Victorian Government Capital Grants
Applications opening soon

Applications for the Round 2 of the Victorian Government Building Fund for Non-Government Schools, for projects commencing in the 2025 calendar year, are opening very soon.
Schools wishing to apply must submit their application through the Victorian Government SmartyGrants online portal. A link to the portal will be provided here on this website when applications open. Application templates and guidelines are available below so that schools can begin to prepare an application now.
To apply for funding:
- Schools will need to complete the application on SmartyGrants. A sample application is available in the resources section below to assist schools in preparing for the SmartyGrants submission.
- Schools must complete Part B: BGA Excel Application, template and instructions available below.
(The file is protected. If your school has not received the password, please contact Elizabeth Barnes.) - The school’s architect or design consultant must complete Part C: Application Feasibility Report, updated guidelines available below.
- Part B and Part C must be uploaded into the SmartyGrants portal along with the following documents:
a) 2022 Audited Accounts
b) 2023 Final Management Accounts
c) 2024 Fee Schedule
d) Copy of Land Title for the site of the proposed project (if owned) or copy of signed lease agreement (if leasing)
e) School History and Philosophy
f) Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Professional Consultant to oversee the project (template below)
g) Signed Declaration (template below, to be copied on school letterhead)
Schools are encouraged to consult the Program Guidelines (available below) as published by the Victorian School Building Authority before applying, particularly with regard to project categories and available funding, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria as outlined on pages 4 to 7.
For schools that were unable to join the Capital Funding Briefing held in August 2023, a recording of the presentation is available in isConnect. The presentation is in two parts and provides an overview of the application and assessment processes for both the Victorian Government Building Fund and the Australian Government Capital Grants Program.
For information relating to the Australian Government Capital Grants Program, please visit the CGP webpage.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us (contact details provided below).
Victorian School Building Authority
Please note that schools will need the password provided by the VISBGA to access some application forms below. If your school has not received a password, please contact Elizabeth Barnes.
Downloads
Part B VISBGA Excel Application (password required) Part C Application Feasibility Report (Updated Guidelines) 1. Program Guidelines Vic Govt Building Fund for Non-Gov Schools 2. MoU Independent Consultant (attachment) 3. VISBGA Application Declaration (attachment) 4. Instructions for Completing Part B Excel Application 5. SmartyGrants Application Preview 6. Guidelines - Project Elements and Cost Standards (2023)The Victorian Government Building Fund for Non-Government Schools 2023–27 is providing $450 million to help build and upgrade Catholic and Independent schools in Victoria, with approximately $135 million available for eligible Independent schools over the next four years.
To be eligible to apply, a school must be a participant, or prospective participant, in the Victorian Independent Schools Block Grant Authority (VISBGA).
Schools are expected to contribute at least 20% of total project costs, with grants to be allocated across four project categories:
Projects in Category 1 and 2 must have a construction period of 18 months or less.
Projects in Category 3 and 4 must have a construction period of 12 months or less.
Schools may not receive more than one grant over the four rounds of funding for a project in category 1, 2 or 3. Schools may be eligible to receive a separate grant for a Category 4 project that solely addresses cladding and/or asbestos issues as part of a planned removal process, as well as a grant for a project in category 1,2 or 3.
Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Education’s SmartyGrants portal, where they will be assessed by both the VISBGA and the Department against the criteria below:
Schools are encouraged to carefully read the Program Guidelines as published by the Victorian School Building Authority, available below in the Resources section.
Please refer to the Apply for Funding section below to find out how to submit an application.
If you have any queries, please contact the VISBGA office:
- Aisling Allen on (03) 9825 7239
- Lindy McArdle on (03) 9825 7218
- Angela Dynan on (03) 9825 7287
Timelines for each round of the Fund are set out below:
If you have any queries, please contact the VISBGA office:
- Aisling Allen – Manager, Capital Funding, (03) 9825 7239
- Lindy McArdle – Manager, Grants Administration, (03) 9825 7218
- Angela Dynan – General Manager, VISBGA, (03) 9825 7287