Build
Delivery of state-funded capital works projects
Corporate
Corporate staff are responsible for the oversight and delivery of state-funded capital works projects valued over $200,000.
Corporate staff are also responsible for approving the proposed scope of works for state-funded school-led projects (those under $200,000).
Under the Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994 (Vic), corporate staff are responsible for adhering to the Ministerial Directions pursuant to this Act.
Principal
Principals are responsible for the delivery of state-funded capital works projects valued up to $200,000, unless otherwise agreed with the VSBA. State funded school‑led projects are to be delivered in accordance with the department’s policies.
Where principals are not responsible for delivery, principals have responsibilities as instructed by corporate staff, for example, membership of the relevant departmental project control group.
Principals of schools that receive state funding for a capital works project must attend (or have attended) the department’s Bricks and Mortar training.
School councils
For state-funded school-led projects (those valued up to $200,000 unless otherwise agreed with VSBA), school councils are responsible for – via the principal – submitting an asset management planning template for the VSBA approval.
School councils are not responsible for the delivery of state-funded capital works projects valued over $200,000.
Refer to the section for school council responsibilities associated with asset management planning for capital works .
Links
- Building Quality Standards Handbook
- Asset Management Planning – School Upgrades
- DEECD iTWOcx (staff login required)
- Bricks and Mortar support and services information for
- Capital Building Projects in Schools
School funded (including locally funded) capital works projects
Corporate
Corporate staff are responsible for prescribing the minimum requirements for school-funded (including locally funded) capital works projects.
Corporate staff are also responsible for approving the proposed scope of works for all school-funded capital works projects (that is, $100,000 and over) including school contributions to existing VSBA capital projects. For projects $200,000 (GST inclusive) or more, the school must have Executive Director (VSBA) approval.
Corporate staff are responsible for coordinating Minister for Education approval of the school-funded capital project proposals, when required.
Corporate staff are responsible for the delivery of the school-funded capital projects with a project value exceeding $500,000 (GST inclusive).
VSBA is responsible for leading all projects involving ramps, regardless of project value.
Principal
Principals must receive approval from their school council before seeking VSBA approval for a school-funded capital project, or for a school-funded contribution to a VSBA-led capital project or grants program.
Principals are responsible for ensuring compliance with the department’s requirements for planning and delivery of school-funded (including locally funded) capital works projects.
Principals are responsible for seeking approval for works or services valued over $100,000 (GST inclusive), including school contributions to existing department projects on site, by submitting an online project proposal approval form and following advice outlined in the School-funded Capital Projects Policy and Guidelines.
Noting if schools are contributing to an active Capital Works Project then they must, for any dollar value seek approval from the VSBA through the School-funded Capital Works process.
Principals are responsible to only obtain tenders or quotations, or commence any associated works, services or contracts valued over $100,000 (GST inclusive) once they have received departmental approval.
For projects up to $500,000 (GST inclusive) it is preferred that principals seek tender prices from pre-qualified building contractors on the Construction Supplier Register (CSR). For projects in this value range deemed to be high-risk, principals may be required by the VSBA to engage a contractor from the CSR.
There are limits on the sources of funds that can be used to fund school-funded projects and school contributions to VSBA-led building projects, including that schools must not fund new capital building projects with equity funding or Student Resource Package (SRP) maintenance, annual contracts, or grounds allowance funding (SRP funding can be used to fund maintenance projects, including maintenance projects that exceed $100,000 (GST inclusive)).
Schools must seek VSBA approval before procuring works involving the construction of ramps, regardless of project value.
When planning a school-funded project, principals should speak to their regional provision and planning manager about building permit requirements.
School councils
Depending on the value of the project, school councils may have the authority to carry out, enter into and/or pay contracts in accordance with the department’s policies, including the Procuring Low-value Construction Works or Services policy.
School councils must follow the School-funded Capital Projects policy and guidelines for works or services valued over $100,000 (GST inclusive) in accordance with the School-funded Capital Projects policy.
School councils must not obtain tenders or quotations, or commence any associated works, services or contracts valued over $100,000 (GST inclusive) until the school has have received departmental approval on the project proposal.
Links
Reviewed 16 May 2024