Lewis Bishop couldn't afford to buy a car before he won Paralympic gold in Paris and can now rely on a record funding boost he labelled life changing to fill it.
The federal government on Wednesday confirmed $513 million in high performance funding to support Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes and bolster programs ahead of Brisbane's 2032 Games.
Importantly, $42.8 million has been allocated to the daily living and training expenses of close to 1000 athletes.
Athletes like Bishop, a student in Brisbane, can claim up to $43,000 as part of the dAIS program.
"It's not only improved my performance, but my life in general and my future," Lewis, whose leg was amputated after a boating accident when he was nine, told AAP.
"I have this 2016 Nissan Pulsar I drive to training ... it's hanging on.
"But I didn't have a car until after Paris, I couldn't afford it. I'd saved about $1000 while working as a lifeguard, but hadn't made a single dollar from swimming, but then got myself on the podium in Paris.
"Without this funding I wouldn't be able to get to training in the first place. So I feel like the luckiest guy in the world."
The funding covers 68 sports programs over the next two years and includes first-time assistance for Curling Australia, Biathlon Australia and Ice Racing Australia as part of an historic increase in Winter Olympic support.
"No one backs our Aussie athletes like the Australian Government and this investment provides the platform for our athletes to perform at their best on the world stage," Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins said.
"The united approach behind the Win Well strategy has resulted in some extraordinary results.
"As we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond, a collaborative approach will continue to deliver many magical moments that will make Australians proud."
