Funding Your School Playground Equipment Upgrade

Budgeting & Cost

Schools & Education

29 Jul 2025

Many schools across Australia encounter financial hurdles when it comes to upgrading their playground equipment.

Upgrading your school’s playground equipment is a valuable investment—one that delivers lasting benefits for students but can also present financial challenges. With play playing such a vital role in children’s growth and learning, the effort to create a modern, engaging, and safe play space is well worth it. Thoughtfully planning your fundraising strategy and making the most of every dollar can help transform your vision into reality more efficiently.

If your school is able to allocate even a modest amount from the existing budget, this can serve as a strong foundation for your upgrade. Starting with any available funds not only lifts financial pressure but also builds momentum for your broader fundraising journey.

The guide below offers a range of practical suggestions to assist in turning an outdated, uninspiring, or unsafe playground into a dynamic play environment. Remember, every school’s path to securing funds may look different and might involve creative approaches beyond what’s been tried before. Often, a successful upgrade draws from a mix of funding sources—grants, school contributions, and community fundraising, combined to bring the project to life.

Fundraising

Fundraising remains a trusted approach for schools aiming to secure the resources needed for new playground equipment. While campaigns often require persistence, sustained enthusiasm across your school community is key to achieving your goals. Harnessing the collective spirit and involvement of students, parents, and staff, along with consistent, open communication, lays the foundation for successful fundraising.

Keeping everyone informed about the purpose of your fundraising efforts and regularly updating progress helps maintain energy and support. Utilising channels like social media and sending updates home with students are effective ways to share your vision for the new playground, celebrate milestones, and keep momentum strong throughout the project.

For inspiration on fundraising initiatives, explore resources online by searching for ‘fundraising ideas for schools’ or visit the recommended sites below:

Grants

There are numerous capital works grants available to schools that could contribute to funding a school playground, however, finding them and applying for them correctly can be difficult.

Visit the below sites for grant information and applications:

To understand how much the project is realistically going to cost, it is always a good idea to get a playground proposal before submitting your grant applications. Supporting information such as playground illustrations will improve your chances of a successful grant.

Staged Playgrounds

If your school has a vision for a new playground but only immediate funding for part of the project, a staged approach can offer a practical solution. Playground designs can be developed in multiple phases, with each stage expertly planned and constructed to seamlessly accommodate future additions.

This flexible strategy allows your playground to expand in line with student numbers and available resources. Although planning a staged upgrade may require extra consideration and forethought, the long-term benefits for your school community make it a worthwhile investment.

Leasing

Leasing offers schools an alternative way to finance playground equipment. By working with select finance providers, your school can access new equipment immediately and spread the repayments over a manageable timeframe.

adventure+ has been helping schools create playground equipment for over 40 years. Contact a friendly playground consultant to get advice for your playground project!