This guideline documents the methods used for the initial allocation and indexation of Capital Grants Program (CGP) funding of projects, re-allocation of funding where schools have withdrawn from a round after funding has been approved, and full allocation of funding for an under prescribed round….. Click here to learn more

It has been the BGA practice not to allow the recovery of Application Cost’s relating to projects, however rising costs and the requirements put in place by the BGA to obtain up to date QS reports, etc, during the process has put additional financial pressure on schools.

The process for Capital Grant funding takes place over a period of 11-15 months. During this time schools incur costs when preparing formal Applications for Capital Grant Program Grants.

Costs may include, for example:
• fees for architects,
• quantity surveyors (QS),
• consultants (eg soil, engineering, traffic) etc

Schools may recover these application costs by including them as project expenses on projects which are approved by the Commonwealth government. Costs incurred on unsuccessful projects relating to the application process are at the schools expense ……. Click here to learn more

In assessing a Project’s eligibility for a Grant, the Commonwealth requires the BGA to aim for a Minimum Viable Project that meets the objectives of the Capital Grants Program (CGP), is based on sound student enrolment projections for the period closely following the completion of the project and meets the educational needs of the school …. Click here to learn more

When recommending projects to the Commonwealth Government for approval, previous practice has been to include Construction Contingencies, Design Contingencies and Country Loading as part of the Approved Project Cost.
Contingency amounts provided in a QS may not be utilised during the construction of a project and if included as part of the Approved Project Cost it potentially inflates what the actual project cost may be………Click here to learn more

The objectives of the Management Sub-Committee are to provide advice to the BGA Committee of Management (the Committee) in all aspects of control, reporting and financial management and to provide assurance to the Committee that the Authority is meeting its contractual and agreement responsibilities with the Australian Government and other relevant authorities and agencies. 

The objectives of the Management Sub-Committee are to provide advice to the BGA Committee of Management (the Committee) in all aspects of control, reporting and financial management and to provide assurance to the Committee that the Authority is meeting its contractual and agreement responsibilities with the Australian Government and other relevant authorities and agencies………Click here to learn more

The Capital Grants Program Guidelines, Attachment 8 details the expectations regarding recognition of the Australian Government where funding has been made to support a Capital Project. ………Click here to learn more

Under the Education Act 2013 and the CGP Program Guidelines, the Commonwealth Government has a financial interest in any grant over $75,000 for up to 20 years, depending on the size of the grant. This situation applies to Capital Grants, BER grants and TTC/TSC grants……..Click here to learn more

Those involved in the BGA’s governance, management and operations have a duty at all times to act honestly and diligently in the best interests of the BGA and in accordance with the Constitution.

The BGA’s governance is best served by involving people with appropriate skills. This may include people who are actively employed in its schools or their systems, and people providing professional services to those schools or systems, and people who may have had these positions in the past………Click here to learn more

The Commonwealth Government right to repayment is documented in the Capital Grants Program Guidelines with references to the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (The Regulation).  Section 64 of The Regulation specifies the repayment periods and recoverable amounts on the calculated portion of the grant that will become repayable where, at any time during the Designated Use Period, the school ceases to provide primary/secondary education……….Click here to learn more

Contingent Liability Calculation Template – To calculate a project’s Contingent Liability, CLICK HERE to download an Excel Template which will assist you to calculate the amount owing at the end of any given calendar year.  Any calculation made as a result of the disposal of school assets that have received Capital Funding would need to be confirmed by the Commonwealth.

In relation to the Contingent Liability Template please note the following disclaimer: This material is provided to you on the understanding that SAIS BGA is not engaged in rendering professional advice. Before using this material, you should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for your purposes, and you should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to the particular circumstances of your school. SAIS BGA does not accept any legal or other liability for the material provided or any reliance by you on the material in this document. This material is assembled in good faith and is distributed as guidance only. SAIS BGA reserves the right to change or amend any material in this document, and we are under no obligation to inform you of any changes or publish them.

The Finance Group assist the BGA Committee by evaluating the financial need of each school that applies for a Capital Grant in any given round of funding………Click here to learn more

The BGA chooses to pay an annual honorarium to certain members of its Committee and sub committees as a partial offset to the costs incurred by those members in making the valuable contributions they do to the BGA’s governance and operations………Click here to learn more

A school’s Master Plan is a broad framework of anticipated future needs and developments for a defined period, at a point in time. A Master Plan flows from a school’s Education Plan, is fully integrated with the school’s Asset Management Plan, and is a living document………Click here to learn more

The CGP Program Guidelines (updated annually) indicate that “proposed new schools must be able to demonstrate some certainty of successful establishment, operation and governance in relation to Commonwealth, state or territory and local government requirements. New schools may apply for capital funding prior to receiving recurrent funding.”

‘Requirements’ in South Australia means the requirements set by the Education Standards Board………Click here to learn more

To access Commonwealth funding programs relating to Capital Projects, a school must become a member of the SAIS Block Grant Authority (BGA). This requires the school’s Approved Authority to sign a Participation Agreement with the BGA……….Click here to learn more

In general, there are three approved models for the procurement of contracts for projects that have been supported by the Commonwealth Government through the Capital Grants Program (CGP) and other capital programs as announced from time to time………Click here to learn more

Under the Education Act 2013 and the CGP Program Guidelines, the Commonwealth retains a financial interest in any grant over $75,000 for up to 20 years, depending on the size of the grant. This situation applies to Capital Grants, BER grants and TTC/TSC grants.  If a school ceases to operate, the SAIS BGA, on behalf of the Department of Education and Training, seeks to recover a portion of the grant or grants from the school………Click here to learn more

In assessing applications for capital grants, the SAIS BGA Committee is required to be satisfied that schools seeking grants are financially viable.  That is, schools must be likely to remain financially solvent and continue to be eligible, to receive recurrent Commonwealth funding at the site proposed for the facilities for the foreseeable future………Click here to learn more