FAQS - General

• How was funding paid to schools?
  
• How did schools lodge an application?
  
• Did local governments assist in fast-tracking applications?
  
• Will the community have access to new facilities provided for by the Building the Education Revolution program?
  
• Were new schools which opened in 2009 eligible for funding?
  
• Were schools which were about to close or merge/amalgamate eligible for funding?
  
• How were schools with multiple campuses treated?
  
• Were schools allowed to use BER funding for infrastructure for computers?
  
• What about global area standard calculations?
  
• What is the definition of a primary school student, for the purposes of the BER?
  
• Project progress reporting
  
• Recognition and publicity requirements
  
• Plaque and roadside signs requirements for schools receiving funding under BER

How was funding paid to schools?

Funding for the BER is paid through the Commonwealth Treasury to state and territory treasuries. It is then distributed to state and territory education departments for government schools, and relevant Block Grant Authorities for non-government schools. Funding for individual schools is provided as per the arrangements put in place by state and territory education departments and Block Grant Authorities.

How did schools lodge an application?

For each round of the three elements of the BER program, states, territories and Block Grant Authorities called for proposals from schools. They assessed proposals within their jurisdiction and submitted a list of projects to the Commonwealth for approval.

Did local governments assist in fast tracking applications?

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) was represented at the COAG meeting on 5 February 2009 at which the Prime Minister spoke directly of the need for Local Council authorities to expedite planning approvals for projects under the Nation Building and Jobs Plan. The ALGA undertook to convey this advice directly to local councils across Australia. If a school had any concerns or issues with local government processes they were encouraged to raise these with their state or territory or Block Grant Authority Coordinator, who would then raise the issue with the National Coordinator.

Will the community have access to new facilities provided for by the Building the Education Revolution program?

Yes they will. It is a requirement that any new facility built be available for the broader community at no or low cost. Schools with facilities funded under BER that are not libraries or multipurpose halls must make either their existing library or multipurpose hall (or a comparable facility within the school) available for community use, unless they have an exemption from the Commonwealth.

Were new schools which opened in 2009 eligible for funding?

In the case of recently constructed government schools if, after appropriate consultation with the school community and principal, it was agreed that there was no need for further buildings or refurbishment in that school, the indicative funding allocation for that school could be reallocated to another government school.

In the case of recently constructed non-government schools, Block Grant Authorities must have consulted with the school community and principal and if it was agreed that there was no need for further buildings or refurbishment, the indicative funding allocation could only be reallocated (where the school is a member of an approved school system under the Schools Assistance Act 2008), to another member or members of that recognised school system. Funding would otherwise have been returned to the Commonwealth.

Were schools which were about to close or merge/amalgamate eligible for funding?

Where two or more schools are planned to amalgamate between 2009 and 2012 and will either occupy a new site or an expansion of one of the existing sites, the indicative funding allocation for the schools may be combined and used for capital works or refurbishment for the new school.

How were schools with multiple campuses treated?

Schools with multiple campuses were treated as a single school for the purpose of funding paid under the BER. For non-government schools, this was defined by whether a school was recognised separately under the Schools Assistance Act 2008 (i.e. with a separate Socioeconomic Status (SES) score and entitlement to General Recurrent Grants). For government schools, the state or territory provided DEEWR with advice about which schools were classified as separate and not merely campuses.

Were schools allowed to use BER funding for infrastructure for computers?

Where ICT items were necessary to make the building operational for the purpose for which it was built, BER funding could be used for ICT fit out. Items which were covered by the National Secondary School Computer Fund Guidelines or the additional funding associated with the deployment of computers under this Fund, were not funded under any element of BER.

What about global area standard calculations?

Projects funded under the BER are exempt from any global area standard calculations.

What is the definition of a primary school student, for the purposes of the BER?

A primary school student is defined as a student enrolled and active in pre-year 1 (Year 1 minus 1) until either Year 6 or Year 7 as per the table below.

Project progress reporting

The Australian Government has reporting requirements in place for the state and territory Education Authorities and Block Grant Authorities to provide updates on project progress including:

• meeting project deadlines
  
• objectives
  
• tracking expenditure and
  
• sustainability aspects of completed projects.

Schools are responsible for providing project information to their state territory Education Authority or Block Grant Authority to enable completion of reporting requirements. Expenditure reporting requirements include actual expenditure and committed contract funds.

Recognition and publicity requirements

To receive funding under BER, there is a requirement to recognise and acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution. Schools receiving funding under either SLC or P21 must hold recognition ceremonies as part of their conditions of funding. Further information about the requirements of recognition and publicity are available here.
Schools are not required to conduct a recognition ceremony as part of NSP. However, a school can elect to hold a ceremony and a certificate can be provided on request. If the school is receiving funding under other element/s of the BER, the NSP funding will be recognised as part of the ceremony for the other element/s. The recognition procedures for BER are detailed in the BER Guidelines. Education authorities have agreed in their funding agreements to follow these procedures.

Plaque and roadside signs requirements for schools receiving funding under BER

• Plaques: Schools will be required to affix a plaque, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, to all completed projects. This includes, but is not limited to, new buildings and substantially refurbished buildings. Where a plaque cannot be attached to a project because of the nature of the project, then a plaque must be placed in an appropriate location in the school, such as the front foyer or administration area.
  
• Roadside signs: Schools will be required to affix a roadside sign, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, in front of the school for projects being funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools.