Sporting clubs across NSW can now apply for a share of $500,000 in funding to purchase life-saving defibrillators.

Eligible sporting organisations can apply for up to $3000 to buy automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for their facilities, under a state government program. Since the program began, more than 2000 defibrillators have been installed across sports venues in NSW.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-Deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, highlighted the effectiveness of defibrillators.

“Survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest,” he said.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper emphasised the importance of the initiative.

"With more than 9000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in NSW each year, the first few minutes following an incident are critical, and access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death," Mr Kamper said.

The government aims to equip clubs with the ability to respond swiftly to emergencies, particularly in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, which claim many lives each year.