External Infrastructure Subsidy Scheme

The External Infrastructure Subsidy Scheme (EIS) applies to accredited independent school sites where an approval to develop a school-based capital project, issued by the State, a local government authority or other relevant entity (such as a utilities provider), requires new or improved external infrastructure or new infrastructure charge contributions.

Subject to the availability of funds in any round, Approved Authorities may apply for a subsidy of up to 50%  of costs (ex GST) for eligible independent schools in the areas of:

  • payment of infrastructure charges, as levied by a relevant entity as part of an application or proposal for development, and
  • investigation, design and construction of relevant external infrastructure, in accordance with the conditions and requirements of any formal approval process of a relevant entity.

On this page:

Funding sources

EIS operates under the Queensland Government Education (Capital Assistance) Act 1993 and the Education (Capital Assistance) Regulation 2015.

Key contact

For any inquiries or assistance regarding the EIS scheme, please contact Kylie Burnett, Executive Officer- Education and EIS Program Manager

Kylie Burnett

Executive Officer - Education

 

Eligibility


Approved Authority/School Eligibility

To be eligible for EIS grants for a school, an Approved Authority must:

  • be accredited and eligible to receive Queensland Government recurrent funds for the levels of education to which the proposed project relates, and
  • have entered into a QIS BGA Participation Agreement.

Note that ANY school-based capital project may trigger the need for EIS funds.  This includes projects that may have received CGP or SCAS funds, as well as those projects that are self-funded.

  • Project Eligibility

    Infrastructure Charges
    Infrastructure charges are evidenced by an Infrastructure Charges Notice (ICN) issued by Council or another relevant entity (such as a utilities provider). The charge must not have been paid at the time of making the application OR prior to the execution of a QIS BGA Recipient School Agreement.

    External Infrastructure Project Work
    External project works are the requirements for external infrastructure issued via a formal approval to develop any school-based capital project, such as a Council Development Approval (DA) or a State Government Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID). Additional detail on the types of EIS project works which are eligible for the making of an application may be accessed via the EIS Eligibility Help Notes.

  • Ineligible projects

    EIS funding is unable to be provided if:

    • an infrastructure charge is paid prior to the announcement of Ministerial approval
    • a contract for the project has been entered into, or site work or other work for the project has commenced, prior to the announcement of Ministerial
    • the facility has religious worship as its sole or principal purpose, and
    • the project is related to a temporary site at which special assistance is provided under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017.

    Any school-based infrastructure projects ineligible for funding under EIS, i.e. those projects internal to the school site, may be eligible for grants under a Queensland Government State Capital Assistance Scheme (SCAS) or an Australian Government Capital Grants Program (CGP) application which closes in March each year.

Application and assessment timeline


Registering an Application Expression of Interest

Indicating an intent to apply in the early planning stages of a project, via the EIS Application Expression of Interest Form, benefits applicant schools as it supports the Program Manager making contact to discuss the application process, including:

  • all eligible elements of an Infrastructure Charges Notice
  • all eligible elements of project work, and
  • the identification of any timing requirements which may influence the application round to be used.
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.

A range of information will be gathered during the application process, some of which may be personal information.  The QIS BGA Privacy Policy and Collection Notice will be available via each EIS application template as it is accessed within the GMS Client Portal.

Applicants may access either of the EIS application templates at the Published Rounds tab within in the GMS Client Portal.  Assistance with the completion of either application may be accessed via the EIS Application Help Notes.

  • Applications for infrastructure charges - EIS (ICN)

    Applications for infrastructure charges grants must be supported by an Infrastructure Charges Notice (ICN) issued by a local council or other relevant entity.

  • Applications for External Infrastructure Project Work - EIS (PW)

    Applications for Project Work grants may be submitted when:

    • an approval to develop any school-based capital project has been received by the school, overviewing the associated conditions or requirements, and
    • the plans for proposed project works have been prepared to show the details of the EIS eligible area, and
    • a detailed opinion of costs has been prepared by a professional consultant such as an Engineer or Quantity Surveyor, preferably in trade break up form.

    Dependent on the nature of the project works, the EIS Program Manager may also request further supporting information during the assessment stage of the application.

    Where projects are of a minor works nature (i.e., less than $100,000), three (3) comparable quotes should be provided as evidence of cost.

Important dates

Unlike CGP and SCAS where a single application point occurs each year, EIS applications may be submitted four times a year. EIS applications may be submitted via the Enquire grant management system at any time prior to the closing date of the relevant round:

Round title Closing dates 2025
March 2025 (MAR25) Friday, 21 Feb
 July 2025 (JUL25) Friday, 20 Jun
September 2025 (SEP25) Friday, 22 Aug
December 2025 (DEC25) Friday, 24 Oct

 

Key documents and presentations


Legislation and Guidelines

There are a range of documents and resources available to assist applicant schools to complete an application for EIS funds.

Grant administration

  • Recipient school agreement

    A Recipient School Agreement will be forwarded to the Approved Authority by QIS BGA through the GMS Client Portal immediately after the advice of Ministerial approval has been received.

  • Funding claims

    An EIS grant cannot be paid by the BGA if commencement of the work or payment of an infrastructure charge precedes any announcement of Ministerial approval.

    All EIS grants will be paid upon receipt of a Claim Form and the relevant supporting information via the GMS Client Portal at the 100% complete (in terms of value) milestone.

  • Accountability

    Once the final claim is made, schools will complete documentation provided by the BGA via the GMS Client Portal, where the External Project Supervisor and an Accountant will confirm that the grant monies were spent only on the approved project.

  • Recognition

    Recognition of the Queensland Government’s provision of EIS funding is to be provided in any publicity associated with the EIS project, including any plaque recording the completion of a project involving infrastructure works.

    Recognition of an EIS grant must be acknowledged in association with a capital project which initiated the requirement for the delivery of external infrastructure and/or the payment of infrastructure charges. This may be a capital project which has received CGP or SCAS funds or a capital project which the school has self-funded. The QIS BGA Recognition Requirements Factsheet will be available via the GMS Client Portal for all approved grants.