Living Heritage Grants Program

The program’s objective is to safeguard and reactivate Victoria’s key heritage sites and to deliver heritage conservation, community, social, economic and environmental benefits to the wider community.

Eligible applicants are:

• a Victorian municipal council
• a community or not-for-profit organisation that is a legal entity
• a committee of management under the Crown Lands (Reserves) Act 1978
• a trust appointed pursuant to a restricted Crown grant, and cemetery trusts appointed under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003
• a place of worship or, in some eligible cases, an owner of a privately-owned place or object. These organisations must match grant funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis, must met public accessibility criteria and must demonstrate significant community/social and public benefit from the investment

All applicants must be either an Incorporated body or Association, Cooperative or be auspiced by a group with this status. They must also have an ABN or provide a completed ATO form (Statement by a supplier).

Ineligible applicants include:

• any party that has failed to complete, or has not yet completed, any heritage related works or projects funded under previous State or Commonwealth heritage grants programs
• other State government agencies

See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible organisations.

Eligible projects include conservation works to the exterior and/or interiors of Victorian Heritage Register listed places and objects to improve their overall condition and mitigate the risk to the place.

Places and objects must be publicly accessible and the investment provide a significant benefit to the community.

All projects must:

• mitigate the identified risk(s) to the place or object
• be guided by advice sought from a heritage professional^*, such as a heritage architect or advisor
• in responding to the program criteria to support heritage at risk, prioritise those conservation works which are prioritised as urgent
• not have started and must be able to complete within two financial years and have realistic project timelines
• follow best practice conservation methodology, such as replacing materials in a like-for-like manner, rather than introduce modern materials

^*The cost for engaging a heritage professional, as well as any specialists they identify, may be funded by the grant.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• repairs to roofs, installation of new guttering and downpipes, or stonework repairs, using traditional materials and methods
• re-stumping and repairs to timber framing, weatherboards, windows and doors
• works that will enable the re-use of a building that has been unoccupied due to poor condition
• repairs, restoration or reconstruction and conservation of an object at risk of deterioration.
• protection works such as the installation of appropriate fire protection systems
• conservation works or documentation of conservation works to listed places or objects located in Victorian communities impacted by bushfires
• documentation projects will be considered if the project outcomes demonstrate a commitment to undertake urgent ‘at risk’ works to the place

One application can be submitted per project, per round, per heritage place or object.

Complex or multi-phased projects may be eligible to apply in more than one grant round, however, successful funding in one round does not guarantee funding in subsequent rounds. Each phase must therefore be independent.

A project manager with heritage conservation experience is recommended for all projects and is mandatory for projects valued at $50,000 or more. A percentage of grant funds may be used to fund this, except for applications from councils, who should use internal project management resources.

Ineligible projects include:

• places and objects not on the Victorian Heritage Register
• places and objects with no or limited public access
• privately owned places and objects with no public access/benefit
• regular maintenance activities
• refurbishment projects
• repair of damage that should be covered by insurance
• purchase of heritage places, associated land, equipment, furniture, storage or display cabinets
• relocation of heritage buildings or objects
• demolition or other works that may affect heritage significance
• employment or remuneration of staff

See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of eligible and ineligible projects.

Prepare a project budget that clearly breaks down the cost of the project, including at least 15% contingency.

Prepare your supporting documentation, including:

• current copy of the certificate of title
• signed letter of consent from the owner
• images demonstrating the risk to the place
• supporting information about public access
• supporting information detailing the project scope, and two quotes for each works component or trade/specialist

A heritage permit or exemption is not required but is advantageous and therefore recommended. You should also consider other likely approvals required.

Applications must also include a project scope that has been developed with advice from a heritage professional. The project scope will include:

• project timelines
• a conservation methodology
• for physical works, documentation to guide the works, such as a conservation works plan, conservation management plan or condition report
• for documentation projects, clear briefs outlining the investigations and reports

See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted via the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning grants portal.

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