Step 1: Eligibility check

Places and objects must be publicly accessible and a significant community benefit anticipated.

‘Public access’ refers to places that are accessible to the broader community. A ‘significant community benefit’ may relate to programs or activities that respond to community needs. These programs or activities are not generally commercial.

You can demonstrate benefit by outlining:

• Regular visitation such as a heritage site or collection that is open to the public.
• Frequent use as a community space.
• Use for community services such as an information centre or a homeless refuge
• In addition, you may also provide letters of support from stakeholder groups to demonstrate community support.

The following parties are eligible for funding:

• A Victorian municipal council
• A community or not-for-profit organisation that is a legal entity
• A committee of management under the Crown Lands (Reserves) Act 1978
• A trust appointed pursuant to a restricted Crown grant, and cemetery trusts appointed under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003
• An owner of a privately-owned place or object, including a place of worship

Private owners must match grant funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

The Living Heritage Grants Program funds conservation works. This may include:

• Repairs to original material, such as stonework, timber joinery or windows.
• Works that mitigate a significant risk to the place, such as structural works or roof replacement.
• Works that allow the reuse of a building that is currently unused due to poor condition.

Maintenance works are not funded through this program.

• Regular maintenance activities that should normally be carried out to keep the place or object in good repair.
• Refurbishment projects involving, for example, the purchase of new carpet, and the installation of kitchens and bathrooms and construction of new buildings or new additions to heritage places.
• Repair of damage caused by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the repair of damage is covered by insurance.
• Purchase of heritage places, associated land, equipment, furniture, storage or display cabinets.
• Relocation of heritage buildings or objects.
• Demolition or other works that may affect the heritage significance of the heritage place or object.
• Interpretation projects.
• If heritage works are already being funded by another State or Commonwealth grant.
• Works that are the subject of State or Local Government ‘Emergency Works Orders’.
• Employment or remuneration of staff.
• Projects that have already started.
• Incomplete applications.
• Any other projects deemed ineligible after assessment of application.