Funding opportunity to support larger-scale capital fund projects in government schools across Australia such as new classrooms, building refurbishments, outdoor learning spaces or major upgrades.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Schools Upgrade Fund (SUF)?
The Commonwealth will provide $215.8 million to support capital infrastructure upgrade projects in government schools across Australia under Round 2 of the Schools Upgrade Fund. It will enable investment in large-scale capital projects such as new facilities, major refurbishments and upgrades to government schools.
Round 2 of the Schools Upgrade Fund will be delivered in partnership with state and territory education departments. The department is responsible for the overall administration of the Fund, with projects endorsed by the Australian Government Minister for Education based on advice from by state and territory ministers for education.
Individual schools will apply for funding and deliver projects, together with their state or territory government, as applicable. However, it is the state or territory government as the approved authority for the school, as defined under the Act and the Regulation, which has responsibility for the school and accountability for the use of any funding paid.
SUF level of support
Funding
- A total of $215.8 million will be allocated to state and territory governments for projects at schools whose applications are endorsed by the Minister for Education.
- Minimum funding – $250,000 per project
- Maximum funding – not indicated
Co-contribution
- In addition to funding provided through the Schools Upgrade Fund, the total cost of the project may include funding contributions from the school or the relevant state or territory.
SUF important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
SUF objectives and priorities
Round 2 funding will be needs based, prioritising schools experiencing the greatest disadvantage. Project funding will prioritise:
- projects that support schools with a low Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA) value
- eligible projects for disadvantaged schools that have not received significant capital funding in the past two years (that is, projects valued at $250,000 or more in 2022 or 2023).
- projects that support schools that cater to disadvantaged students, such as:
- special schools
- special assistance schools or
- majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schools.
Projects and expenditure eligible for SUF support
The relevant state or territory department of education for the school must support the application. Schools must engage with their approved authority (their state/territory local department of education) to ensure they have their support.
Large-scale capital projects such as new facilities, major refurbishments and upgrades are in scope. Eligible projects include (but are not limited to):
- building or upgrading facilities essential to support student learning and/or wellbeing, other subject-specific facilities (such as art facilities, music rooms, technical and applied studies facilities, sporting facilities etc.) or other critical school infrastructure
- upgrading playground and outdoor learning facilities
- for schools with a high proportion of ageing demountable buildings, replacing these with permanent structures or modern modular teaching spaces. 2023
Funding is not available for:
- projects with a Commonwealth funding requirement of less than $250,000 (GST exclusive)
- projects that have commenced prior to the school receiving notification of approval from the department. Project commencement includes making financial commitments (for example, purchase orders placed or invoices received) for work involved in the project. Preliminary work undertaken by a school to prepare its applications (for example, research, scoping, obtaining costs or quotes) does not constitute project commencement
- projects where the majority of use will be by overseas students or any other students who would not attract funding under the Act
- projects that are principally for pre-primary education, being children below the prescribed state or territory school starting age
- a facility that is not in a formal school setting (for example, an Early Learning Centre attached to a school)
- expenses relating to security to obtain, or comply with, any form of loan, credit, payment or other interest
- expenses relating to the preparation of, or in the course of, any litigation.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for SUF support.
Other SUF important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for SUF support
Round 2 of the Fund is open to all government schools that attracted Commonwealth recurrent funding through an approved authority for 2023 under the Act.
To be eligible for funding, the school must anticipate continuing to operate in 2024 (for example, a school would be ineligible if it is closing at the end of 2023 or will have no enrolled students in 2024).
The school must have at least one enrolled student at the time of submitting an application.
Government schools that received funding through Round 1 of the Schools Upgrade Fund – the Targeted Round or the Open Round – are eligible to apply for funding under Round 2 of the Fund.
See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for SUF support.
SUF assessment process
Once the application period closes, the department will undertake eligibility and completeness checks of the applications and ensure:
- the school attracted recurrent funding under the Act in 2023 and is expected to continue to operate in 2024
- the school has at least one enrolled student at the time of submitting the application
- projects are eligible funding activities
- the relevant state or territory department of education for the school has endorsed the project
- the application confirms that funding for the project will be committed to be spent by 31 December 2024 or as otherwise agreed with the department.
Following the initial check, the department will provide all applications received to the relevant state or territory department of education for consideration.
The relevant state and territory department of education will consider all eligible expressions of interest received from their schools and assess applications on the basis of need.
Based on these assessments, state and territory ministers for education will identify projects for funding in their jurisdiction.
Identification of projects to be funded will depend on, among other things:
- the number of eligible applications received
- the amount of available funding in each jurisdiction
- characteristics of school disadvantage and
- the relative demonstrated need for funding for the proposed priority project.
States and territories will be the decision-makers on identifying successful projects however the Commonwealth reserves the right to not endorse a project proposed by a state or territory, and to request an alternative project.
State and territory departments of education will notify schools of the outcome of all project applications. State and territory departments of education will also provide advice to schools regarding commencement of approved projects.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment process.
How do I get the SUF?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
States and territories will make funding decisions using the information from the expression of interest process, local capital investment priorities, and any other information available.
Information to prepare for the SUF application
Obtain quotes to support project costings
- Schools must be able to demonstrate a reasonable basis for the project cost. Schools are encouraged to contact their relevant state or territory education department early and consult with them about costing arrangements.
Applicants must fill out the application form. Once an applicant progresses past Part E on the application form, they will not be able to go back and edit.
A 2,500-character limit exists for the project description section of the application.
Schools may only submit one application per school. In the event a school submits more than one application, only the most recent application submitted will be considered for assessment.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the SUF
Applicants should use the online application form (available on the Department of Education website).
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
SUF resources
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