Apply now for Capital Works Fund to improve Victorian Schools (Australia)

Deadline: 12-Jun-2026

The Capital Works Fund is a Victorian Government grant programme that supports infrastructure upgrades, facility improvements, and student inclusion projects in Victorian government schools. The programme provides funding for priority building works that improve learning environments, enhance accessibility, and address infrastructure needs that cannot be met through existing school resources.

Funding is available through three grant streams, with schools able to apply for up to AUD 600,000 depending on project type and scope. All funded projects must be completed by December 2028.

About the Capital Works Fund

The Capital Works Fund is designed to improve school infrastructure across Victoria by supporting projects that address building conditions, upgrade facilities and grounds, and create more inclusive learning environments for students.

The programme focuses on projects that deliver clear educational benefits while ensuring schools maintain safe, functional, and accessible facilities.

Programme Objectives

The fund aims to:

• Improve school buildings and infrastructure
• Upgrade school facilities and outdoor environments
• Enhance accessibility for students with disabilities and additional needs
• Support inclusive education environments
• Address priority building condition issues
• Improve student learning spaces
• Provide funding for projects beyond a school’s existing resources
• Strengthen long-term school infrastructure

Projects should demonstrate clear benefits to students, staff, and the broader school community.

Funding Streams

The programme offers funding through three categories.

Small Priority Projects

Funding available:

• Up to AUD 150,000

Suitable for:

• Small-scale infrastructure improvements
• Building condition upgrades
• Facility improvement projects
• Priority maintenance-related works

Student Inclusion Projects

Funding available:

• Up to AUD 350,000

Suitable for:

• Accessibility improvements
• Inclusive learning environments
• Infrastructure supporting students with disabilities
• Projects addressing additional student needs

These projects should demonstrate clear improvements to student inclusion and participation.

Larger Priority Projects

Funding available:

• Up to AUD 600,000

Suitable for:

• Major facility improvements
• Significant building upgrades
• Larger infrastructure projects
• School-wide improvement initiatives

Projects must remain within programme guidelines and not require separate state budget approval.

What Funding Can Support

Funding may be used for:

• Building condition upgrades
• School facility improvements
• Grounds improvement projects
• Accessibility enhancements
• Student inclusion infrastructure
• Project delivery costs
• Approved construction works
• Infrastructure improvements that support learning outcomes

The programme focuses on projects that provide long-term benefits to school communities.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to Victorian government schools.

Eligible applicants include:

• Victorian government primary schools
• Victorian government secondary schools
• Victorian government specialist schools
• Multi-campus Victorian government schools

Schools must be registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

Eligibility Requirements

Schools must:

• Be registered with the VRQA
• Submit only one project application per school
• Ensure projects are ready to commence
• Complete projects by December 2028
• Comply with the Building Quality Standards Handbook
• Align with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006
• Demonstrate project need and readiness

For multi-campus schools, one application may be submitted per campus.

Project Requirements

Applications must meet specific programme requirements.

Projects must:

• Represent a single clearly defined project
• Be fully scoped before submission
• Demonstrate educational benefit
• Meet compliance requirements
• Be achievable within the project timeframe
• Align with funding objectives

Schools are encouraged to submit their highest-priority infrastructure project.

Project Bundling Restrictions

The programme does not allow bundled applications.

Applicants cannot:

• Combine multiple unrelated projects
• Submit several project themes in one application
• Package separate infrastructure needs into a single proposal

All proposed works must fit within one defined project scope.

Ineligible Projects

The following projects are not eligible for funding:

• Bundled project applications
• Major capital works requiring state budget approval
• Works on non-government-owned land
• Projects requiring approvals beyond a building permit
• Capacity-expanding infrastructure works
• Emergency maintenance projects
• Make-safe works
• Projects funded through specialist government programmes
• Accessibility adjustments funded elsewhere
• Hearing equipment projects funded through other schemes
• Applications seeking funding for cost overruns

Applicants should review eligibility carefully before submission.

School Contributions

Schools may provide co-contributions under approved conditions.

Important requirements include:

• Co-contributions must receive approval
• Schools must fully contribute approved funds before construction contracts are awarded
• Contributions should be clearly documented in project budgets

The funding model ensures transparency throughout project delivery.

Project Delivery Arrangements

Project delivery is managed through established government processes.

Key arrangements include:

• VSBA manages funding administration
• Contractors are paid directly by VSBA
• Schools must comply with project delivery requirements
• Projects must remain within approved budgets and timelines

These arrangements help ensure effective project oversight and accountability.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed against five weighted criteria.

Impact on Learning Environment or Inclusion – 40%

Assessors consider:

• Educational benefits
• Student outcomes
• Accessibility improvements
• Inclusion outcomes
• Impact on the school community

This is the highest-weighted assessment criterion.

Scope Clarity – 15%

Applications should demonstrate:

• Clear project objectives
• Well-defined project scope
• Realistic deliverables
• Strong project planning

Readiness – 15%

Projects should show:

• Readiness to commence
• Appropriate planning
• Necessary preparations completed
• Feasible implementation timelines

Financial Need – 15%

Schools should explain:

• Why funding is required
• Existing resource limitations
• Financial circumstances
• Project affordability challenges

Commitment to Maintenance – 15%

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Long-term asset management
• Maintenance planning
• Sustainability of project outcomes
• Ongoing care of funded infrastructure

Technical Review Process

Eligible applications undergo additional technical assessment.

Reviews may include:

• Risk assessment
• Compliance review
• Cost analysis
• Project feasibility assessment
• Independent quantity surveying review

These assessments help verify project quality and value for money.

Funding Decision Process

The selection process involves several stages.

Key steps include:

• Eligibility screening
• Assessment against programme criteria
• Technical review and validation
• Recommendations by the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA)
• Final consideration by the Minister for Education

Funding decisions are influenced by:

• Assessment scores
• Funding availability
• Geographic distribution of funding
• Recent funding history
• Strategic programme priorities

The Minister for Education makes the final funding decision.

Successful Projects

Projects selected for funding will:

• Receive formal notification
• Proceed through project delivery requirements
• Be publicly announced by the VSBA
• Be required to complete all works by December 2028

Successful schools must comply with all programme conditions throughout implementation.

Why This Fund Matters

High-quality school infrastructure plays an important role in student learning, safety, accessibility, and wellbeing. Many schools face infrastructure challenges that exceed available resources, making targeted funding essential.

The Capital Works Fund helps:

• Improve learning environments
• Support inclusive education
• Upgrade ageing infrastructure
• Enhance student accessibility
• Improve school facilities and grounds
• Strengthen long-term infrastructure planning
• Create safer and more functional school environments

By investing in school facilities, the programme contributes to better educational outcomes and more inclusive learning experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can apply for the Capital Works Fund?
  All Victorian government schools registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
• How much funding is available?
  Schools may apply for up to AUD 150,000 under Small Priority Projects, up to AUD 350,000 under Student Inclusion Projects, and up to AUD 600,000 under Larger Priority Projects.
• Can a school submit more than one application?
  No. Only one project per school is permitted, although multi-campus schools may submit one application per campus.
• Can multiple projects be combined into one application?
  No. Project bundling is not allowed. Applications must focus on a single defined project.
• What is the most important assessment criterion?
  Impact on the learning environment or student inclusion, which accounts for 40% of the assessment score.
• Are emergency maintenance projects eligible?
  No. Emergency maintenance and make-safe works are not eligible for funding.
• When must funded projects be completed?
  All funded projects must be completed by December 2028.

Conclusion

The Capital Works Fund provides significant support for Victorian government schools seeking to improve infrastructure, enhance student inclusion, and upgrade learning environments. With funding of up to AUD 600,000 available across three streams, the programme helps schools address priority infrastructure needs that cannot be met through existing resources. By focusing on accessibility, building condition improvements, and educational outcomes, the fund contributes to stronger, safer, and more inclusive school environments across Victoria.

For more information, visit State Government of Victoria.