Building Fund for Non-Government Schools – Independent

The program aims to ensure that every Victorian student has access to a quality school close to home, regardless of their background or where they live.

To be eligible,

• An existing non-government school must:

1. 1. be registered with the Victorian Registration Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
   2. be a member, or prospective member, of the relevant Block Grant Authority

• New non-government schools must be able to demonstrate some certainty of successful establishment, operation and government, in line with the relevant sector body’s requirements.
• Schools must additionally provide evidence demonstrating:
  1. well-developed independent (third-party) cost estimates consistent with the scope of the proposed works
  2. floor plans / project drawings detailing the proposed works
  3. a site plan to illustrate what parts of the land or building will be changed by your project
  4. project readiness, including a time commitment indicating construction will begin within 12 months of announcement

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for BFNGS support.

Funding may be provided for the following items as part of the project, as appropriate:

• furniture, fixtures and equipment
• computers

Grants are not available for:

• retrospective assistance: an application is considered to be retrospective if a project applicant enters into a commitment prior to receiving a formal letter of offer from the Department. This includes applicants signing a construction contract, commencing site works or construction
• places of worship
• purchase of cars, buses and other vehicles
• staff salaries and training
• ongoing administration costs
• playground equipment as a stand-alone project
• toys and consumables
• appliances as a stand-alone project
• swimming pools
• early learning centres (ELCs)
• routine maintenance
• purchasing land, with or without existing buildings.

See the guidelines for full details of expenditure eligible for BFNGS support.

1. Enrolment demand

• The project will provide additional enrolment capacity in response to a proven enrolment demand.

2. Location

• The school or potential school is located in a growth area as defined by the Metropolitan Planning Authority; OR
• The school or potential school is located in regional Victoria; OR
• The school or potential school is located in a suburb of localised population growth.

3. Condition

• Facilities at the school are below a reasonable standard to provide modern, fit for purpose learning environments and require refurbishment to achieve a good minimum condition standard.

4. Financial and socio-economic need

• The school is in need of the funding to complete the project, including when judged on their:
  1. Student fees and contributions
  2. Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA) ranking
  3. financial assets and borrowing capacity
  4. school fundraising capacity.

5. Project outcomes

• The project aligns with the universal design principles to ensure facilities better accommodate a diverse student and staff base with varied needs and abilities;
• The project aims to produce improvement in student outcomes or student engagement and wellbeing;
• The project provides a durable, flexible and environmentally sustainable approach;
• The project maximises opportunities for community use and sharing of facilities.

6. Project readiness

• Construction will begin within 12 months of announcement of funding;
• Planning permits have been issued;
• Planning permits have been requested.

See the assessment table in the guidelines to know which project category each criterion applies.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Applicants must:

• familiarise themselves with the Local Jobs First Policy, which is implemented by Victorian Government departments and agencies to help drive local industry development.
• be able to demonstrate some certainty of successful establishment, operation and government, in line with the relevant sector body’s requirements.
• demonstrate how the proposed project meets the assessment criteria and must submit the relevant supporting documentation

An indication of the types of supporting documentation include:

• evidence the applicant is an eligible organisation, as per the eligibility criteria
• a well-developed project proposal that meets the aims of the Program with achievable timeframes
• evidence of land or building ownership, or evidence of permission from the land and building owner for a minimum of 10 years use
• data on current and future capacity on completion of the project
• a statement of the education and community benefits of the proposed projects
• details of how the new facilities will meet the needs of the local community
• date stamped photographs demonstrating condition of facilities which are the subject of the grant application
• well-developed independent (third party) cost estimates consistent with the scope of the proposed works, including cash flow and evidence of contingency planning. At a minimum this would include:
  1. for projects over $200,000 an independent estimate from a quantity surveyor; OR
  2. for projects $200,000 and under, cost estimates from two building professionals. Each cost estimate MUST include:
     • the trading name of the organisation providing the cost estimate or quotation;
     • an Australian Business Number; and
     • itemisation of individual costs to demonstrate all expenditure is eligible under these guidelines.

• floor plans / project drawings detailing the proposed works
• a site plan to illustrate what parts of the land or building will be changed by your project
• evidence of the financial viability of the school should be provided
• evidence of the availability of other funding contributions to meet the total cost of the project, including details of any partners and their specific contributions to the project
• outline of student fees, charges and parental contributions collected by the school.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted online using the SmartyGrants portal.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.