Deadline: 28-Jun-24
The Capital Works Fund is offering grants to support priority building projects to improve the learning environment, condition or character of Victorian schools.
Funding is also available for projects that promote inclusion, especially for students with disabilities or additional needs. This program replaces the Minor Capital Works Fund and Inclusive Schools Fund, which supported over 920 school projects.
Program Principles
- For the 2024-25 CWF, they will be prioritising projects that clearly:
- address priority building conditions
- improve the learning environment, condition or character of the school
- cannot be fully funded from within existing school funds
- support schools that have a demonstrated commitment to facility maintenance
- support Victorian construction jobs as well as suppliers and other industry sectors.
- In terms of student inclusion, the CWF will also consider proposals that:
- increase participation and improve learning outcomes for students with disabilities or additional needs
- create innovative environments based on inclusive best practice and universal design in facility planning and design for students with additional needs.
- Funding is not intended to:
- replace routine, scheduled, and preventative maintenance (schools are expected to undertake this with Student Resource Package (SRP) funding)
- replace significant capital works projects that require state budget funding
- replace other key funding programs, such as:
- emergency maintenance or issues relating to health and safety, which should be addressed through the Emergency Maintenance Program
- modifications to make a facility compliant to the relevant disability legislation and standards, which can be made through the Accessible Buildings Program.
- Schools that have not previously received funding under the Minor Capital Works Fund (MCWF) or the Inclusive Schools Fund (ISF) may be prioritised for consideration.
Funding Information
- The CWF will provide infrastructure opportunities through three funding streams:
- Stream 1 – small priority or condition-related projects (up to $50,000)
- Stream 2 – larger priority or condition-related projects (up to $500,000)
- Stream 3 – student inclusion projects (up to $300,000)
- They will prioritise condition-related projects (e.g. toilet and roof upgrades), as well as projects that promote inclusion.
- They will determine who manages the project – whether it be school-led or VSBA-led.
- If an application to Stream 1 is costed above $50,000, they will move it to Stream 2 for assessment.
- Schools must provide a clear project description with detailed specifications and designs/plans.
- They will arrange for all projects to be professionally costed.
- Schools can co-contribute any amount up to maximum project costs. Any co-contributions must be approved by the VSBA.
- By exception, a project costed above $500,000 under Stream 2 or $300,000 under Stream 3 may be approved for funding in cases where the VSBA deems it a significant priority.
- All funded projects to be completed by the end of May 2026.
What can be funded?
- The CWF aims to support works that improve the learning environment, condition and/or character of schools, or promote inclusion.
- Eligible project examples include:
- toilet upgrades for students or staff
- roof upgrades for learning or administration spaces
- Issues identified by the Rolling Facilities Evaluation and found in the Priority 3 to 5 categories (including asphalting, gutters and drains)
- relocatable building upgrades or replacement
- classroom upgrades, including flooring
- general landscaping
- playgrounds
- football/soccer goals
- Projects that address student inclusion should incorporate the 7 Principles of Universal Design:
- Equitable use
- Flexibility in use
- Simple and intuitive design
- Perceptible information
- Tolerance for error
- Low physical effort
- Size and space for approach and use.
Eligible Projects
- Projects are eligible if:
- they pertain to a government school registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
- they are compliant with the Building Quality Standards Handbook
- the proposed use is consistent with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006
- they are ready to start and able to be completed by the end of May 2026.
- Only one project per school can be funded, although schools with multiple campuses can apply for a separate project for each campus.
Ineligible Projects
- Projects are ineligible if:
- school co-contributions have not been approved by the VSBA
- more than one application per school is lodged (although schools with multiple campuses can apply for a separate project for each campus)
- the application bundles projects (for example, a playground upgrade and a new toilet)
- the proposal involves significant capital works subject to the State Budget process
- the proposal involves land not administered by the Minister for Education (e.g. council/private land)
- further approvals (other than a building permit) are required (e.g. Heritage Victoria permits, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, Cultural Heritage)
Eligibility Criteria
- Your application must be able to demonstrate that:
- the applicant organisation is a government school registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
- If your application is unable to demonstrate compliance against all eligibility criteria, it may be ruled ineligible.
- They will contact all applicants on the outcome of their applications. Successful projects will be published on the Victorian School Building Authority website.
- Submission of an application does not necessarily mean your school will receive funding.
For more information, visit Victorian Government.