Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Capital Grants - Commonwealth

Related Policies:

School Buildings – Capital Works

Purpose:

To ensure that applications for Commonwealth Capital Grants from schools are prioritized by an independent committee before being lodged with the relevant Block Grant Authority, and that only applications with good prospects of receiving capital funding are put forward to the relevant Block Grant Authority.

Policy:

Applications from Archdiocesan schools for Commonwealth Capital Grants for either refurbishment/upgrading projects or for the construction of new buildings are to be submitted to the CEO Capital & Facilities Committee annually for consideration and prioritization before being lodged with the NSW Catholic Block Grant Authority (NSW schools) or the ACT Block Grant Authority (ACT schools).

Definitions:

Capital & Facilities Committee

Committee comprising CEO officers, School and Parish staff which reviews and prioritises Commonwealth Capital Grant applications submitted by Archdiocesan schools.

Block Grant Authority

Authorities established to administer and distribute Commonwealth Capital Grants to non-government schools (in the ACT) and Catholic schools (in NSW) after approval by the Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science & Technology.

Procedures:

1. Submitting Applications

1.1 Information about the process to be followed by Archdiocesan schools is distributed annually together with relevant documentation to be completed. Additionally, the Planning & Facilities Section of the CEO will advise Archdiocesan schools of the need for applications as required. Schools should contact the Planning & Facilities Section for information and advice. All applications for Commonwealth Capital Grants must be directed through the CEO.

2. Notification of Approval

2.1  Commonwealth Capital Grant applications that receive a high priority from the CEO Capital & Facilities Committee are considered by the relevant State or Territory Block Grant Authority each year. A visitation program is usually conducted by each Block Grant Authority and recommendations are forwarded to the Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science & Training following completion of the application round.

2.2 Generally, the Minister will advise schools of their success of their application by December of each year. Successful schools, with the assistance of the CEO, are then able to commence the planning and construction phase for their projects early in the new year.

References:

A Practical Guide To Planning and Development of Capital Programs in Catholic Schools (CEO, November 1999).

School Maintenance and Management Guidelines for Principals (CEO, November 1999).

Forms:

Notice of Intention to Apply For a Commonwealth Capital Grant (CEO)

Last updated on December 2, 2006