Recommendations on completing each section of the application form
Applicants are provided with the following advice under each section of the Application Form. This advice is only to support applicants in the development of a comprehensive submission, and these must not be construed or considered in any way as advice that will ensure the success of any applicant’s submission.
Funding is approved on a contestable basis by the Commonwealth Government based on (1) National and State identified VET and skills requirements (2) identified skill demands through National and State strategic advisory bodies and institutions, and finally (3) the fundamental quality of an application, demonstrating appropriate training and skills in demand, research and planning that identifies and demonstrates, for example:
- a real need for the funding
- the ability of the organisation to project-manage the project
- provide VET training outcomes that will enhance the growth of identified skills in the sector/community
- leads to employment outcomes
- up-skilling outcomes
- promotes sustainability within communities
- enhances overall economic growth of the State
Section 1 - Applicant Information
Applicants are required to submit specific governance documentation with the Application Form, namely Certificate of Incorporation and/or Articles of Incorporation/Association. Where an organisation operates under a 'Constitution', you are required to provide a copy of your constitution and attach this documentation to your application submission as Attachment 1 (DOC 22 KB).
Section 2 - Organisation Details
Applicants are required to provide a brief summary of previous funding received by your organisation from the National Training Infrastructure Program,
OR
if you have not been in receipt of funding previously, please provide a statement indicating that you have not received any funding.
Please attach either as Attachment 2 (DOC 20 KB).
If any Director of the organisation seeking funding has occupied key positions in an organisation that has been liquidated or failed to comply with Government funding agreements, please attach details at Attachment 3 (DOC 20 KB).
Section 3 - Project Details
- You are required to provide the specific project name
- The 'total project cost' means funding you are applying for from the Commonwealth Government and all other Industry/Community contributions that will make up the total value of the project
- The funding amount sought is the specific funding amount being sought from the Commonwealth Government
Section 3.1 - Project Description
Applicants are required to provide the specific nature of the proposal, such as a new build, refurbishment or the purchase of a mobile unit. In your description you should provide details of how you will use the funding on the key components of the project, such as classroom(s) and learning materials, IT requirements, an extension to an existing building, simulation equipment etc. You are not required to provide the specific number of each proposed item.
Note: If the proposal requires funding to purchase land and/or a building, you will be required to sign a 'Caveat' with the Minister, if your application for funding is successful.
You are required to attach professional drawings/floor plans with your application as Attachment 4 (DOC 20 KB).
Section 3.2 - Project Background/Context
Applicants are required to provide concise responses to the following questions:
- the identified and researched need for the project
- how the project will facilitate improved VET delivery
- address identified skills needs
- justify the needs of your proposalwhy existing training facilities in the marketplace are not meeting the specific skills in demand.
Section 3.3 - Project Support
In this sub-section, applicants are required to provide supporting evidence with the application form to justify the need for the proposal, in accordance with the program guideline requirements.
Supporting evidence may come through identified national sources such as Commonwealth Strategies to address training and skills shortages, national/state policy documentation, reports and identified skills in demand, state documentation such as the State’s Strategic Plan and Skills for the Future Strategy, the Training and Skills Commission’s Five Year Plan, Industry Advisory Bodies and Industry/Community letters of support.
Applicants must demonstrate Industry/Community consultation through formal correspondence and/or minutes of meetings to address the issues in the proposal. This documentation must also show organisational/community planning initiatives leading to the identified need for the proposed funding in a planned and structured decision making process i.e. board/community meetings, identified through a business planning process and identified through risk assessment processes.
All supporting documentation and evidence supporting the skills need for your proposal should be attached as Attachment 5 (DOC 20 KB).
Section 4 - Training Courses and Student Numbers
Applicants are required to provide Training Plan activities on the template provided in the Application Form in Section 4, and attach this documentation as Attachment 6 (DOC 58 KB) to your submission. Applicants should clearly show the additional training that will be undertaken if successful in the funding application.
Section 4.1 - Training Arrangements
If applicants are a Registered Training Organisation, provide details of your current training delivery and NTIS number as Attachment 7 (DOC 20 KB). Please ensure that the evaluation panel can easily differentiate between your current training delivery and that proposed in your funding application. In other words, what additional training will you provide if the application is successful?
If you are NOT a Registered Training Organisation, you must confirm that you have an agreed and signed Memorandum of Understanding with a Registered Training Provider. If an MOU cannot be agreed to in advance of the application, a letter of support from a Registered Training Organisation, at a minimum, is required, indicating that this Registered Training Organisation has the ability to deliver the expected outcomes, and is registered to deliver the specific training plan proposed in your application. Please attach either a signed MOU or a letter of support as Attachment 8 (DOC 21 KB).
Successful applicants who require an MOU will be required to have an agreed and signed MOU prior to the execution of the State Funding Deed.
Section 4.2 - Use of Training Facilities
An expected outcome is to encourage a broader industry and community involvement and participation in the project. In response to a proposal for a new facility, extension or a mobile unit etc, applicants must ensure that the proposal addresses how the application will support and sustain continued industry/community development in the area.
Section 5 - Project Budget and Funding
Applicants are advised to ensure that the following requirements are addressed in responding to this Section.
- Provide a breakdown of how all contributions (Commonwealth Government and Industry/Community) are to be specifically expended, (capital costs only) as prescribed in the capital budget template (Section 5.1) and attach as Attachment 9 (DOC 39 KB)
- Project capital costs should be categorised into major capital cost items, such as, build, fit-out, refurbishment, etc. Specific or individual itemisation is not required
- A 10% contingency cost should be factored into applications for escalation costs. Note: Where applicants are successful in applying for funding, and a budget contingency base of 10% has not been included, applicants will not be provided with additional Commonwealth Government funding should costs escalate whilst awaiting funding approval. Also, where it has been established that applicants will not be in a position to complete the project prior to the expected project completion date, applicants will be advised that the project may not commence
- Industry Skill Centre proposals must include a 50% industry contribution. The terms of this contribution must be agreed by DFEEST
- If land and/or buildings are used as the industry contribution, successful applicants will be required to sign a 'Caveat' with the Minister
- VET Infrastructure for Indigenous People (VIIP) applicants are not required to make a contribution as part of the application process, but may do so
- Applicants should be aware that all costs associated with setting up and establishing the proposal cannot be included as a cost in the application process
- VET Infrastructure for Indigenous People applicants only can include up to $5,000 in support of their application development.
Section 6 - Business Plan
Applicants are required to present a three year operational Business Plan for the project proposal. This requirement is a fundamental element of the application process, and should represent extensive planning.
The Business Plan should reflect organisation/community business continuity objectives, including a specific section dealing with continuity of the organisation, and a risk assessment process, to ensure that the expected outcomes of the project proposal can be achieved. The Business Plan should be attached as Attachment 10 (DOC 27 KB).
The financial aspects of the plan should also consider all sources of revenue, replacement of equipment and depreciation of assets. Applicants should also ensure that other sources of revenue/contributions are available for a period of up to 12 months, due to the protracted application process of the program.