LOCAL SCHOOLS WORKING TOGETHER

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM GUIDELINES

This paper is supplied as a general overview only and should be read in conjunction with the Program Guidelines.

Updated 18 December 2008 

The Local Schools Working Together (LSWT) pilot program (the Program) is an important element of the Australian Government’s Education Revolution. The Program will provide $62.5 million over two funding rounds towards the development of approximately 25 shared educational facilities nationwide.  

The aim of the Program is to encourage government, Catholic and independent schools to work together to develop shared educational facilities that will broaden the benefit of government expenditure on capital infrastructure. The Program will also create new opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to such facilities. The theme of the Program is ‘schools in partnership to achieve educational excellence and equity’.

The partnership theme will extend to third parties such as local councils, businesses or early childhood education providers where the project may feature broader community benefit.  

Shared facilities not already provided for through other Australian Government programs are the target of this Program. Projects may include, but are not limited to, infrastructure facilities such as libraries, gymnasiums, performing arts centres and facilities for teaching language, science, or music.  

Successful proposals will feature innovative partnership and governance models that clearly demonstrate a commitment to the development and ongoing management of high quality, shared facilities that support the objectives of the Education Revolution. Program facilities will normally be located within the grounds of existing schools.  

The minimum amount of funding for an individual project under the Program is $1 million and the maximum will normally be $2.5 million. Program funds can support either the development of new projects or the refurbishment of existing facilities. However, no additional funding is available to meet recurrent costs associated with the ongoing operation of a Program facility.  

A National Assessment Panel (NAP) has been established comprising a Departmental officer and three independent members with expertise in schools infrastructure, design and construction. The NAP will identify and recommend to the Minister for Education those projects in each funding round considered suitable and of sufficient priority to move forward to final project development stage. The Minister will approve the final projects for funding.

Applications for Funding Round One closed on 21 October 2008. Announcements regarding successful round one applications are expected to be made early in 2009. The timelines for round two will appear on the Program website as soon as they are available.

An information paper prepared by the Department is available on the Program website. The paper provides Australian and international examples of shared educational facilities and highlights relevant issues surrounding facilities sharing.  

The Department has conducted extensive consultation with stakeholders from each of the state, territory and non-government education authorities. A list of state and territory liaison officers is also available on the Program website. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of their relevant state or territory  liaison officer before proceeding with application planning (Link to State or Territory Liaison Officers). 

Program officers may be contacted by e-mail at localschoolsworkingtogether@deewr.gov.au.