NSW Government delivers on election promises via extensive BASC grants

The New South Wales Department of Education has launched new grant programs with funding targeted to current before and after school care (BASC) providers as well as supporting providers to create opportunities in areas of need.

Three grant streams have been designed to ensure outside school hours care (OSHC) providers are well supported in delivering affordable, flexible and quality care, to address demand and provide access to before and after school care for every NSW primary school child who needs it.

Viability Grant 

The Viability Grant offers short-term financial relief to existing services that are experiencing financial stress and have a demonstrable risk of closing in the short-term. The grant includes up to $30,000 per service to fund recurrent expenses. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, however funds are limited, and grant approval will depend upon sufficient funds being available.

Grant eligibility criteria and further details are available here. To apply for this grant program, please complete and submit the relevant application form online via SmartyGrants. 

Applications for the Viability Grant opened on 10 June 2021 and will close once limited funding has been committed.

Establishment Grant

The Establishment Grant has been designed to support the establishment of new services to increase the number of approved before and after school places for NSW primary school children.

Applicants may seek up to $40,000 (GST inclusive) to support establishment and operating expenses, pending eligibility as detailed in the guidelines. This is a competitive grant program, which will run across four rounds in 2021 and 2022.

Grant eligibility criteria and further details are available here. To apply for this grant program, please complete and submit the relevant application form online via SmartyGrants

Applications for the current and first round of Establishment Grant funding opened on Monday 12 July 2021. Information about the closing dates of each round of Establishment Grant funding is available in the guidelines.

Transport Grant

The Transport Grant funds transport solutions to increase access to BASC services. Access for students in small, regional, and rural schools is a particular priority with this grant.

Applicants for this Grant may seek up to $85,000 (GST inclusive) to fund transport-related expenses, pending eligibility as detailed in these guidelines. This is a competitive grant program, which will run across two rounds in 2021 and 2022.

Grant eligibility criteria and further details are available here. To apply for this grant program, please complete and submit the relevant application form online via SmartyGrants. 

Applications for the current and first round opened on Monday 12 July 2021. Refer to the guidelines for the closing dates of each round.

Providers and applicants with any further questions are invited to email [email protected] for support.