St John Ambulance (NT) Inc.

Making AEDs
accessible to
our community

Heart Grant logo

Thousands of people experience sudden cardiac arrest every year. It is a life-threatening emergency that often occurs outside of hospitals, and survival rates are critically low. However, with CPR and the timely use of an AED, the chance of surviving rises to 70%. In the vast Northern Territory, where medical assistance can take longer to arrive, public access to AEDs and community first aid skills are crucial.

The St John NT Heart Grant program, funded by the Northern Territory Government Community Benefit Fund, aims to equip local communities with the tools and training needed to respond to sudden cardiac arrests. There are currently 477 public access AEDs registered with the St John First Responder app in the NT. This new initiative will improve emergency preparedness and save the lives of our community members by increasing the current number of AEDs across the Territory by more than 10%.

Program Status

Applications are currently OPEN!
Applications close 5pm ACST Monday 30 June 2025, unless all AEDs have been allocated prior.
Successful applicants will be announced as they are approved.

What’s Included

Successful applicants will receive the following items, valued at over $2,500:

  • St John G5 iCPR Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • AED Ready Kit – essential supplies for AED maintenance and safety
  • Outdoor windowless cabinet – secure and weather-resistant storage
  • Signage and poster – clear, visible instructions for use
  • Training – AED training for core staff

Successful applicants will be required to pay just $249.

Applications

Download the St John NT Heart Grant application form here.

Please read the Terms and Conditions on the application form and ensure all sections of your application are completed to avoid delays in processing.

Applications must be submitted via email to: heartgrant@stjohnnt.asn.au

For enquiries or assistance with your application, please contact:

Colin Southam
Email: heartgrant@stjohnnt.asn.au
Phone: (08) 8935 2502

Frequently Asked Questions

A. The St John NT Heart Grant has been generously supported by the Northern Territory Government. To ensure the AEDs are placed with organisations dedicated to the long-term hosting and ongoing maintenance requirements of the device, a one-off payment of $249 is required. This helps us ensure the life-saving equipment goes to organisations committed to the ongoing safety and wellbeing of their community.
A. There is no set allocation per region. However, St John NT will consider the availability of existing public access AEDs in the immediate area when assessing applications.
A. Yes, we are aiming to increase accessibility to these life-saving devices across the Northern Territory. A condition of the grant is that the AED must be publicly accessible.
A: Applicants will be notified of the outcome once the review process is complete. If you have any questions regarding your application, you can email heartgrant@stjohnnt.asn.au.
A. The AED and associated equipment will be delivered to the location specified in the grant application from the St John NT warehouse in Winnellie. We will coordinate the delivery and AED training to be on a mutually agreed-upon day. However, the recipient organisation is responsible for the installation of the cabinet and defibrillator.
A. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and assessed based on merit. While we encourage submitting applications as soon as possible, the quality of your application should be prioritised over speed.
A. If the defibrillator is used on someone in an emergency, St John NT will cover the cost of replacing the defibrillator pads. Otherwise, the grant recipient is responsible for any ongoing maintenance costs.
A. St John NT will add your organisation’s AED location and contact details to the St John First Responder App once confirmation of installation has been received. It is your organisation's responsibility to notify St John NT of any changes to the defibrillator location or contact details via email at heartgrant@stjohnnt.asn.au.
A: Yes, you may apply for multiple AEDs if your organisation operates in more than one location. Each application will be assessed on its individual merits, with consideration given to the needs of each location.
A: To be eligible, your organisation must be a local community group, sporting club, or not-for-profit based in the Northern Territory. The AED must be installed in a location where it will be accessible to the public.
A: If your application is not successful, you will be notified via email. While there may not be immediate availability, you are welcome to apply in any future rounds of the program or talk to our retail store about purchasing the equipment.
A: No, your AED should not be used for training, as this can be dangerous to users, and may damage the device and prevent it from being ready for use in an emergency. St John NT offers CPR and AED training courses, using designated training devices. To book a course, email training@stjohnnt.asn.au.
A: If the AED is damaged or faulty, please contact St John NT immediately. We will assess the device and determine the necessary steps for repair or replacement.

Copyright ©2025 All rights reserved  |  St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc.

Legal  |  1300 ST JOHN