to demonstrate you will keep the device ready.

Suggested monthly check routine (5 minutes):

• Confirm AED status indicator shows “ready” (per the device instructions)
• Check cabinet/bracket is accessible and signage is intact
• Confirm pads and kit contents are present and within expiry windows
• Record the check date and initials in a simple log

Tip: Align your AED check with an existing routine (for example, the first aid kit check, a monthly committee meeting, or the start of each sporting month).

Step 5: Write your application like a community benefit statement

Beyond compliance, the program is designed to enhance outcomes for the broader community. Your application should clearly explain how the AED will support members, spectators, visitors, and the activation of your facility. Be specific about foot traffic, event frequency, and who will benefit.

Examples of strong community benefit framing:

• “Our venue hosts weekly fixtures and weekend community events with consistent spectator attendance.”
• “The AED will be accessible during training nights, competition days, and community hires.”
• “We will nominate an AED custodian and maintain a simple monthly inspection record to ensure readiness.”

Quick checklist: Are you grant ready?

• We are eligible (incorporated association, P&C, ACNC charity, or auspiced)
• We can submit only one application (and have no outstanding acquittals)
• We have selected an AED from an Australian supplier, approved for use in Australia
• We have planned mounting (cabinet or bracket) and clear signage
• We have listed the key associated supplies (pads, prep kit, etc.)
• We have a maintenance plan with a nominated custodian and monthly checks
• We can retain invoices and provide photos for acquittal if funded

An AED is more than a purchase. It is a readiness system: installed, visible, supported by the right accessories, and kept operational through simple routines. If you are eligible for the Gold Coast City Council program, acting early gives you time to plan placement, document your approach, and submit with confidence before 2 March 2026.

Related product (example):
Mindray C1A Fully Automatic Defibrillator with 4G: View on Mega Office Supplies