Am I eligible to apply?

You are eligible to apply if you are:

• an Australian legal entity able to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Department (for example, a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or an incorporated association under State or Territory law); and / or
• a State or Territory government department, agency or authority; and/or
• a local council.

You must also hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN).

To confirm if you are an Australian legal entity, refer to the glossary included on the Australian Government's Australian Business Register website and refer to "Entity/entity type".

• Australian Business Register glossary 

I don't have an ABN, how do I get one?

To determine if you are eligible for an ABN, go to the Australian Business Register website or contact the ABR.

• Australian Business Register website 
• Contact the ABR 

I have an ABN and have checked its details through www.abr.business.gov.au but there are errors. What should I do?

You can update your ABN details on the Australian Taxation Office website.

• Change your registration details 

Who can't apply?

You are not eligible to apply if you:

• have an overdue final report and/or acquittal for a previous Commonwealth government grant. For example: Jobs Fund (Heritage Projects), National Historic Sites, Commemorating Eminent Australians, National Heritage Investment Initiative, Indigenous Heritage Program, Community Action Grant and/or ad hoc Australian Government heritage related grant;
• have previously received grant funding for the same activities; or
• are an Australian Government department, agency or authority.

If my proposed project does not fit the Your Community Heritage Program, where else can I find out about other possible funding opportunities?

A comprehensive database of all government (Commonwealth, State/Territory, Local) grants available can be found on the GrantsLINK website. This website is updated regularly as new funding opportunities become available.

You may also wish to contact your State/Territory heritage agency for possible funding opportunities.

• GrantsLINK 

Where else can I find out about other Australian Government disaster relief assistance?

• Australian Government Disaster Assistance 

• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs 

• Attorney-General's Department 

Does the attainment of an Order of Australia award satisfy one of the eminency criteria under the Commemorating Eminent Australians sub-program?

Yes, the attainment of one of the following Order of Australia awards (General Division only) meets the particular eminency criteria of “the individual received a national or international award” under the Commemorating Eminent Australians sub-program.

Order of Australia Awards (General Division) include:

• Companion of the Order (AC)
• Officer of the Order (AO)
• Member of the Order (AM)
• Medal of the Order (OAM)

Is the recognition of military or war-related graves or memorials eligible for funding under the Commemorating Eminent Australians sub-program?

No, recognition of military or war-related graves or memorials is ineligible for funding under the Commemorating Eminent Australians sub-program.

Funding for military or war-related graves or memorials can be sought through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Department of Veterans' Affairs - Commemorations 

When do applications for funding open?

Applications to the 2011-2012 Your Community Heritage Program have now closed. No further applications will be accepted.

Can I have an extension of time to complete and submit my application?

No extensions of time will be given for the submission of applications.

Will any public information sessions be held about the Your Community Heritage Program?

No. All information relating to the Your Community Heritage Program is contained within the Program guidelines as well as these FAQs.

• Your Community Heritage Program guidelines

If you have any further questions, please contact the Department. (see Contacting the Department)

When can I start my project?

The project commencement date is the date that the Funding Agreement signed by a grant recipient is countersigned by the Departmental delegate (that is, the Funding Agreement is ‘executed'). A copy of the executed Funding Agreement will be returned to you for your records. It is recommended that you do not start your project before this date.

How will payments for my project be made?

In accordance with Australian Government grant guidelines, payments will be made upon meeting agreed project milestones as detailed within the executed Funding Agreement. Payments will be made electronically to your nominated bank account following submission of a correctly rendered tax invoice.

How long do I have to complete the project?

You are required to complete your project in the timeline agreed to in the executed Funding Agreement.

Sub-program	Project completion
Protecting National Historic Sites	All projects must be completed by no later than 20 December 2013.
Recovering from Natural Disasters	All projects must be completed by no later than 20 December 2013.
Commemorating Eminent Australians	All projects must be completed by no later than 20 December 2013.
Sharing Community Heritage Stories	All projects must be completed by no later than 20 December 2013.
Celebrating Community Heritage	All projects must be completed by no later than 20 December 2013.

When will applications for funding for next year open?

The timing of the next round of funding through the Your Community Heritage Program has not been announced, however it is likely that the next round will open prior to July 2012. Please check the Department's Your Community Heritage website for details of 2012-13 funding opportunities when they become available.

How do I apply for funding?

To apply for funding you must complete a 2011-2012 Your Community Heritage Program application form.

The preferred method for the submission of your application is through the on-line application form. You will receive an electronically generated receipt once your application has been successfully submitted.

NEW If you are unable to access PDF documents, you may need to download a later version PDF reader. See List of PDF readers. 

How do I access a hardcopy of the application form?

You can download a copy of the application form to then be completed and submitted, or if necessary, contact the Department to be sent a hardcopy of the form.

If you are submitting a hardcopy:

• only one copy is required
• do not bind or staple your application
• your application must be postmarked no later than Tuesday 20 December 2011. We will acknowledge receipt of your application as soon as possible after the closing date.

I am having problems using the on-line application form, what do I do?

If you are having problems with the online application form, or are unable to download the electronic version of the application form, please contact the Department. (see Contacting the Department)

I am having difficulties attaching required documentation to my on-line application, what do I do?

If you are having difficulties attaching required documentation to your on-line application, please contact the Department. (see Contacting the Department)

Where do I send my hardcopy application or attachments to my on-line application to?

If you are submitting a hardcopy application or hardcopy attachments to your on-line application, please submit by email to: heritagegrants@environment.gov.au or by post to:

Your Community Heritage Program
Heritage Grants Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Can the Department's staff complete the application form for me?

No. Departmental staff can clarify any issues you have with the application form. They cannot complete your application form for you.

I have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on my computer, but when downloading the either the guidelines and/or the application form, I get an error message saying to download the latest version of Adobe Reader. What should I do? NEW

Try saving the particular PDF document to your computer. Then access this saved version of the PDF file from your computer, complete and then submit when finalised after agreeing to the declaration and pressing the 'Submit' button.

Can I submit more than one application?

To streamline the application process, the application form (both electronic and hardcopy version) allows you to submit several applications at a time (that is, up to one application under each sub-program). In doing so, applicants will be required to rank their projects in order of priority/preference.

If you wish to apply more than once to a particular sub-program, you will need to fill in another on-line application form. You will be given an option at the time you submit the first application to save common data for loading into a new form so you do not have to re-enter basic details if submitting a second application form. When starting a new application, you will have the option to upload the details entered previously (click the ‘Upload PDF' button in a new form and select the saved PDF file).

Each project must meet the specific eligibility requirements for the sub-program to which you are applying, and should be able to stand alone (that is, each project should be able to be completed in isolation of another project). The capacity of the applicant to deliver projects within the required time frame will be taken into consideration during the selection process. 

Do I need to provide supporting information?

Yes. Where necessary or requested in the application form you should provide any appropriate supporting documentation with your application.

How much detail should I put in the budget and project plan?

You must carefully consider all aspects of your project and ensure all relevant costs are included in your project budget. Items or activities that are not included in your budget will not be funded. Additional funds are not available to meet costs which may have increased after the application was submitted.

The project plan should clearly specify each individual activity including the timing and delivery of each component of the project.

Do I need to provide quotes?

When applicants seek funding to engage consultants or contractors with relevant knowledge and / or specialist expertise that is required to complete the project, and the estimated cost of such work is more than $10,000 (GST exclusive), three written quotes must be obtained, with copies attached to the application. A detailed description of the activities to be undertaken will be required. In all cases, contact details and qualifications of consultants / contractors must be provided. If it is not possible to obtain three quotes, please contact the Department for further advice. (see Contacting the Department).

Do I need to provide a co-contribution (cash or in-kind) to my project?

Please refer to each specific sub-program within the Guidelines for further details on whether a co-contribution is mandatory and the amount required.

Your co-contribution (i.e. the 'Applicant contribution') to the total project costs must come from you or your organisation and must not include any amount that has been provided to you the applicant from any Commonwealth, State/Territory, or local government. Your Community Heritage will only match funds against 'Applicant contribution'.

'Other contributions' will be taken into consideration as part of the assessment process and may include funding from sources other than you the applicant.

Sub-program	Co-contribution details
Protecting National Historic Sites	You must include evidence of 50% or more in co-contributions (cash / in-kind) towards the total cost of your project.
Recovering from Natural Disasters	Co-contributions are not required for this sub-program although the Department would encourage all applicants to provide co-contributions where possible to demonstrate a commitment to the project.
Commemorating Eminent Australians	Co-contributions are not required for this sub-program although the Department would encourage all applicants to provide co-contributions where possible to demonstrate a commitment to the project.
Sharing Community Heritage Stories	You must include evidence of 25% or more in co-contributions (cash / in-kind) towards the total cost of your project.
Celebrating Community Heritage	You must include evidence of 25% or more in co-contributions (cash / in-kind) towards the total cost of your project.

When do I need to obtain any relevant approvals/permits?

If you have not already obtained any relevant approvals/permits prior to submitting your application for funding, you should allow sufficient time within your project plan to do so.

Please be aware that federal environment legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, requires you to refer an action to the Australian Government Environment Minister if it is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance, which includes certain heritage matters. Further information on the EPBC Act and matters of national environmental significance can be found at www.environment.gov.au/epbc.

Projects that might have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance will not receive funding if approval under the EPBC Act is not granted. Please take approval times into consideration when planning your project.

Can I use grant funds to cover the cost of obtaining any relevant approvals/permits?

No. Commonwealth grant funds cannot be used to cover the cost of obtaining any relevant approvals/permits. This must be covered as part of your organisations co-contribution to the project.

If necessary, can I use grant funds to cover any defects and liability period?

No. Commonwealth grant funds cannot be used to cover any defects and liability period. This must be covered as part of your organisations co-contribution to the project.

Is funding through the Your Community Heritage Program taxable?

Grants are subject to normal taxation treatment and no special arrangements will apply. Applicants should seek independent advice on the taxation implications of receiving a grant. Within the project budget, all costs must include GST. Payment of GST on the grant will be dependent on your organisation's GST status.

The Department relies upon GSTR2006/11 in relation to payments made between government related entities that are specifically covered by an appropriation under an Australian law.

What is meant by the question “If applicable, describe the degree to which your project is innovative” under the heading ‘Selection Considerations' within each sub-program on the application form?

The Department encourages applicants to demonstrate innovative ideas/concepts/methodologies, or international approaches in the delivery of projects (e.g. by utilising new or emerging technologies or using best practices).

What is meant by 'nationally significant'?

For the purposes of the Your Community Heritage Program, a place is considered to be nationally significant if the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of one or more of the following:

• the place's importance in the course or pattern of Australia's history;
• its rarity;
• its potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia's history;
• it demonstrates the principal characteristics of a class of place;
• its aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group;
• its importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period;
• its strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons; or
• its special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Australia's history.

If your place or structure is included on another national, state/territory register, but is not included on the National Heritage List, you will be asked to explain how you believe it is nationally-significant for its historic values within your application.

What is the Burra Charter?

The Burra Charter and its accompanying guidelines are considered the best practice standard for cultural heritage management in Australia.

• The Burra Charter 

What sort of activities can I undertake?

Please refer to each specific sub-program within the Guidelines for details on what project activities are eligible or ineligible.

Does my Sharing Community Heritage Stories or Celebrating Community Heritage project need to be on a particular theme?

Whilst there are no specific ‘themes' that need to be addressed in either of these sub-programs, there are specific eligibility criteria that need to be met for these sub-programs. Parts 7 and 8 of the Program Guidelines provide further details.

Can I get funding for projects already underway?

No. The Department will not fund activities retrospectively. Applications to fund projects already completed or underway are ineligible as costs cannot be reimbursed retrospectively. If you apply for funding do not begin projects dependent on Your Community Heritage Program funding until you have been notified that you have been successful and the Funding Agreement has been executed by the Department.

Are administrative costs and overheads eligible for funding?

In certain circumstances, the Your Community Heritage Program will provide up to 15% of the total requested project funding for administrative costs and overheads.

Administrative costs and overheads might include, but are not limited to, such things as project coordination, office accommodation, office equipment hire, phone / internet costs, electricity costs, printing / photocopying, insurance costs, and costs associated with legally required documents such as cultural heritage site searches.

Refer to Part 11 of the Program Guidelines for further details.

Are food and accommodation costs eligible for funding?

Food and accommodation expenses, unless clearly demonstrated to be essential to achieving specific project outcomes, as detailed in the project proposal or outline, are ineligible for funding.

Under no circumstances will the purchase of alcohol be funded.

Can I purchase or hire/lease assets using grant funding?

The purchase or hire of assets, including computers, land, buildings or vehicles, is ineligible for funding unless it is clearly demonstrated that this is essential to completing specific project elements detailed in the project plan.

Funding to lease equipment may be considered where it is essential to the completion of on-ground works or to achieve specific project activities.

Refer to Part 11 of the Program Guidelines for further details.

Can I apply for funding to cover salaries and labour expenses?

Funding for salaries or labour expenses, unless proven to be directly attributable to the discrete project with measurable outputs in a project plan, is ineligible. Salaried positions related to the normal ongoing operations of an organisation will not be funded.

Further information relating to volunteers, consultants and contractors, can be found in Part 11 of the Program Guidelines.

Can I apply for funding to cover travel expenses?

Domestic travel is not eligible for funding, unless it is clearly demonstrated to be essential to the success of the project, and it is demonstrated that this travel would contribute to specific project outputs included in the project plan.

International travel is not eligible for funding.

Can proposals include costs incurred from the application process?

No. The Department will not fund costs incurred from the application process.

Can I apply for funding for a maritime (e.g. ship wrecks or general maritime heritage) based project?

Maritime based projects, whether they be land or water-based, upon meeting all relevant eligibility criteria, may be eligible for funding through the Your Community Heritage Program.

Can I apply for funding to preserve or provide access to documentary heritage collections?

If your project does not involve nationally significant collections, or is not considered eligible under the National Library of Australia's Community Heritage Grants program, it may be eligible for funding through the Sharing Community Heritage Stories sub-program.

The National Library of Australia administers the Community Heritage Grants program which provides funding to assist with the preservation of locally owned, but nationally significant collections of materials that are publicly accessible including artefacts, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and audio visual material. The types of projects supported include Significance Assessments of collections; Preservation Needs Assessments of collections; conservation activities and collection management; and training workshops.

Further information about this program can be found at www.nla.gov.au/awards-and-grants/chg .

Can I apply for funding for a story or a celebration of a natural heritage place? NEW

Yes. Projects which tell or celebrate a history or story of relevance to a local community will be considered. Stories and celebrations can be about the social, history or cultural relevance of a natural area such as a local park, botanic garden, national or marine park or other natural resource.

Am I able to apply for funding through the Bringing Heritage Online subprogram? NEW

No, this particular sub-program is not open to the public. Details of this subprogram are still being finalised and related information may be published on the Department's website when available.

How will I be notified that my application has been received?

If you apply through the preferred online method, you will receive automatic notification confirming receipt of your application.

If you submit your application by hardcopy or email, you will be notified in writing or by email as soon as possible that your application has been received.

I have submitted an application - now what happens?

Your project will be considered in an assessment process undertaken by the Department with the advice and assistance of independent heritage experts, such as members of the Australian Heritage Council (where appropriate). Once applications have been assessed, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities will consider the list of recommended projects. The Minister will make the final decision on which applications are approved for funding and may publicly announce the successful projects. The details of successful applications will also be published on the Department's website.

Can I make changes to my application once it is submitted?

No changes are permitted once applications have been submitted. Read your application carefully before submitting to ensure that you have completed every relevant section, attached all necessary documentation or evidence, and that all the information is true and correct.

Will the Department consider partial funding of projects?

The Department reserves the right, at its complete discretion, to partially fund projects under the Your Community Heritage program.

What are the reporting requirements for my project?

The Department places a high priority on reporting on Your Community Heritage projects. You may be required to submit milestone progress reports throughout the delivery of your project along with a final report following your project's completion. You will also need to provide financial acquittal documentation as described within the relevant sections of your executed Funding Agreement.

What are the assessment criteria?

Applications will be assessed for eligibility against the general eligibility criteria and then against the relevant sub-program specific eligibility criteria, and will then undergo a selection process.

All general eligibility criteria must be met in order for the application to be considered eligible and progressed to the next assessment phase for the specific eligibility criteria of the relevant sub-program.

How will my application be assessed?

The Your Community Heritage Program is a competitive funding program. Assessment of applications will be undertaken by the Department with the advice and assistance of independent heritage experts, such as members of the Australian Heritage Council (where appropriate). Applications under each sub-program are subject to a competitive assessment process.

How will multiple applications be assessed?

Multiple applications from one organisation will be assessed just like single applications as detailed above. Where an applicant has submitted multiple applications under the Your Community Heritage Program, the priority or preference of submitted projects, as well as the capacity of the applicant to deliver projects within the required time frame, may be taken into consideration during the selection process.

When will I know the outcome of the selection process?

Following the Minister's decision on which applications are approved for funding, all applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of selection process. The details of successful applications will also be published on the Department's website.

Where can I go for further information?

All information relating to the Your Community Heritage Program is contained within the Program guidelines as well as these FAQs.

• Your Community Heritage Program guidelines

If you have any further questions, please contact the Department.

Emails will be checked daily and your question will either be responded to directly, or your question and a response added to the FAQs as soon as possible.

Email: heritagegrants@environment.gov.au

Phone: (freecall) 1800 653 004

Post:
Your Community Heritage Program
Heritage Grants Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Fax: 02 6274 2095