Deadline: 19-Dec-2025

Tasmania’s Built Heritage Grants Scheme supports the conservation, restoration, activation, and community use of heritage places across the state. Round 3 offers two grant pathways—Small Grants (up to $20,000) and Large Grants ($20,000–$200,000)—to protect historic sites, strengthen heritage skills, and promote public engagement. Funding prioritizes projects that preserve significant built fabric and deliver long-term cultural, community, and tourism benefits.

The Tasmanian Government’s Built Heritage Grants Scheme provides financial support to conserve, protect, and activate Tasmania’s built heritage. The program strengthens community appreciation, enhances heritage tourism, and helps ensure historic assets remain part of Tasmania’s cultural identity.

Overview of the Grants Scheme

The scheme is designed to:

• Support conservation and restoration of heritage places

• Enhance public understanding of Tasmania’s built heritage

• Build a skilled heritage workforce

• Encourage productive and tourism-focused use of heritage assets

• Celebrate heritage as part of the Tasmanian brand

Round 3 provides two streams with a combined allocation of $1.3 million.

Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program supports owners of state-registered heritage properties undertaking essential conservation or restoration work.

Key details

• Grant amount: Up to $20,000

• Purpose: Preserve historically significant built fabric

• Co-investment: Encouraged but not mandatory

• Requirements:

  • Property must be on the Tasmanian Heritage Register

  • Applicant must have authority or written owner consent

  • Work must align with eligible conservation activities

Typical projects include structural repairs, restoration of historic elements, and urgent conservation interventions.

Large Grants Program

The Large Grants Program offers $20,000 to $200,000 across four project groups, each supporting a different aspect of heritage development.

Heritage Activation

Supports productive, community, or tourism-oriented use of heritage places.

Heritage Conservation

Funds major conservation projects to protect significant built fabric.

Heritage Skills Development

Supports training, apprenticeships, and initiatives that build professional heritage skills.

Community Activation

Encourages public engagement, education, and community appreciation of heritage.

Project requirements

• Must be completed within 18 months

• Must submit interim and final reports

• Must avoid ineligible expenditure (general maintenance, admin costs, compliance fees, or expenses before signing the grant deed)

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Own or have legal authority to work on a property on the Tasmanian Heritage Register

• Provide full owner consent, including from all owners or owners’ corporations

• Propose work that preserves, repairs, restores, or reconstructs significant built fabric

Eligible applicants may include individuals, private owners, and not-for-profit organisations.

Not eligible

• Local, State, and Commonwealth governments and their entities

• Projects funded previously under Rounds 1 or 2

• Applicants with outstanding acquittals from previous rounds

• Applicants with unresolved disputes with the Tasmanian Heritage Council

• Lessees of government-owned heritage properties unless they hold full maintenance responsibility

Not-for-profit organisations are especially relevant for community-based or publicly accessible heritage projects.

Why It Matters

The scheme helps safeguard Tasmania’s heritage by:

• Preventing the deterioration of historic places

• Supporting specialist skills within the heritage sector

• Encouraging community connection with heritage sites

• Strengthening heritage tourism and local economies

• Preserving Tasmania’s cultural identity for future generations

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit a strong application:

1. Confirm Property Eligibility
   Ensure the property is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and meets all ownership/authority requirements.

2. Select the Appropriate Grant Stream

   • Small Grants: Up to $20,000 for conservation or restoration

   • Large Grants: $20,000–$200,000 for broader heritage projects

3. Prepare Required Documentation

   • Proof of ownership or authority

   • Written consent from all property owners

   • Project plan with scope, budget, timeline, and outcomes

4. Develop a Strong Conservation Rationale
   Clearly explain:

   • The heritage significance

   • The urgency of the work

   • Expected community or cultural benefits

5. Submit the Application Before Deadline
   Incomplete or non-compliant applications are automatically excluded.

6. Prepare for Reporting Requirements
   Successful applicants must deliver progress reports, final acquittals, and comply with all grant deed obligations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for work that counts as general maintenance instead of conservation

• Providing incomplete ownership documentation

• Submitting applications for ineligible properties or previously funded sites

• Including ineligible costs in the budget

• Missing deadlines or failing to meet grant deed conditions

FAQ

1. Can I apply if my property is not on the Tasmanian Heritage Register?
No. Registration is mandatory for both grant streams.

2. Do I need to co-invest?
Co-investment is optional for Small Grants but strengthens applications. It is strongly encouraged for Large Grants.

3. Can local governments apply?
No. Local, State, and Commonwealth government entities are ineligible.

4. What types of work are funded?
Work that preserves or restores significant built fabric—such as structural repairs, restoration, or reconstruction.

5. Can funding be used for general maintenance?
No. Routine maintenance and administrative expenses are not eligible.

6. How long do Large Grant projects run?
Up to 18 months from the date of the grant deed.

7. Can lessees apply?
Yes, but only if the lease requires full maintenance responsibilities.

Conclusion

The Tasmanian Government’s Built Heritage Grants Scheme strengthens the conservation and meaningful use of heritage places across the state. With two funding pathways supporting restoration, activation, skills development, and community engagement, Round 3 offers significant opportunities for individuals and organisations committed to preserving Tasmania’s built heritage. This program ensures that historic places continue to enrich communities and contribute to Tasmania’s cultural and tourism landscape for generations to come.

For more information, visit Australian Government.