Dance Up!
Sporting Schools Program
Dance Up! brings the joy of dance into Australian classrooms. It is DanceSport Australia's official program under the Australian Government's Sporting Schools initiative, administered by the Australian Sports Commission.
Programs are delivered at your school by Endorsed Providers — dance studios registered with DanceSport Australia — and are free of charge to students and their families.
Funding applications close 5:00 pm AEST, Friday 21 August 2026.
Schools apply to the Australian Sports Commission for Sporting Schools funding, then choose DanceSport as their sport.
Apply at ausport.gov.au/schools
Where would you like to start?
Why dance?
- Builds coordination, balance, rhythm and spatial awareness — the fundamental movement skills that underpin every sport
- Fully inclusive: no equipment, no oval, no minimum team size, and every student participates at once
- Runs indoors in a hall or classroom, in any weather, at any time of year
- Develops confidence, co-operation and social skills alongside physical literacy
- Connects students to a genuine community pathway through DanceSport Australia's registered studios
Safeguarding
Every Trainer delivering Dance Up! must be a current member of DanceSport Australia, hold a current Working with Children Check, and hold Trainer Accreditation appropriate to the age group being taught. DanceSport Australia maintains a central register of Trainers for every Endorsed Provider and verifies these requirements.