Stage 2 Initial Application
A formal application providing project details, enrolments, cost at standard costs, Educational Need and a forecast of Financial Need.
Closing date is Thursday 29 January 2026
Please read the instructions below before completing and submitting your application.
There are three parts to this year’s application for completion.
- CGP Application 2027 – Download the document 2027 CGP Application STAGE 2 – school name. Save this document with the school name in the title and then complete the Initial Application stage. Please note this is a MACRO ENABLED workbook and is best updated using Microsoft Office 365/Microsoft Windows.
- Site Diagram
- Sketch Plans
Please ensure that each of these steps listed here are completed so that your application is accepted.
Information about the grants program
“Capital Grants Program (CGP) Guidelines“. This publication is issued to Schools by the Department of Education. It outlines the Capital Grants Program’s scope, objectives and priorities.
Schools are welcome to contact the BGA to discuss any proposed application prior to submission.
Please be aware that the BGA will only consider ONE PROJECT to be recommended to the Government for your school. Please ensure that your application is your next PRIORITY in the schools Master Plan.
The project applied for cannot commence until AFTER approval is received from the Commonwealth Government. It MUST commence in 2027.
For the 2027 Funding Round a Master Plan is mandatory.
Complete Stages 2 (Blue Tabs in Workbook)
Using the workbook complete the BLUE tabs and save to your computer. These worksheets cover enrolments, existing facilities, the proposed project, Capex budget and Financial Forecast. These worksheets perform many of the calculations automatically. To save re-entering the same data at future stages, you will need to UPDATE sections of this workbook as part of those stages.
Site Diagram
Please PDF a diagram of the School site showing all existing and proposed facilities preferably A3 size. Please label rooms and show square metre areas.
Ideally this should be a copy of the master plan for the School’s facilities. Upload below at the completion of all documentation.
Please shade and code the diagram to show current, projected and other planned future facilities.
Sketch Plans
Please PDF sketch plans that give a good idea of the design of the project. Where possible include plans and external perspectives with dimensions. Upload below at the completion of all documentation.
Submit Application
On completion of the Stage 2 Initial Application, UPLOAD the three documents below.
- CGP Application with Stage 2 data entered – must be uploaded in EXCEL format only.
- Site Diagram – must be in PDF, A3 size preferably
- Sketch Plans – must be in PDF
- QS or Quotation if obtained – not mandatory at Stage 2 but is at Stage 3.
After submission you will receive an email confirming your application.
Retrospective assistance
Applications for retrospective assistance cannot be considered. An application is considered to be retrospective if a School enters a commitment (eg signs a contract) prior to receiving formal Ministerial approval of a grant. This occurs in late November/early December prior to the Grant Year.
Late Applications
Late applications cannot be accepted
Engaging an architect
While not mandatory, using expert advice for design and costing at this early stage is strongly encouraged. Preliminary design should consider all options and requirements. Inaccurate costing can lead to later financial problems. In particular,
- a description of the project and realistic costings are required at the initial application stage, and
- an A3 size site plan with all areas of facilities marked is also required. The current, proposed and projected facilities must be shade coded on the sketch.
Cost Guidelines
The worksheet provides an explanation regarding the BGA Standard Costs for functional areas. If estimates of costs for your project exceed BGA standard costs, please add an explanation.
This relates the EXISTING FACILITIES tab and PROPOSED PROJECT STD COST and PROPOSED PROJECT CE QS COST. Sizes are measured as net floor areas, ie areas are measured from the inside face of the interior walls. Figures should be expressed in whole square metres. In the case of extensions, “size chosen” is the area of the additional space. For conversions and refurbishments, “size chosen” is the total area of the facility being converted or refurbished.
Project Costing
In the PROPOSED PROJECT STD COST worksheet, you must use the Standard Costs for a project so that an across-the-board comparison can be made on all applications. There are two sections dependent on the type of work. CONSTRUCTION cost section is at the top of worksheet and REFURBISHMENT cost section directly under the Construction section. The third section is for ESTIMATED ASSOCIATED COSTS FRO PROPOSED PROJECT. This section contains lists where you can select the type of associated cost for the proposed project. Ideally these should be extracted from a QS or Cost Estimate.
Where a QS or quotation has been obtained a copy of this documentation must be submitted with the application. These figures should be submitted on the PROPOSED PROJECT CE QS COST worksheet. Whilst it is not mandatory at Stage 2 to have a QS/Quotation it would be helpful, however at Stage 3 it is mandatory.
Area Guideline
The BGA has established area guideline for Schools. A School’s area per student is measured before and after a proposed project is constructed to allow for enrolment increases. This is used only as a guide by the BGA when considering a project.
UPLOAD relevant documents below.
Please ensure you have all documents completed and ready to upload.
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