Master Plan Grant

A well-crafted site master plan is crucial because it guarantees that a school's built assets align with its strategic goals, and are phased correctly and within budget constraints. Additionally, it fosters excellent learning environments and supports specific pedagogy and community values. The master plan is regularly reviewed and updated to stay relevant and responsive to evolving needs and priorities of the school and community.

For a limited time, funding is also available for a Site Potential and Constraints Assessment as a Master Plan Grant.

On this page:

Funding source

The Australian Government Capital Grants Program (CGP) provides funding to eligible independent schools to develop a master plan.

Funding is under the Australian Education Act 2013 and the Capital Grants Program Guidelines set out in the detailed requirements applying to the administration of the Program.

Key contact

For any inquiries or assistance regarding a Master Plan Grant, please contact Gary Adsett, Company Secretary and General Manager.

Gary Adsett

Company Secretary and General Manager

Eligibility

Funding eligibility is based on a school:

  • Being in receipt of Australian Government recurrent funds for the levels of education to which the proposed project relates

  • Having entered into a QIS BGA Participation Agreement

  • Through the application process demonstrate that a master plan will be developed that includes the following elements:

    • Community consultation is undertaken
    • Design principles are established and guide the development of the plan
    • Site potential and constraints are identified
    • Spatial strategies are developed and guide the development of the plan
    • An implementation and staging plan is documented
    • Each stage of development is costed and within the school’s budgetary framework
    • A review and evaluative framework is documented

  • Through the application process demonstrate that the:

    • Project will contribute to funding guideline objectives and address other Australian Government priorities and objectives for schooling
    • School has a strategic need for a master plan to be developed
    • School has adequate insurance cover
    • School owns the land or has a lease for the land and/or buildings that is at least 22 years from the date of the application
    • Any new school/campus will be operating from the site within three (3) years of the funding offer being made

Site potential and constraints assessment

An essential part of a good master plan is a Site Potential and Constraints Assessment and the conceptual design response to it. Although it is anticipated that master plans funded in 2025 and beyond will incorporate an assessment and design response, it is acknowledged that many previously funded master plans may not have included this component. Consequently, QIS BGA is funding a Site Potential and Constraints Assessment that will amongst other things cover:

  • Site infrastructure assessment to plan for phasing site infrastructure to “feed” new or refurbished learning spaces and associated facilities
  • Approval to develop overlays, for example, environmental, landscape, land management and heritage overlays
  • Traffic impact assessments
  • Any matter unique to the site
Eligibility

In addition to the above eligibility requirements, eligibility for the Assessment includes:

  • Through the application process demonstrate that the:

    • Previously QIS BGA funded master plan did not include a Site Potential and Constraints Assessment
    • Project will contribute to funding guideline objectives and address other Australian Government priorities and objectives for schooling
    • School has a strategic need for a master plan to be developed
    • School has adequate insurance cover
    • School owns the land or has a lease for the land and/or buildings that is at least 22 years from the date of the application
    • Any new school/campus will be operating from the site within three (3) years of the funding offer being made

Assessment principles and fundamentals

Master plan

The development of a master plan is achieved through a holistic process generally led by a lead consultant who will likely be supported by several secondary consultants.  While the type of consultant and their level of input will vary depending on the size and complexity of the site, QIS BGA has determined that a good master plan can cost $100,000 or more. 

Consequently, a funding application will include fees from the lead consultant (often an architect) and secondary consultants.  Examples of the types of consultants involved in the development of a master plan include Architects, Engineers (Civil, Electrical, Hydraulic etc.), Traffic Consultants, Environmental Consultants, Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, Town Planners, and Ecologists.

In response to a master plan being a foundational and guiding document for the design and construction of educational facilities, the inclusion of a master plan in the capital application process will be as follows:

Round Year Inclusion of Master Plan
2025 Highly desirable
2026 Highly desirable
2027 Mandatory

Site potential and constraints assessment

Like the development of a master plan, a Site Potential and Constraint Assessment who will likely be led by a primary consultant who will likely be supported by several secondary consultants.  While the type of consultant and their level of input will vary depending on the size and complexity of the site, QIS BGA has determined that an assessment and design response can cost $50,000 or more.  As such, the application will most likely include fees from a range of consultants to substantiate the cost of an assessment.

Funding available

 

Development of a master plan
Need indicator (CTC) Level of funding
CTC of 96 and below 75% of master planning cost, capped at $75,000
CTC 97 to 110 50% of master planning cost, capped at $50,000

 

Development of site potential and constraints assessment
Need indicator (CTC) Level of funding
CTC of 96 and below 75% of assessment and design cost, capped at $37,500
CTC 97 to 110 50% of assessment and design cost, capped at $25,000

Application and assessment timeline

 

MP TIMELINE L 06
Make an application

For new schools or first time applicant schools, to register users for access to the Client Portal, please contact the QIS BGA Office.

Existing Approved Authorities and/or applicant schools can access the Master Plan Grant Application via the GMS.

Please note that funding to undertake a Site Potential and Constraints Assessment will be a Master Plan Grant.  Consequently, the Master Plan Grant Application should be used to apply for this type of funding.

A range of information will be gathered during the application process, some of which may be personal information.  The QIS BGA APP Privacy Policy and Collection Notice will be available via the Master Plan application template within the GMS.

Important information and dates 

For schools planning to prepare a master plan for use in the 2027 capital application round, where inclusion of a master plan becomes mandatory, it is advisable that grant requests be submitted via the March 2026 round. This is to allow adequate time for the completion of the master planning process.

Round Title
Closing Dates
March 2026 20th February 2026
July 2026 19th June 2026
September 2026 21st August 2026

Key documents

There are many documents and resources available to assist applicant schools to complete the application for a Master Plan Grant. Understanding the application process can also benefit the accuracy and quality of information provided by the school through the application process.

Grant administration

  • Recipient School Agreement

    For successful applicants, an Agreement will be provided via the GMS by QIS BGA immediately after the advice of Ministerial approval.

  • Funding claims

    Master Plan Grants will be paid upon receipt of a Claim Form and any other accountability requirements listed in the Recipient School Agreement at 100% project completion (practical completion).

  • Accountability

    Once the claim is made, schools will complete documentation provided by QIS BGA, where the schools External Qualified Accountant will confirm that grant monies were spent only on the Approved Project.

  • Recognition

    For further information on recognition requirements for Austrailan or Queensland Government funding, click here.